The Association of business women Vranje and the association “Life Aid” (Životna pomoć, Vranje), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy of the Republic of Serbia organized a “Women’ social economy mini fair” on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

Four Help beneficiaries supported through self-employment projects, presented themselves at the fair exhibiting their products and services.
Ms. Dragana Stankovic from Vladicin Han, registered entrepreneur, creates souvenirs, ornaments and other decorative items made of wood, chipboard and MDF. The most claimed items are ambiance chandeliers and wall and floor lanterns.

Her fellow citizen Olivera Dimitrijevic, after 20 years registered her own clothing production shop, and now produces all sorts of clothes for women and men.
Ms. Jelena Stanisavljevic from Vranje is designing and sewing handbags. Jelena sells her products on the internet.

Another Vranje fellow citizen, Ms. Jelena Stanisavljevic is also in the design and couture business, exclusively for children (dresses, birthday costumes, hair accessories, outfits, and outfits for special occasions and celebrations).

Yet, the most noticeable exhibition stands were those of the women from the association / social enterprise “Tradicija juga” (Tradition of the South) for pastry, pie and cookies production and the local traditional dish.
“Tradicija juga” was established within Help project in 2010, and now employs 15 women, mostly from socially vulnerable categories. Moreover, Tradicija cooperates with at least 30 women farmers who are supplying bakery with fresh supplies of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, even flower, for traditional baker’s products.

Eighteen women-entrepreneurs from Pcinja district, previously supported through national and donor’s programmes with grants to start-up their micro businesses, displayed their products at the Fair.

During a tight three-day schedule Ms. Settele and the Help Serbia team visited five cities and municipalities with the most vibrant Help activities ongoing through several projects for migrants/refugees assistance, income generating activities, and flood relief assistance.

In Bogovadja she witnessed the renovated asylum centre with 250 beds capacity, equipped with a new kitchen, totalling assistance provided nearly 200.000 EUR.
In Sombor Help built a reception/asylum centre with 150 beds, intended for accommodation of migrants/refugees during the crisis, but in the long run the centre is intended for the care of local vulnerable population groups, educational purposes and accommodation. In addition, six combined containers (for accommodation, storage, medical assistance, with sanitary blocks) were procured and delivered to the Reception centre Sombor. Sombor was also assisted with the ambulance vehicle with medical equipment, health centre reconstructed and equipped, as well as the Red Cross soup kitchen reconstructed and furnished with appliances.

In Pirot, Ms. Settele also visited the centre for temporary accommodation of migrants renovated and equipped through the EU and German funds, but also paid a visit to a Help supported recycling cooperative for the marginalized population, and greenhouse flower growing Roma producer.

In Nis, she observed the assistance provided to the Correctional institution and other Roma recycling cooperative established through German funds.
In Svilajnac Ms. Settele visited couple of beneficiaries supported within the EU assistance for flood relief in Serbia, whose houses were constructed, reconstructed and income generating activities rehabilitated within the programme.

“I’m very pleased that with the support from the German Government and the European Union we have been able to assist refugees as well as local disadvantaged groups in Serbia in different sectors in order to improve their situation.” said Ms. Settele after the visit, with appreciation of the coordinated and quality cooperation with national and local stakeholders and partner organizations throughout the migrants crisis.