Investing in Solidarity: Switzerland Supports Social Protection Services in 15 Municipalities

At an event held on 5 June in Belgrade, certificates were formally awarded to representatives of 15 local self-governments in Serbia for the implementation of projects aimed at improving local social protection services. These projects will be implemented as part of the “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” programme, which is supported by the Government of Switzerland.

Over the next year, the PRO programme will support the implementation of 15 partnership projects aimed at improving the availability and quality of social protection services for more than 5,000 people from vulnerable groups. With financial support from the Government of Switzerland amounting to nearly EUR 370,000, and co-financing from local governments exceeding EUR 50,000, these projects will contribute to strengthening local institutions and fostering inclusive communities.

The supported projects encompass a wide range of services in the fields of social protection, education, and healthcare. They include the establishment of counselling centres for families in crisis, day-care services for children and youth, support services for elderly citizens, and assistance for persons with disabilities. Particular focus has been placed on improving coordination among these sectors to ensure a comprehensive response to the needs of beneficiaries.

Among the selected initiatives are two intermunicipal cooperation projects aimed at transferring knowledge and building the capacities of local governments through partnership-based approaches. Within the project “Strengthening Families”, the municipalities of Trstenik and Raška, in partnership with the City of Kraljevo, are establishing marriage and family counselling centres, with direct professional support from therapists based in Kraljevo. Through a joint monitoring and supervision system, the initiative promotes ongoing knowledge exchange and service development. The second initiative, the establishment of a marriage and family counselling centre in Veliko Gradište, is being implemented in cooperation with the City of Požarevac, which will provide services through its Centre for Social Work during the initial phase, while local professionals in Veliko Gradište undergo training.

Marko Vujačić, UNOPS Programme Manager in Serbia, highlighted the importance of the selection process: “The criteria for project selection were clear and included the quality of proposals, focus on the most vulnerable groups, feasibility, and potential for long-term impact. The goal was not only to support 15 good ideas but to lay the foundation for systemic change at the local level. In this effort, cooperation with both local and national institutions—such as the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government—was essential.”

The event featured presentations of the selected projects and the awarding of certificates to representatives of the following municipalities and cities: Arilje, Boljevac, Bor, Čačak, Ivanjica, Kraljevo, Loznica, Mali Zvornik, Prijepolje, Prokuplje, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Trstenik, and Veliko Gradište. More information about the projects is available in the public call results overview.

The “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” programme is implemented by UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland in the amount of EUR 9 million. The programme covers 110 municipalities across Serbia and contributes to the advancement of good governance, social inclusion, and environmental protection at the local level.