Target districts of the project: Niš, Pčinja, Jablanica, Pirot, Zaječar and Bor.
This three-year project was launched in November 2020, within the framework of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is a joint initiative of CARE and its partner organizations NEXUS from Vranje and ENECA from Niš, whose goal is to increase the capacity of vulnerable population groups in South-Eastern Serbia to recognize opportunities for social and economic inclusion in their home region and to critically review their opportunities for emigration to developed countries.
The target groups are people who returned to Serbia through readmission agreements, and also local economically vulnerable population groups, including youth, Roma, unemployed women and similar groups, who tend to emigrate to Western countries.
The project aims at increasing the awareness of Serbian decision-makers about the economic and social needs of the target group and at the same time at increasing the awareness of users about their rights. It bases its activities on constant analysis of the context among users, organizing an information campaign for the target population, continuous individual counseling and support for returnees, including psychosocial support and establishing synergy with similar initiatives in the country.
As part of the economic support to the target beneficiaries, the project is expected to create new fields of employment for returnees and vulnerable categories of citizens in southeastern Serbia. Employment support training will be provided for 660 beneficiaries, and a grant scheme in equipment and machines for self-employment and employment for a minimum of 150 people. It is planned to organize professional practice in cooperation with local companies for 100 graduates.
The project tends to increase the sensitivity and capacity of local authorities and institutions, primarily educational, for more successful integration of returnees. This includes training of school experts for the integration of returnees into the school system, specific integration initiatives, the use of forum theater methodology in identifying roles and problems, and advocacy/awareness measures aimed at stakeholders and decision makers at all levels.
You can download the necessary documents for applying to the competition HERE.