Promotion and Protection of human rights of Roma, Egyptians and other vulnerable groups
On 20th December 2016 Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe signed the contract with the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro for the implementation of the new project ‘Promotion and protection of human rights of Roma, Egyptians and other vulnerable groups’. The project will ensure overall improvement of the situation of RE population as main target groups and strengthen state and local governments technical and management capacities to continue strengthening the position of RE population in the Montenegrin society.
This action will be implemented in Podgorica, Niksic and Berane and the results to be achieved are covering employment, education health and social inclusion as 4 areas of social inclusion.
The project will last for 18 months and will be implemented in partnership with the Government of Montenegro, International Red Cross Montenegro, REF and CEDEM.
New children’s playground in Konik
The new children playground is opened on Wednesday, 21 December 2016 at 11.00 hrs, in the Isidora Sekulic street in Konik settlement. The playground is joint activity of Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and the Local Community Unit Konik financed by the German Embassy in Podgorica.
Based on the request made by the Local Community Unit Konik and Help, the German Embassy approved 10 000 Euro for this purpose. The playground is composed of 7 slides, 2 swings, seesaw, climber, merry go round and few more wooden elements provided for smaller children. Two speed control bumps are installed near the playground. The Local Community Unit Konik with the support of Podgorica Capital City provided infrastructure, gravel and greening.
Konik is multi-ethnic environment with residents belonging to different ethnic groups (Montenegrin, Roma, Albanian, and Muslim). The objective of this project is to contribute to the upgrading of the area by improving the living conditions and to provide playground facilities for children living in this marginalized area of Podgorica. The absence of playgrounds for children and recreational activities for teenagers is a real problem in this area. The construction of a new green park comprising a playground is one of the steps foreseen by the LCU to strengthening the community and implement measures that lead to the well-being of its residents.
The children playground is opened and hopefully will be the new venue of residents for meeting and recreation.
Closing Conference for Julia Taft project: ‘Strengthening the role of civil society in RE population’
On Wednesday, 14th December 2016 Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe organized closing conference for the Julia Taft project Strengthening the role of civil society in RE population implemented by Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and financed by the US Embassy in Podgorica. Aiming to assist RE civil activism, this project focused on capacity building of RE civil society organizations by providing sub granted actions.
During 1 year, the 3 organizations have implemented 7 sub granting projects in 2 sub granting cycles.
NGO RAE Council of the Camp from Konik, Podgorica implemented 3 projects: (1) Inclusion of Roma through the education and creativity (2) Creating a better future of young Roma from Konik camps through sports. and (3) Traveling through Montenegro. NGO Rose from Berane implemented 3 projects: (1) English classes for young Roma from Berane (2) Better health protection of RE women in Berane and (3) English classes for RE children and Better health protection of RE women in Berane. NGO Walk with us from Podgorica implemented one project Step towards Activism.
Each of the projects lasted for 3 months and the latest activities have been completed by of November 2016.
Start of the new project ‘On-the-job training and mentoring for women and youth, with focus on the North-East region’
The EU funded project ‘On-the-job training and mentoring for women and youth – with focus on the North-East region’ has started on the 1st of November 2016 and will last for one year.
The action includes a set of activities that will help decrease unemployment of women and youth in the country. The action puts special focus on the less-developed municipalities on the North-East of the country that have almost 6 times higher unemployment rates than the coastal region and about 3 times higher than the central region. While unemployed women and youth from all 3 regions will be able to participate in the programme the majority of participants (60%) will be from the municipalities of Berane, Petnjica, Andrijevica and Plav.
The project will be implemented by Help in partnership with the NGO Business Women Association Montenegro and the Municipality of Berane.
12 motivation workshops will be organized during December for interested employers and unemployed. The workshops provide the opportunity to provide more detailed information about the project and to familiarize potential beneficiaries with requirements of the labour market and opportunities offered. Application forms are available on the web site of Help and in Help’s offices in Berane and Podgorica, as well as in the offices of partners on the project – the Municipality of Berane (Regional Business Centre) and Business Women Association.
The value of the action funded by the European Union and Montenegro is 189,580.00 EUR.
Conference and Promotion of the Catalogue “Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities”
Since January 2016, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe Office in Podgorica is implementing project Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities financed by Employment Agency of Montenegro and in partnership with Association of Paraplegics Podgorica.
Through intensive 11 months, Help Office in Podgorica employed 12 people with disabilities, in 10 private companies / NGOs, in three Montenegrin municipalities: Podgorica, Niksic and Herceg Novi.
Project participants:
- 12 interns / people with disabilities: Ivana Milović, Slađana Stijepović, Luka Asanović, Ljindon Ljucović, Jelena Vekić, Suzana Koprivica, Danilo Gojković, Dragica Vujović, Mladen Tomanović, Miroslav Markovic, Radoš Bigović i Nemanja Batinić.
- 10 employers: six NGOs – Alfa centar Nikšić, Green Home, CGO, Udruženje paraplegičara Nikšić, Nova šansa u Novom, Udruženje lica sa invaliditetom Malesije and four private companies: Alkoset Doo, Garant NK Doo, Mare amare Doo i Auto škola Filip.
The project was financed by the Employment Agency of Montenegro and particularly supported by Employment Bureaus of Nikšić, Herceg Novi and Podgorica.
Facilitating access to health services for RE population
Facilitating access to health services for RE population Project is being implemented by Help Office, since March 2016, in the municipalities Berane and Niksic. This project addresses the unsatisfied needs for adequate access to health of the Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro and is in line with the Montenegrin Government’s Strategy for Improving the Position of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro 2012 – 2016.
The main objectives of the project are to build the capacity of 10 Health mediators/ Associates in social inclusion for health to provide assistance and services in accordance with their scope of work and to improve access to health services for 1000 Roma and Egyptians.
The project will be implemented for one year; it is financed by the German Government in the amount of EUR 122.000.
Community Action: 2-day Workshop: “Unity and Diversity of Konik Settlement Communities”
The Help Office in Podgorica in cooperation with the RAE Council of the camp, Association of Women in Konik, Local Community Unit Konik and local footbal club Ribnica, have organized 2-day Workshop “Unity and Diversity of Konik Settlement communities” on 8 – 9 July 2016 in Ivanova Korita.
This workshop gathered representatives from the above listed organizations as a result of 2-year cooperation through the various community activities implemented in Konik Settlement. Approximately 20 children (Roma and non Roma) that have participated in artistic and sports activities in previous 2 years attended the workshop.
2-day workshop was composed of painting classes, swimming, football and voleyball competitions. Participants received diplomas at the end of the 2 day programme.
2-day Workshop is organized within the EU/Government of Montenegro funded project „Assistance program for integration and voluntary return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in Konik area – Phase 2“. It is organized towards bringing all residents of the Konik settlement together. The aim of such actions is to abolish the notion of the Konik camps being a ghetto within this community.
12 People with Disabilities participate in the Paid Internship Programme in municipalities Niksic, Herceg Novi and Podgorica
The Help Office in Podgorica provided employment possibilities for 12 people with disabilities in three Montenegrin municipalities through the project: Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities. Five persons have been employed n Niksic four in Podgorica and three Herceg Novi.
Help Office in Podgorica provided paid internship in private companies and non-governmental organizations for the period of 6 months. During this period, employers do not have financial obligations, but to provide working conditions and the training for the person with disabilities.
Ten employers expressed interest to participate in this project; 4 private companies: (Garant NK, Driving School Filip, Nikšić – Bookstore So (Amare mare private company) from Herceg Novi, Alkoset private company from Herceg Novi and 6 NGOs: Green Home and CGO from Podgorica, Association of People with Disabilities of Malesija from Tuzi, Alfa Centre from Nikšić, Association of Paraplegics of Nikšić and Nova šansa u Novom from Herceg Novi. Some of the NGOs remployed 2 persons with disabilities such as: NGO Green Home form Podgorica and NGO Alfa Centre from Niksic.
This project is funded by the Employment Agency of Montenegro and implemented in partnership with the Association of Paraplegics of Podgorica.
Community Activity: Let’s do it Montenegro 20 May 2016
Let’s do it Montenegro is a part of the Let’s Do It Mediterranean (LDIM), a civic led campaign that brings together different organizations, groups and individuals from all Mediterranean countries with the aim of cleaning up the Mediterranean Sea together with the help of a massive number of volunteers.
Help Office in Podgorica took a part in this movement by gathering over 30 local stakeholders from Konik settlement, members of the local football club Ribnica, friends, colleagues and children to participate in the joint action Let’s do it Montenegro scheduled for Friday, 27 May 2016.
During this action each of the participants contributed by collecting at least one bag of garbage or more. Cleaning material was provided by the NGO Zid, and our cleaning zone was at Spanskih boraca street, from the kindergarten Djina Vrbica to the sports playground.
In order to properly inform local stakeholders, Help Office in Podgorica organized a week before, on Tuesday, 17 May an info day, together with the NGOs ZID and Crnogorski zenski loby.
This and similar actions are organized within the EU/Government of Montenegro funded project „Assistance program for integration and voluntary return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in Konik area – Phase II“ in order to bring all residents of the Konik settlement together. The aim of such activities is to abolish the notion of the Konik camps being a ghetto within this community.
Better employment opportunities for potential users of RHP in Beran
On the 20th April 2016 at the company D.O.O. Express Bau – Berane, which is situated in the industrial zone Rudeš, we visited the interns Dobrila Latinović i Stana Dofek, hired through the program of paid internship.
They have been working for 4 months now in the recently established company for manufacturing furniture. This job opportunity is part of the project “Better employment opportunities for potential users of RHP in Berane”, which is realized by Help and financed by the US Department of State – through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.
After the war in Bosnia in the 90s and coming to Montenegro, Berane, Dobrila and Stana had the refugee status until 2011 and 2013, when they received the Montenegrin citizenship. However their financial situation was not improved by gaining the citizenship; they were still living in the refugee settlement Rudeš. Despite the many years of experience as the mechanical technicians, they could not find jobs in their field of work in Montenegro. The need to support their families did not give them the chance to choose jobs. Instead, they ended up working the hardest jobs, as most of the refugees/DPs do.
Today they are satisfied with the working conditions in the field of work that is similar to their. They pointed out that this job means a lot to them because they can improve their skills and provide better life for themselves. The team work is suitable for them, because as they say, their results can stand out when working as a team.
Dobrila and Stana are working on sewing and tailoring, of textile mostly and in that way give contribution to the manufacturing process in this company.
They are hired for the first time in this kind of project, and they receive regularly payments, what motivates them to work. They are hoping for more projects like this and would gladly participate again.
Roma Day Celebration
On the occasion of Roma Day celebration (8th April) Help Office in Podgorica organized several activities starting with Football Tournament organized in cooperation with the Red Cross of Montenegro on Wednesday 5th April. The Tournament was organized for 12 local football teams, juniors and seniors (18+)with the support of local stakeholders: FC Ribnica, FC MKM and the NGO RAE Council of the Camp.
The next day on Thursday, 6th April, Help Office organized the Musical Play & Exhibition „One can do as much as possible and a bit more” Dusko Radovic, within the Julia Taft Programme, through the implementation of the RAE Council of the Camp subgranted project. This event was organized in the Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin School and RE children from Konik camps 1 and 2 participated in the programme.
On 7th April, Help Office Awarded Certificates for twenty participants in the Vocational Training Programme. The participants are young people, RE population members, that live in camps 1 and 2 in Konik.
Completion of business training for IGA grants beneficiaries
At the conference room of the Regional Business Centre in Berane a 3-day business training was held for beneficiaries of IGA grants within the project “Better employment opportunities for potential users of RHP in Berane”.
The participants in the training were introduced to the basics of starting their own business. The trainer was Mrs. Ljiljana Belada from the Directorate for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Lectures for 50 grant beneficiaries were organized on 24 to 26 March 2016 covering following themes:
- Business basics
– Enterprise registration
– Business idea development
– Accounting and tax system
- Marketing function
– Internet marketing
– Business communication.
Julia Taft: Sub granting project RAE Council of the Camp
Within the JT Project “Strengthening the role of civil society in RE population” RAE Council of the camp started with implementation of the sub granting programme Inclusion of Roma through the education and creativity.
Project is designed as several months long creative process, composed of more than 20 art workshops (acting, painting & drawing) that will result in the form of art show and exhibition in Kic Budo Tomovic and DODEST, end of the March 2016.
With the support of American corner, workshops started in December 2015. and include children of RE and non-Re population from Konik.
Innovation for equal opportunities
On 15th March 2016, Help Office in Podgorica participated in the Innovated Ideas Fair: Innovation for equal opportunities, organized by CSOs Juventas and SOS phone for women and children – victims of violence, at the EU Info Center in Podgorica.
Among 14 organizations of Montenegrin civil society, Help Office presented short video followed by presentation on community activities implemented in Konik settlement in Podgorica.
Community activities are one of the components of the comprehensive EU/Government of Montenegro funded project „Assistance program for integration and voluntary return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in Konik area – Phase II“
Community Activities: Firefighting equipment for the elementary school Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin
Within the EU/Government of Montenegro funded project „Assistance program for integration and voluntary return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in Konik area – Phase II“, Help office in Podgorica provided funds for renovation of firefighting equipment in the elementary school Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin in Konik.
The request for such action Help Office received from the Ngo RAE Council of the Camp, active in the refugee camps in Konik. Together with the Local Community Unit from Konik and School management, this Ngo initiated action for renovation of firefighting equipment.
This and similar actions are organized in order to bring all residents of the Konik settlement together.The aim of such activities is to abolish the notion of the Konik camps being a ghetto within this community.
Better employment opportunities for potential users of Regional Housing Programme in Berane
In Berane was held a motivation workshop for employers in cooperation with the Municipality of Berane and Employment Agency, Bureau of employment in Berane.
The workshop was organized within the component of paid internship through project “Better employment opportunities for potential users of Regional Housing Programme in Berane, Montenegro.
The first contracts have been signed with employers for paid internship of unemployment people, for a period of 6 months.
This program is financed by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and includes socially vulnerable households in the settlements Rudeš I and II.
Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities
Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V. office in Podgorica and Employment Agency of Montenegro signed the contract on 18th December 2015, deriving from the grant for the areas of employment, rehabilitation and active policy in employment of the people with disabilities.
The Project “Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities” in amount of 50.000 Euro will be used to provide employment for 12 persons with disabilities in the period of 6 months in Podgorica, Herceg Novi and Niksic. Partner in this project is the Association of Paraplegics of Podgorica http://www.osipodgorica.me/ and the project will be implemented in the period of 10 months (January – November 2016.).
Distribution of Sports outfits
Complimentary to the EU funded project „Assistance program for integration and voluntary return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in Konik area – Phase 2“, Help with support of the NGO RAE Council of the Camp and colleagues from the REF and the Red Cross distributed on 28 December 2015 sports outfits for physical education classes for 156 pupils (Roma children) in Camp 1 in Konik/Podgorica.
The Initiative for this event was supported by a group of volunteers from Leipzig (Germany), handball fans from this city who aremembers of the volunteer organization „Responsibility for refugees.“ This organization was founded with the goal to provide assistance to the Roma population in the Balkan countries. A 5 member team of volunteers from Leipzig participated in this event in Konik. They brought sports outfits for Roma children attending elementary school Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin in Konik, Podgorica. They also donated 400 EUR for another 37 pairs of sports shoes and 7 boxes of lego games for the kindergarten in Konik camp 1. A similar event took already place in February 2015.
The aim of such actions is to abolish the notion of the Konik camps being a ghetto within this community.