A ceremony was held in Novi Pazar to mark the provision of support for the employment of 20 individuals from more challenging employment groups. These individuals will be employed in newly opened positions with a total of 10 employers, supported by equipment and machinery procurement to enhance business growth, with a subsidy of €3,750.00 per newly opened job position.
At the same event, 11 individuals from more challenging employment categories received contracts for subsidies for self-employment. Under these contracts, each individual will have equipment and machinery procured for the commencement of their own business, valued at up to €3,000.00, along with mentorship and counseling support.
The ceremonial signing of contracts was attended by the Mayor of Novi Pazar, Mr. Nihat Biševac, representatives of the city of Novi Pazar and the Regional Development Agency SEDA, as well as a representative of the Initiative for Development and Cooperation IDC, which implements the REINTEGRATE II project aimed at supporting returnees and other socially vulnerable residents of the Raška District through economic, psychosocial, and institutional support measures.
The ceremonial signing of the contracts was attended by the Mayor of Novi Pazar, Mr. Nihat Biševac, representatives of the city of Novi Pazar, and the Regional Development Agency SEDA. Also present was a representative of the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC), which is implementing the REINTEGRATE II project. This project is designed to provide support to returnees and other socially vulnerable residents of the Raška District through economic, psychosocial, and institutional support measures.
In the previous cycle of the project, a total of 22 unemployed individuals from more challenging employment groups were employed by 11 employers with grants provided to employers for opening new job positions and expanding business. Additionally, support was extended to 12 agricultural producers for the procurement of planting material and equipment to develop raspberry production, with a total investment of €112,500.00.
Through various project activities, over 400 beneficiaries in Novi Pazar will be supported to strengthen their economic and social standing. This support includes economic, psychosocial, and institutional assistance packages. In addition to support for the employment of unemployed individuals from more challenging employment categories with established employers and assistance through subsidies for self-employment, the project also provides support through various business training programs, requalification and qualification training, as well as support for children and youth through the implementation of inclusive workshops. Furthermore, the project contributes to the development of institutional capacities in the field of social protection at the local level by supporting the development or improvement of social services locally.
The total value of the project in Novi Pazar is 310,000.00 euros, and the project is scheduled to last until April 31, 2025. Information about project activities, open calls, and other details are available on the project’s website www.reintegracija.net.
The project is led by the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), with the implementing partner being the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade. The beneficiary regions in the project are the Pirotski, Rasinski, and Raški districts. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with the support and co-financing from the City of Novi Pazar.