Niš, 3.12.2020.
Closing conference of the “Employment support package’’ project, implemented by Association for Development of Children and Youth – OPEN CLUB from Niš, in partnership with Association for Development of Creativity from Aleksinac, was held today in “Media and reform center” in Niš.
This action is part of the global project “European Union Support to Active Youth Inclusion”, with total value of 4.7 million EUR, financed by the European Union and co-funded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
The significance of this project is in increasing the employment of various vulnerable groups, mainly social services beneficiaries in Niš and Aleksinac, through the implementation measures of active inclusion and promotion of multi-sectoral cooperation at the local level.
Jovan Marinković, Project Manager of the “Employment support package” project, presented project objectives, aims, activities, and achieved results, where he expressed the importance of economic development of Serbia through increased employment with the application of appropriate programs and strategies. During the 24 months of the project, 60 beneficiaries from various vulnerable groups were trained through vocational trainings and pre-qualification programs, 3 trainings in the field of communication were held, as well as 3 workshops for 60 entrepreneurs and employers, with continuous mentor work of mobile team and psychosocial support to beneficiaries. In addition, a campaign for active inclusion and advocacy for multisectoral cooperation at the local level was implemented.
The development and improvement of human capital is essential for the strategy and employment policy. Raising the quality of workforce through education, training and social inclusion of individuals and groups in a state of social exclusion, contribute to the social and economic development of the Republic of Serbia.
The “European Union Support to Active Youth Inclusion” project, total value of which is EUR 4.7 million, financed by the European Union and co-funded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, aims to ensure greater social inclusion of youth population in Serbia by increasing of employment, youth activity, work experience and entrepreneurship practice among youth population. Through the project the EU and Government of Serbia has granted 24 grants, which will be implemented in more than 35 cities and municipalities in Serbia by the end of 2021. The projects implemented by the national and provincial social welfare institutions, municipalities and cities, citizens associations, foundations and educational institutions will increase the scope and quality of services at the local level in education and employment, innovative practice, active inclusion mechanisms and models and thereby strengthen the social inclusion of youth. The impact and tangible outcomes of the project are expected at all levels concerning the overall readiness and increased capacities of relevant institutions for the innovative development and management of youth active inclusion measures, policy development in line with best EU practices, and effective use of related EU financial assistance.
The project is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes (CFCU), while the project beneficiary institutions are the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sports
More about the project can be found on www.ukljucivanjemladih.rs
The European Union’s donations to Serbia exceed EUR 3.6 billion from 2000 to date. The funds have been used to support development, quality of life and reforms in: civil protection, flood relief and protection, education, connectivity, environment, health and consumer protection, culture, rule of law, local development, jobs and growth, public administration, migration, public financial management, civil society and media, social inclusion, youth and sport. EU support is implemented in cooperation with the Government of Serbia. The European Union is a larger donor of development aid to Serbia than all other international donors put together.
