The AER Working Group on International Solidarity has undertaken a study visit to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) projects in Serbia, in order to ascertain how AER Member Regions could engage in UNDP-administered development cooperation schemes on the ground in countries such as Serbia, Morocco and Lebanon.

After a visit on the 16th April to the UNDP Serbia representation in Belgrade and a meeting with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, representatives from the Working Group (regions of Bourgogne, Auvergne, Brussels-Capital, Hedmark and Essex) travelled to the Southern Serbian city of Leskovac on the 17th April, where UNDP projects on regional economic development are currently being developed.

During this visit, the group identified a number of potential topics for AER involvement: among them the training of local administration, economic development strategies and targeted policies to address the demographic challenges of the area.

The Working Group members will be following up the contacts in Serbia and plan to extend their activities to other countries, such as Morocco.

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