Social Protection Services Improved for 3,000 Citizens with the Support of the Swiss Government

The total value of support provided by the Swiss Government through two public calls of the Swiss PRO Programme under the slogan "Join Forces, Provide Support" is over 530,000 euros, while local self-governments co-funded the project in the amount of about 170,000 euros. Also, local self-governments received technical support for the development and implementation of social protection services, such as home care and a senior club for the elderly, a personal assistant and day care center for people with disabilities and counseling for families, youth and children.

"Improving the position of vulnerable groups is the policy of the Government of Serbia and the priority of the social protection system. Local self-governments are one of the most important parts of the system and support for strengthening their capacities is very valuable because in the future they should become even more important bearers of social protection and social policy at the local level", pointed out Biljana Zekavica, Assistant Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs.

Improving social inclusion is one of the key priorities of Swiss development cooperation with Serbia, and close cooperation between Swiss PRO and national and local partners has contributed to observable progress in this area, said Melina Papageorgiou, Head of Governance at the Swiss Cooperation Office in Serbia.

"Greater quality, scope and inclusiveness of public services for citizens, especially social protection services for vulnerable groups, is an important aspect of public administration reform. The COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a challenge for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, and the Swiss government plans to continue to support partners in furthering these important public services”, Papageorgiou said.

Director of the UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office Michela Telatin pointed out that local self-governments have successfully used the Swiss PRO Programme as a tool to do some heavy lifting in the domain of social protection for essential advances in this area.

"I am really proud that our joint activities have improved the quality of life for 3,000 people throughout Serbia. I would like to thank the Ministry of Labour for its guidance and cooperation, the Swiss Government for having social inclusion and good governance as their priorities and all the financial contribution being provided, especially for response to COVID-19 consequences, and I would like to congratulate the local self-governments for their leadership and commitment to implement the change at social level that really allows not to leave anyone behind", Telatin concluded.

Certificates for successful implementation of projects were awarded to local self-governments Arilje, Babusnica, Bela Palanka, Blace, Brus, Cuprija, Gadzin Han, Ivanjica, Krupanj, Lebane, Loznica, Medvedja, Mionica, Negotin, Novi Pazar, Paracin, Pirot, Pozarevac, Prijepolje, Prokuplje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Sabac, Sjenica, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Topola, Tutin, Uzice and Zagubica.

In addition to the results of supported projects, the event presented the experience of the City of Loznica in improving social protection services with the support of Swiss PRO and presented examples of good practice of the Municipality of Sjenica that introduced the sensory room service.