On Monday, 07 September 2009, a ceremony will be held on the occasion of signing agreements within the framework of the project “Support for Local Action Plans in the Republic of Serbia”. The ceremony is organised by the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Dr. Jovan Krkobabić. The project is financed by the UNHCR and coordinated by the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia.

 

In the previous period the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in the Republic of Serbia and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has singled out substantial resources for the resolving of the housing issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as for the financial support for local institutions in taking indispensable measures towards the development and realisation of local action strategies and action plans for tackling the question of refugees and internally displaced persons.   

 

In the previous period 30 municipalities/cities have produced and adopted strategic and action documents, formed councils for migration and durable solutions and have provided earmarked funds within the budget, intended for accommodating refugees and internally displaced persons, whereas 75 municipalities/cities have concluded a professional training on developing local action plans, whose adoption is expected to take place as soon as possible. The Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia has until now supported local action plans in 59 municipalities and cities with about 1.000.000 Euros from its budgetary resources.

 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has allotted 700.000 USD for the continuation of the project. In cooperation with the UNHCR, the Commissariat for Refugees has selected the following twelve municipalities/cities which will receive financial support within the framework of this project: Alibunar, Zaječar, Kragujevac, Kruševac, Kula, Medvedja, Nova Crnja, Novi Beograd, Pančevo, Pećinci, Ruma and Smederevo.

 

At the ceremony on the occasion of signing agreements the following participants will take the floor: the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Dr. Jovan Krkobabić, the Commissar for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, Vladimir Cucić, the Representative of the High Commissar for Refugees Eduardo Arbodela, the representatives of the Delegation of the European Commission in the Republic of Serbia, the International Organisation for Migration Mission, the OCSE , as well as the selected representatives of municipalities and city mayors.

 

The signing of the agreements will be held in the building of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, in Nemanjina street 11, room 114 (IV floor), beginning at 11.00h.