We are proud of the successes of our beneficiaries as well as the partnership between ASB, IDC, and the City of Pirot, as we jointly create successful business opportunities for our beneficiaries. After business training, where they had the opportunity to learn in detail about running and managing their own business, marketing and advertising, as well as finance and the legal framework, Dijana and her husband received equipment to open a hairdressing and beauty salon. They are one of 10 newly opened businesses in Pirot.
Opening small businesses at the local level is extremely important for economic stability and market diversity. Small businesses not only contribute to the local economy by creating jobs but also encourage innovation and a diverse range of services and products. A developed local market with various businesses plays a crucial role in improving the living conditions for people from vulnerable categories. Through targeted financial support, individuals have the opportunity to realize their business ideas and become economically independent. Such programs not only help individuals but also have a positive impact on the wider community by increasing employment and economic activity.
In the third round of activities, support is planned for another 10 beneficiaries in the self-employment component. The total results of the project in Pirot so far are:
- 30 beneficiaries employed by 13 employers
- 15 greenhouses allocated in Pirot and the region
- 10 more beneficiaries supported in the self-employment component
- Training organized for 26 beneficiaries in the field of retraining and further qualification
- The Dobrosusedski Club Pirot opened
- More than 197 workshops held for over 350 children and young people
- Two seminars held to strengthen social services at the local level
- Two grants awarded to support social initiatives in the territory of the City of Pirot to local associations
The project will support more than 800 beneficiaries in Pirot to strengthen their economic and social position and improve their integration into the community. Support is planned through the provision of self-employment subsidies, various business training and retraining and further qualification training, subsidies to employers for creating new jobs and employing returnees under the readmission agreement and other hard-to-employ categories of the population, support for children and young people through inclusive workshops, and the development of institutional capacities in the field of social protection at the local level.
The total value of the project for the City of Pirot is €400,000, and the project will last until April 31, 2025. Information about project activities, open calls, and more will be available on the project website www.reintegration.net, as well as on the websites of the City of Pirot, partner organizations, and associations.
The project is led by the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), with the implementation partner being the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade. The beneficiary districts of the project are Pirot, Rasina, and Raška. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with the support and co-financing of the City of Pirot.