Another successfully implemented project: Social inclusion and economic empowerment of Roma population in 11 municipalities in Serbia
Another project in which IDC participated as an implementation partner of ASB SEE was successfully completed this month. The project “Social inclusion and economic empowerment of the Roma population in 11 municipalities in Serbia”, was released in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, and financed by the German Development Bank – KfW.
The results of the project exceeded expectations. Instead of the planned 2,000, a total of 10,000 visits were made to educational, creative and psychosocial workshops for children and inclusive workshops for adults. Total of 121 beneficiaries completed the basic business training, and as many as 100 beneficiaries went through VET or retraining programs and acquired skills and knowledge that increase their chances on the labor market.
“Social inclusion of all vulnerable groups and their economic and other empowerment is a priority of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs. Through such projects, the network of support expands and resources are pooled,” said Biljana Zekavica, assistant to the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, on the occasion of final conference of the project, held in the Media Center on August 26, 2022.
Mr. Rudinger Hartman, director of the German development bank KfW for Serbia, and Mr. Christian Siling, First Secretary and head of the department for international development cooperation at the German Embassy in Belgrade, emphasized on this occasion:
“The preparation of this complex and multifaceted program took time. The total cost of the program so far is 20.8 million euros, of which the German contribution is about 12 million euros, and the national contribution of the Government of the RS is about 9 million euros,” said Rudinger Hartman, director of the German development bank KfW for Serbia.
“Germany wants the Republic of Serbia to become a member of the EU family.” The efforts carried out by ASB, with its partners, are extremely important for the entire program, because these soft measures support investments in social infrastructure, which would be empty without people. We also hope for the 2nd phase of the project,” said Christian Siling, First Secretary and Head of the Department for International Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Belgrade.
