At the Good Neighbor Club in Pirot, equipment for self-employment was ceremoniously awarded to 10 beneficiaries of this project.
Through the self-employment component, beneficiaries received grants in the form of equipment and machinery worth up to €3,000 to start their own businesses, along with mentoring support and advisory services for successful business operations. All beneficiaries expressed their readiness to register their businesses, with supported occupations including tailoring workshops, decorative item production, greenhouse farming, and other activities. This program has further enriched Pirot’s service sector while enabling project beneficiaries to secure stable incomes for themselves and their families.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Pirot, Mr. Vladan Vasić, as well as the Director of the Initiative for Development and Cooperation, Mr. Miodrag Nedeljković, along with his associates.
Since the beginning of the project, a total of 38 unemployed individuals from hard-to-employ groups have been hired by 16 employers, supported through grants aimed at job creation and business growth, with total financial assistance exceeding €142,500 provided for purchasing machinery and equipment. Additionally, 25 project beneficiaries had previously received self-employment grants for procuring machines and equipment to start their own businesses, with the financial value of this support exceeding €60,000. Training programs for retraining and additional qualifications were organized for 30 beneficiaries, with a total support value of €15,000.
For over 450 children and young people, more than 300 inclusive workshops were organized, involving more than 30 facilitators. Over €34,000 was allocated for this project activity. Furthermore, the Good Neighbor Club in Pirot was equipped for the implementation of these and other project activities, with an investment of €10,000. Two social initiatives proposed by local civil society organizations were also supported, with a total funding of €24,000.
The project also included various local and inter-municipal training sessions, courses, and networking meetings aimed at strengthening key stakeholders in the field of social protection. These activities resulted in new initiatives and project proposals.
Through various project activities, more than 600 beneficiaries—returnees and other individuals from vulnerable social groups—received support in Pirot, strengthening their economic and social standing.
The total project value in Pirot amounts to €400,000, with the City of Pirot contributing €30,000. The project will continue until April 31, 2025.
The project is led by the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), with the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade as the implementation partner. The project covers the districts of Pirot, Rasina, and Raška, with the local partner in Pirot being the Ternipe Association. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with support and co-financing from the City of Pirot.