Media promotion of the project LSG 4 LAP – „Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Returnees Тhrough Partnership“ was organized today in the premises of the Administrative Building of the City of Smederevo.  Representatives of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration attended the conference as а beneficiary institution, headed by Assistant Commissioner Ivan Gerginov.

The project is financed by the European Union through the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia within the framework of the EU Support to Sustainable Solutions for Internally Displaced and Returnees program, totaling € 5.65 million.

Association of Citizens Initiative for Development and Cooperation, City of Smederevo, and the Municipalities of Smederevska Palanka, Velika Plana and Kovin have started the implementation of this regional project with the aim to effectively respond to the needs of the most vulnerable families from the territory of these four local self-government units.

Assistant Commissiner highlighted that Smederevo had the largest collective center for refugees and displaced persons in Europe and that due to joint efforts of SCRM and the City of Smederevo housing solutions for beneficiaries have been provided in the past. He commanded the regional approach of this particular project and thanked the EU Delegation in Serbia for the donation.

For 57 families of internally displaced persons and returnees under the Readmission Agreement, permanent housing solutions will be provided so that 13 families will receive village houses and a small grant for the adaptation and furnishing, while 35 families will receive packages of building material for the adaptation of existing housing conditions. Another 40 beneficiaries will receive assistance in the form of an economic empowerment package, thus receiving training and mentoring support in business start-up.