Donor: EU funded project managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction

Duration: December 2004 - December 2005

Budget: 1.145.894,74 EUR

Region: municipalities of Aleksinac and Kikinda

Description: In December 2004 HELP started the implementation of the EU funded project managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction - “Supporting the National Strategy for the Closure of Collective Centres in Serbia”. This project aims to support the government efforts in gradual closure of the remaining collective centres, which are currently accommodating refugees from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as IDPs from Kosovo. It focuses on the sustainable integration of the refugee population through activities in the fields of durable housing solutions and associated infrastructure, support to sustainable livelihood through provision of trainings and income generation schemes for refugees, IDP's and local economically disadvantaged population, local and regional capacity building measures for related authorities and institutions.The main objectives of this project are to:

• provide information on integration and return options;

• assist refugee families in solving their housing situation in Serbia;

• assist targeted families in achieving sustainable livelihood through income generation activities and job training;

• strengthen the capacity of municipal authorities and other local stakeholders in the development sector in order to become direct, reliable partners of international and local donors and governmental agencies in near future;

• enhance level of services and capacity of social and other public institutions;

• promote closer cooperation between non- governmental organizations and local authorities in the targeted municipalities.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives the project consists of the following components:

1. Construction component - construction of one apartment building with 24 housing units on the territory of Kikinda municipality, as well as construction of 14 independent houses with 2 housing units each on the territory of Aleksinac municipality.

2. Income-Generation component - support to 60 start-up businesses in the form of in-kind grants (equipment and/or material), business and vocational trainings, as well as providing professional follow-up and advice regarding the legal registration and other business issues. To enhance the results of the intervention, HELP is additionally involved in local capacity building, support to social or other public institutions and dissemination of information related to the return of refugees/IDPs.

3. Local capacity building - the purpose of this component is that municipal authorities further develop their knowledge of European Union management through the involvement in all the phases of the construction and IGA project component. Currently it is ongoing realization of the mentoring course for municipal's representatives, and it is planned five days seminar for Municipal officers.

Belgrade office, May 2005
Programme Manager Joanna Melinska at mentoring course for representatives of Aleksinac and Kikinda municipality

4. Support to social or other public institutions - the aim of the project is to support at least one social or other public institutions per municipality in expanding their capacity or raising the level of their services. For the activities that are to be implemented an Agreement between HELP and the municipality will be concluded.

5. Information related to the return of refugees/IDPs- HELP in cooperation with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) offer information related to the return of refugees/IDPs in the countries of origin.
HELP in cooperation with Balkan Youth Association (AMB) offer information related to the return of the refugees from SCG to BIH.

Information campaign in Kikinda municipality- the Mayor Mr. Blazic, representatives of Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, HELP, INTERSOS and DRC

Information campaign in Aleksinac municipality- representatives of Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, HELP, INTERSOS, European Perspective and trustee office of Aleksinac municipality

Ongoing activities
Construction component

Construction component – durable housing solution for refugees:

Within the frame of the project "Supporting the National Strategy for the Closure of Collective Centers" funded by EU, managed by European Agency for Reconstruction and implemented by HELP, in Kikinda, the project is funding the construction works for contracted amount of 331.807EUR of an apartment building composed of 24 dwelling units located in Block 35, St. Nikola Aleksica, and aiming at provision of durable housing solution for refugees from collective centres in Kikinda. The works started on July, 15 2005. For realization of this project Municipality of KIkinda provided location and infrastructure.

The selection process of dwelling unit beneficiaries was announced on July, 21 2005 through official communication posted in the Municipality building and the premises of collective centres Sumice and Jezero. There were 24 final beneficiaries selected.  .

The construction works of 14 independent houses with 2 housing units on the territory of Aleksinac municipality, locations of „Brdjanka“ and „Livade“ for refugees from collective centers from Aleksinac municipality started on 8th and 21st September 2005. For realization of this project Municipality of Aleksinac provided location and infrastructure. 28 final households, tenants of collective centers, have been selected for dwelling units allotment.
In both municipalities, Aleksinac and Kikinda, a community work for members of selected beneficiaries has been organized and realized.

April 2006, Kikinda
Building site in Kikinda

March 2006, Aleksinac
Building site in Aleksinac