With the support of the European Union, 20 families were moved into social housing in Vrnjačka Banja

Today, 20 families have moved into a newly built building for social housing in Vrnjačka Banja. The program "European Union Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion" provided fully furnished and equipped apartments for families belonging to the most vulnerable social groups from Vrnjačka Banja.

The keys to the new apartments were handed over by the Mayor of Vrnjačka Banja Boban Đurović, program manager at the EU Delegation in Serbia Gerhard Salzer, Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Tomislav Žigmanov, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Krsto Janjušević, the president of the National Council of the Roma National Minority Dalibor Nakić, and the manager of the "EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion" programme and UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office representative Dragana Milošević.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Vrnjačka Banja Boban Đurović, with words of gratitude to the partners who made the project possible.

"With the support of our partners, and I can freely say also friends who are with us today, we managed to successfully implement the project "Decent Life - contribution to the social inclusion of Roma and other marginalised groups through improved housing and social integration measures in the municipality of Vrnjacka Banja" which, just as the name suggests, provides a dignified life for 23 families living in the territory of our municipality, i.e. sustainable housing solutions accompanied by active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population.

The Mayor pointed out that by building a residential building according to the European Union standards, the citizens were enabled to start a new life chapter in a more beautiful and pleasant environment.

"In addition to the built and equipped housing units, a children's playground was also built, which I believe will be filled with children's laughter and play every day," Đurović concluded.

Minister Žigmanov praised the municipality's efforts in taking care of the most vulnerable population. "With the support of partners and UNOPS, this building was built for 20 families, with programs that will contribute to better integration of part of the population of the municipality, be a support and protection when it comes to other groups and prove the fundamental commitment of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and that is, that the equality of all citizens must be fully realised, that the historical inequalities that we have found must be excluded from society, and that all citizens, regardless of their ethnic and social status, regardless of whether they have been victims of some form of violence, are provided with equal opportunities and a dignified life."

Gerhard Salzer, representative of the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia, pointed out that the EU allocated 27 million euros for the program "EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion", and that it was designed to improve the implementation of social policies in Serbia. Salcer shared his satisfaction at witnessing the moving of 20 families into new, fully furnished and equipped apartments, because, according to his words, this is the support of the European Union in action.

The donation of the European Union for the implementation of social housing and active inclusion project in Vrnjačka Banja amounts to 740,000 euros, and part of the financing in the amount of 115,000 euros was provided by the Municipality.

Krsto Janjušević, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, assessed that this is an extremely important project. "Even today, when we hand over the keys to members of the Roma national minority, to women victims of domestic violence, to young people who are leaving the social protection system, we are witnessing the journey from a person with social needs to a person with a dignified life, which would not be easy to cross if we hadn't worked together on this project,'' Janjušević concluded.

The President of the National Council of the Roma National Minority Dalibor Nakić, emphasised that every citizen has the right to live in conditions worthy of a civilized person of the 21st century. "Certainly, the responsibility of the authorities is reflected in their attitude towards the most vulnerable categories of the population, and this building is just one of the indicators that Serbia is becoming a better and better place for life not only for Roma but also for citizens who fall into other socially vulnerable categories of the population. The significance of this project is that it is accompanied by active inclusion measures, that adults will be employed, that children will be included in the education system", adding that it is very important that not only Roma live in the building, but also members of the majority population, which is a true model of inclusion.

According to Dragana Milošević, representative of UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office, which implements the programme "EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion", UNOPS is completely committed to its mission - to help people build a better life and countries to achieve peace and sustainable development.

"That's why today we are happy to be part of a big step in the lives of these people and to continuously support Serbian national and local institutions and the European Union in securing a better future and hope for those who need it. We leave no one behind," Milošević said.

"While today we admire this newly built building behind us, we must not forget that what makes this programme sustainable is support for beneficiaries in employment, self-employment, access to health and social care services, psychosocial support, furnishing apartments with furniture and household appliances. A roof over their head is the starting point for the inclusion of our beneficiaries in society. The programme "European Union Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion" is an additional, key step towards ensuring a dignified life for members of the most vulnerable groups, those who need support the most'', Milošević concluded.

Sonja Ibić, a beneficiary of the programme, addressed the audience and said that she is very happy about the apartment she got and where she will live with her family. "I lived in bad conditions. When it rained, it leaked from all sides, I had neither water nor a bathroom," adding that her son, as part of the project, completed training as a ceramicist, that he will receive work equipment, and that he is already working and earning for the family.

The European Union has allocated 27 million euros for the "EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion" programme, which, in addition to Vrnjačka Banja, is implemented in 18 other cities and municipalities in Serbia. Within this Programme, 381 families receive a roof over their heads and support in active inclusion.