In Kruševac, grant agreements for starting their own businesses were awarded to 10 beneficiaries of the “Reintegration II” project, and contracts were signed with five employers who will hire 12 unemployed project beneficiaries. The value of individual grants is up to €3,000 per beneficiary for starting their own business, or €3,750 per beneficiary for employment with the five employers.
In addition to grants, beneficiaries also received mentoring and counseling support to ensure the successful operation of their businesses. Furthermore, almost all beneficiaries expressed readiness to register their businesses in their applications. A total of €60,000, or just over 7,050,000 RSD, was allocated for this project component.
The supported beneficiaries applied with the following professions:
- Greenhouse fruit and vegetable farming
- Furniture making from panel materials
- Furniture wing production
- Welding equipment – two beneficiaries
- Production of transport boxes
- Furniture production
- Pedicure, manicure, and makeup services – two beneficiaries
- Building cleaning agency
Contracts were also awarded to five employers who will hire 12 project beneficiaries. Employers will receive equipment, machinery, and tools to improve processes or expand production capacity.
The contribution to the development of these activities promotes the diversity of services offered within the community and contributes to economic growth. Investment in the local market is a key initiative aimed at supporting economic development and the social inclusion of hard-to-employ groups. Small grants like these are particularly important as they provide flexibility in the use of funds, tailored to the specific needs of each beneficiary, contributing to a personalized support approach and increasing the chances of business success.
The grants were also provided through the procurement of new equipment and machinery, with the value of the grants awarded to employers amounting to €3,750 per new job created. The total amount disbursed under this support line is €105,000, or just over 12,337,000 RSD.
As part of the project, a total of 20 self-employment subsidies were awarded, seven employers hired 28 unemployed individuals, and 33 beneficiaries have completed or will complete requalification and additional qualification training. The Good- neighborhood Club in Kruševac has been equipped, where, along with other spaces, more than 220 inclusive workshops will be held by the end of the project. A social initiative was also launched – the opening of an office for citizens with temporary disabilities, reduced independence, and various forms of disabilities. This office will include a computer with software for the blind, a large screen, a computer with sign language instructions, and a computer for people with reduced mobility.
The total value of the project in the City of Kruševac is €240,360, with the City contributing €30,000. The project will run until April 30, 2024. The key goal of the project is to contribute to the sustainable (re)integration of returnees and vulnerable local populations in central and southern Serbia.
The project is led by the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), with the main implementation partner being the Initiative for development and cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade. The beneficiary regions of the project are the Pirot, Rasina, and Raška districts. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).