At the Business Incubator in Kruševac, on February 20, 2025, equipment for self-employment was ceremoniously awarded to 10 beneficiaries of the project “Reintegration II – Further Support for the Sustainable (Re)Integration of Returnees in Serbia.”
Project beneficiaries within the self-employment component received grants in the form of equipment and machinery to start their own businesses, with a value of up to €3,000, along with mentoring support and advisory services to ensure the successful operation of their businesses. Most beneficiaries have expressed readiness to register their businesses.
The ceremonial awarding of equipment was attended by representatives of the City Administration of Kruševac 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 28 unemployed individuals from hard-to-employ groups have been employed by 8 employers, who received grants to support the creation of new jobs and business growth. The total financial support for the procurement of machines and equipment amounted to over €105,000.
Previously, through project activities, 10 beneficiaries had already received self-employment grants in the form of machinery and equipment for launching their own businesses, with a financial value exceeding €30,000. Additionally, 33 beneficiaries participated in retraining and additional qualification courses, with a total value of €15,000.
For more than 450 children and young people, over 220 inclusive workshops were organized, engaging more than 20 workshop facilitators. A total of €25,000 was allocated for these project activities. Additionally, to support these and other activities, a Neighborhood Club in Kruševac was equipped, with an investment of €10,000.
A social initiative was also supported, aimed at improving accessibility to public services for people with disabilities, with a total investment of €12,000. Various local and intermunicipal training sessions, workshops, and networking meetings were held to strengthen stakeholders in the field of social protection, resulting in new initiatives and project proposals.
Through various project activities in Kruševac, more than 500 beneficiaries—returnees and individuals from vulnerable social groups—have been supported to strengthen their economic and social standing. The total project value in Kruševac amounted to €240,000, with the City of Kruševac contributing €22,882. The project runs until April 31, 2025.
The project is led by the German organization ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund), while the implementation partner is the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) from Belgrade. The project covers the Pirot, Rasina, and Raška districts and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with additional support and co-financing from the City of Kruševac.