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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government sets aside RSD 650m for population policy measures in 2019

Belgrade, 14 February 2019

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic chaired today the fifth session of the Population Policy Council, where it was announced that RSD 650 million have been allocated from the state budget for the co-financing of the population policy measures in 2019, which is RSD 150 million more than last year and five times more than in 2017.

Minister without portfolio in charge of demography and population policy Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic specified that these funds have been used for the reconstruction and adaptation of existing and construction of new kindergartens.

In this way, the capacities of preschool institutions have been increased by 1,000 new places, nursery schools were created in rural areas, greenhouses purchased for young married couples, as well as machinery and equipment for starting a private business, the construction of apartments was completed and 10 village houses were purchased.

Ultrasound devices and vehicles for the community nursing system were purchased, and significant work was done on establishing the counselling offices for pregnant women, reproductive health, parenting schools and youth counselling centres.

The Minister expressed her hope that this year cities and municipalities will focus on other segments, especially on creating balance between work and parenting, migration management and the issues of the elderly and active aging of citizens.

She stated that a public call for allocating grants for co-financing population policy measures will be announced tomorrow, on 15 February, so that local governments can have enough time to apply and spend funds for the planned projects by the end of this year.

The meeting also dealt with the issue of migration of young highly educated people.

Djukic-Dejanovic said that migration is a phenomenon that cannot be prevented by any state, but that it is necessary to create a more favourable environment for young people to stay in Serbia or to return to Serbia after studying abroad.

Prime Minister Brnabic and members of the Council were also informed about a joint campaign implemented by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Serbian government, and that is presenting companies with the "Family Friend" award.

This recognition will be given to companies which, in addition to achieving good business results, have created a family-friendly environment that enables their employees to reconcile work and parenting.