2024-11-12

Support for improving the living conditions of informal waste pickers within the PRO program

Better access to healthcare, education, and social services, training, mentorship, and support for employment

The "PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature" program, implemented by United Nations agencies with financial support from the Swiss Government, will enhance the living conditions of around 1,600 informal waste pickers and their families.

The Swiss Government has allocated 2 million euros to improve their economic standing, social inclusion, and access to public services, as stated during the launch of the initiative to improve the living conditions of informal waste pickers under the "PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature" program.

Support will focus on 12 municipalities, covering 61 households with a total of 310 family members of informal waste pickers affected by the modernization of waste management systems and the closure of existing landfills. This initiative will provide them access to health, education, and social services, as well as training, mentorship, and support for employment or self-employment.

Speakers at the event included: Swiss Ambassador to Serbia, Anne Lugon-Moulin; Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia; Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia; Tatjana Kaluđerović, Assistant Minister of Environmental Protection; Ninoslav Jovanović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs; Milena Popović Martinelli, Assistant Director for the Western Balkans at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; François Vince, Deputy Director of the Regional Office for the Western Balkans at the French Development Agency, and others.

The program's support includes the engagement of family assistants as key contact persons who will connect informal waste pickers and their families with local institutions and services, represent their interests, and help them exercise their rights according to their specific needs. The program additionally supports local governments through the development of systematic policies, establishing structures and processes to ensure long-term solutions for improving the position of informal waste pickers.

Representing the Center for Democracy Foundation at the event held on November 12, 2024, in Belgrade were FCD Manager Milena Mićović Trajković i Ivan Kuzmanović, Communications and Media Coordinator.

The Center for Democracy Foundation mapped the social protection capacities and services in these 12 local government units, where waste collectors defined as priority groups under the PRO Programme live and work, for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia.

The Joint UN Programme is implemented by the United Nations Serbia agencies - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of Serbia and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland. In the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026, the Programme will implement activities through provision of technical assistance, capacity building and grant support for projects, which will be selected through competitive processes within public calls.

More info: www.pro.org.rs