The DESCO project is co-funded by the Hungary-Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020. The leading partner is Town Ludbreg, while the partners are Town Prelog and Town Letenye. The project started with implementation on the 1. November 2017. and will last until 28. February 2019. The total value of the project is 263.657,80 €.

The DESCO project is based on the common need, strengthening co-operation between Municipalities and all other stakeholders with the same or similar characteristics. Due to the general economic crisis that pervades most of Europe, the link between institutions, representatives of civil society, entrepreneurs and a wide circle of stakeholders has become a necessity. Cross-border areas are suspicious, they do not dare launch initiatives, joint programs, because they have no common and unique methodology of action. These are the main issues that the DESCO project addresses and which will be dealt through the implementation.

Planned project activities are related to the establishment of tools for cross-border connectivity for entrepreneurs, farmers, institutes, local self-government units, representatives of civil society, education sector, crafts, institutes and educational institutions. The project will also develop common approaches to identify existing problems, a base of best project and initiatives in the cross-border area with a clear elaboration of the methodology for their making. All project activities are designed in a way that citizens, organizations and institutions are being encouraged to write and implement projects, programs and initiatives, which will be facilitated through the development of a common methodology, transfer of good practice in areas closely related to entrepreneurship, economy, development of civil society, introduction of new technologies, social inclusion and education.

“The project framework and all the activities that will be carried out under the DESCO project are aimed at linking and networking as many stakeholders as possible, to encourage discussion of the problems that exist in the cross-border area, to develop methods for their solution. So the main aim is to strengthen the existing structures, processes, human capital and to foster local development in the future” – said Petra Međimurec, project manager and senior co-ordinator for development projects of Town Ludbreg.