Reintegrate II – Kruševac – awarding of 10 self-employment grants

At the Business Incubator in Kruševac, on February 20, 2025, equipment for self-employment was ceremoniously awarded to 10 beneficiaries of the project “Reintegration II – Further Support for the Sustainable (Re)Integration of Returnees in Serbia.” The ceremonial awarding of equipment was attended by representatives of the City Administration of Kruševac as well as the Director of the Initiative for Development and Cooperation, Mr. Miodrag Nedeljković, along with his associates.

Project beneficiaries within the self-employment component received grants in the form of equipment and machinery to start their own businesses, along with mentoring support and advisory services to ensure the successful operation of their businesses. Most beneficiaries have expressed readiness to register their businesses.

Since the start of the project, a total of 28 unemployed persons from the more difficult to employ groups have been employed by 8 employers, who received grants to support the creation of new jobs and business growth. Various project activities in Kruševac supported more than 500 beneficiaries – returnees and other persons from vulnerable social groups, with the aim of strengthening their economic and social position. One social initiative was also supported, within which the provision of accessibility to public services for persons with disabilities was nominated. Various local and inter-municipal trainings, trainings and meetings were held to connect and strengthen actors from the field of social protection, which resulted in new initiatives and project proposals.

The project holder is the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), while the implementation partner is the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade. The user districts of the project are Pirotski, Rasinski and Raški okrug. The project was financed by the funds of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with the support and co-financing of the City of Kruševac.