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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Social inclusion of marginalised groups of children and the young

Belgrade, 3 June 2010

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic announced the realisation of projects “Hundred languages of diversity” and “Support to families of mentally disadvantaged children” whose aim is the social inclusion of marginalised groups of the young, especially mentally disadvantaged ones.

Author: Fonet

Ljajic stated at a press conference that these projects are financed by the Italian government with €2 million.

The Minister voiced the hope that the programme “Support to families of mentally disadvantaged children” will reduce the number of children put into social care centres and institutions by helping their biological families keep them at home and provide them with the necessary care at centres for daily care. This project will provide funds for opening daily care centres and for development of special foster care families in 20 municipalities in Serbia, of which 14 are underdeveloped.

Ljajic specified that almost 1,000 children in Serbia live in social care centres and institutions. The Ministry’s goal is to reduce this number to a minimum in the foreseeable future.. The project “Hundred languages of diversity” will enable the development of local services in the system of social care. To this end, Kragujevac, Loznica and Novi Sad will receive €500,000 for its realisation, the Minister explained.

Speaking about the future law on social care, the Minister outlined that RSD 4.2 billion will be needed for its full implementation.

Ljajic voiced the hope that these funds will be provided, if not in their full amount, then at least for financial assistance to the families, which requires RSD 3 billion.

The new law envisages that 85,000 families receive social care assistance instead of the present 67,000. Italian Ambassador to Serbia Armando Varricchio said that Serbia’s and Italy’s good cooperation is being confirmed every day at political, economic and cultural levels. He underlined that it is imperative to take care of the social needs of the most vulnerable society groups and that these projects show that it is possible to do so.