Advancing Social Inclusion in Prijepolje with Support from the Government of Switzerland and Partners through the Programme

On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office (SDC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme visited the municipality of Prijepolje. The aim of the visit was to learn more about the results of the collaboration between the Programme and the municipality in the area of social inclusion, with a particular focus on improving the living conditions of informal waste pickers.

With Programme support, the municipality of Prijepolje has established a Local Coordination Mechanism to provide a systemic response to the needs and rights of waste pickers, with the aim of improving their overall position. This mechanism is a cross-sectoral working body that brings together key local stakeholders, including the municipal administration, the National Employment Service, the Health Centre, the Centre for Social Work, and the public utility company “Lim.” A family assistant has also been engaged to provide targeted support to families, with a special focus on improving access to education, employment, healthcare, and social protection services.

As part of the Programme’s non-repayable financial support, the local organisation “Vedrina Polimlja” is implementing additional activities in cooperation with the local primary school and the Centre for Social Work. These efforts are delivered through a model of integrated services in the areas of education, health, and employment, reaching around 150 beneficiaries.

During the visit, a meeting was held with representatives of the municipality and institutions involved in the implementation of activities, including the Centre for Social Work and the Regional Recycling Centre Banjica.

The delegation also visited one of the families receiving support to see first-hand the impact of the Programme’s efforts on the ground, particularly in terms of economic empowerment.

The “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme will help improve living conditions for approximately 1,600 informal waste pickers and their families. The Government of Switzerland has allocated two million euros to improve their economic standing, social inclusion, and access to public services. This intervention is being implemented in synergy with the Solid Waste Programme in Serbia, jointly financed through a loan by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the French Development Agency, with the Ministry of Environmental Protection as the lead implementing partner.

The Programme "PRO - Local Government for People and Nature" is jointly implemented by the United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.