Local CSOs presented with Support for the Implementation of Socially Integrated Services and Licensing

Between 16 and 23 May 2023, the Programme “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” held information sessions presenting two public Calls for support to civil society organisations (CSOs) to implement socially integrated services and to license service providers.

A total of 45 representatives from 25 local CSOs participated in the information sessions held in Kraljevo, Zaječar, Niš and online. Both public calls are open until 9 June 2023, and CSOs from 99 towns and municipalities from Šumadija, West, East and South Serbia are eligible to participate, Nataša Ivanović, PRO Programme Officer for Social Inclusion pointed out.

“With financial support from the Swiss Government in the total amount of 273,000 EUR, at least 20 local associations’ projects will be supported, improving access to rights and meeting the needs of vulnerable groups, with focus on Roma, especially from informal settlements, people with disabilities, including children and youth with developmental difficulties, as well as persons with access to support according to the Law on Social Protection,” Ivanović said.

The specificity of the public call is that it encourages the provision of socially integrated services, bringing together at least two of three thematic areas: social protection, education and health. Also, projects must include partnerships with the LSG and other relevant institutions, such as the Centre for Social Welfare, Health Centre, schools, and similar.

“The Programme particularly encourages applications from Roma associations, and project proposals will be awarded additional points if they contain a needs analysis of vulnerable groups at the local level,” Ivanović pointed out.

In addition to the call for project proposals, the programme also published a public call for technical assistance to civil society organisations for capacity building with the aim to get licensed as social protection service providers.

Additional information on the terms, application process and selection criteria is available in the Public Calls section of Programme website.

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