GFM continues to support most vulnerable in Serbia

2019-04-17

Arbeiter Samariter Bund Offices in Serbia started with implementation of new project „Direct socio-economic assistance to extremely vulnerable families in Serbia“ . Project is funded by German Foreign Ministry together with local municipalities Ub and Kursevac and ASB.

Project goal is to contribute to the socio-economic inclusion of particularly vulnerable social cases and their families in Serbia and to create decent living conditions with regards to employment opportunities for at least 45 socially vulnerable families living in rural areas, amongst whom are returnee families in Krusevac and Ub. ASB will implement this project through provision of agricultural, grant-based economic packages for job creation and to promote public/private partnership for the benefit of the target group.

This week, first MoU was signed between representatives of ASB and Municipality of Krusevac as a first step through implementation of this project.

This is direct assistance to socially vulnerable families from rural areas who will, besides the greenhouses and the accompanying equipment, also get training for the production of certain agricultural crops – said the Mayor of the Krusevac, Jasmina Palurovic.

ASB Director for Serbia, Gordan Velev, said that project is currently being implemented in Krusevac and Ub, with provision of 45 greenhouses in total, out of which 25 will get vulnerable families from the area of ​​Krusevac.

These are not start up grants, but a very simple intervention, aiming to provide some kind of incoming activity to those in need. All this would not be possible if the City of Krusevac hasn’t been cooperative with the humanitarian sector as well – said Velev.

The awarding with the greenhouses should start by the end of the summer, after choosing of users and greenhouses who will be obligated to do this business for the next two years.

After the signing of the Agreement, the project will be presented to potential beneficiaries. Priority will be given to socially vulnerable families with people with disabilities or victims of violence, single mothers, and families with a larger number of members.

ASB and the City of Krusevac have been partners for decades in different projects and ventures. Among other things, two buildings for social housing have been built, and since last year there is a 200,000 euro project funded by the European Union, addressed to housing issue for 18 families. Also, many families will, through projects implemented by City and ASB together, get start up grants to start your own business.