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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

New projects for poverty reduction approved

Belgrade, 23 November 2005

Serbian Assistant Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Policy Vladimir Ilic, the UNDP deputy standing representative to Serbia-Montenegro Ratislav Vrbensky and head of the programme of the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) Benoit Hambukers signed today with representatives of 51 institutions agreements on the realisation of the projects of the second competition of the Fund for Social Innovations (FSI).

Hambukers said after the signing of the agreements that the total value of the projects, which will deal with the development of social protection services, stands at 107.5 million dinars, and added that they will be implemented by institutions of social protection system, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and local self-governments.

He said that the approved programmes will contribute to poverty reduction in local communities and offer support to children, the elderly, disabled, marginalised social groups, victims of violence and families in crisis, as well as to other groups that require help.

Director of the FSI Danilo Vukovic said that the fund wishes to aid the process of reforms in social policy in Serbia by offering financial support to the public, non-governmental and non-profit sector, by systemising and transferring knowledge and experience that has been gained, which will contribute to defining new measures that lead to economic prosperity and socially secure citizens.

According to Vukovic, thanks to the financial help provided by the Serbian government, UNDP and EAR and the government of Norway, from 2003 to 2005 with the realisation of the competition project “Partnership to change”, 20 counselling facilities, 14 day centres, 15 home care and help services, six day-care centres for children, 21 clubs for users, 12 SOS telephone lines, 20 mobile teams and six free legal advice services have been established.

Vukovic said that in 2006 the FSI will realise the third competition for poverty reduction in local communities, as well as the project for offering support to social services in 20 municipalities.