• Crnogorski
  • Crnogorski

Supporting the integration of vulnerable communities in Montenegro via language classes

MNE 171

PROJECT TITLE: Supporting the integration of vulnerable communities in Montenegro via language classes

DONOR : ADH  (Aktion Deutschland Hilft)

PARTNER: NGO Juventas

BUDGET: 106,978.72 € (ADH 81,978.72 € – Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare 25,000.00 €€)

PROJECT DURATION: 15.12.2022 – 31.07.2023

DESCRIPTION :

Main activities:
The project is created on the basis of the assessment made by Help team together with the Ukrainian refugee association Good Deed and has the following components:

1) The first one is Montenegrin language courses for adults in Podgorica. There are now 3 groups (they’re learning language for 3 months and asking for prolongation, they need it for job, education and their everyday communication with their children’s teachers etc.). Also the Ukrainian partner organization has 37 people on the waiting list.

2) The second one is continuation of Montenegrin language courses for adults and children in Budva; there is also a waiting list for about 20 kids.

3) The third one is provision of electric bed sheets for families in Herceg Novi and Podgorica (30+10). Most houses and apartments in the Coastal Region are not equipped with any heating solutions and do not have winter warm in mind. Very often, especially in older buildings, there is no proper insulation. Therefore, the temperatures inside building never exceed 18° which is too cold for little children and older people.

4) The forth one are community initiatives (celebration of Christmas, Easter etc.) organized at 4 Ukrainian Centers. After coming to Montenegro, life of refugees is strongly affected by cultural barriers and differences; they feel excluded from society, sometimes even invisible. Good Deed will organize different types of activities for them, providing emotional and social support as much as possible.

5) The fifth one is a Social dance club for adults ones a week in Podgorica and Budva. We discussed the idea with Alevtina Kapusta, dance teacher from Ukraine, she has groups for kids and adults and she will be ready to help.

6) The sixth one is a dance group for children in Podgorica, it also connects with Alevtina’s dance school. From September she provides free dance classes for Ukrainians kids; as this dance teacher is also a refugee from Ukraine in need for covering her livelihood, she will be receiving a fee for running the dance group. Presently, there are about 14 children in the class.

7) Prolongation for rent agreements for three Ukrainian Centers in Costal Region (Herceg Novi, Bar, Budva).

8) Organizing six 2-3 days excursions for children and teenagers. Children and young people are the ones who suffer the most after the displacement from Ukraine. Very often they cannot adapt easily to the new conditions and need to be part of community which will make transition process easier for them. Excursions fulfilled with workshops and leisure activities are excellent way of making new friends. During the project implementation 6 excursions (each one for 15 children) in the Northern parts of Montenegro will be organized. Transport, accommodation and food for participants will be provided (including 5 meals – breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner). Help will also support leisure activities for children participating in trips – workshops, games, psychological support and evening gatherings will be organized.

9) Ad hoc assistance. “Ad hoc” assistance is provided based on single needs coming from the most vulnerable members of the community. Help will provide medicines, medical screenings, hygienic items for children and seniors (for example diapers, skin care products), special food (baby milk formula, gluten-free or lactose-free food) and other items necessary for needy refugees.

10) The last one concerns providing people with raincoats, rubber boots, and warm socks. The Good Deed Association has a list of people from Bar, Herceg Novi and Podgorica (pensioners, children, single mothers).

Help helping Ukrainian refugees in Montenegro

10. 06. 2022.

German Humanitarian Organization Help will provide assistance to vulnerable Ukrainian refugees in Montenegro, mainly located in Podgorica, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Bar and Budva. Assistance will be provided in food, clothes, medicines,  materials for workshops,  psycho-social support,  summer camps for children and excursions for elderly refugees who have no other chances of leaving their immediate place of refuge.

These relief measures are funded by „Aktion Deutschland Hilft”,  a federation of German aid organizations acting concert to provide quick and effective help in response to major disasters and emergencies abroad.

Help will cooperate in this project with the Ukrainian relief organization „Dobor djelo“ (Good deed) that disposes of a  network of five Ukrainian volunteer centers that were established with the assistance of the Ukrainian embassy. Presently some 6,000 to 7,000 refugees are staying in  Montenegro. While many of the Ukraininan refugees have the means to take care of their needs, there are others who are in dire need of assistance:  accomodation, food, education for children, language courses and jobs.

Help’s budget for this relief projects amounts to  Euro  86,182.

Help and the Good Deed Network today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for the distribution of aid.

Among the refugees are more than 1, 000 children. They are mostly in Budva, more than 600 and about 300 in Bar. In the past few months, six babies were born, and another 15 women are expected to give birth. The largest number of refugees are women, mostly as single parents.

Since 1999, Help has been providing aid in Montenegro, as well as all other countries in which it operates, for the most vulnerable categories, especially refugees and displaced persons, minorities, women and children in accordance with its mission “to enable people to take control of their lives and live in dignity, peace and safety.”

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Help and UNDP in the new project – Motivation of young people and the unemployed

UNDP and Help are implementing a new pilot program, within the Activate! project whose main goal is to help young and unemployed people, under the age of 35, get employment easier and faster, through personal activation and engagement – working on themselves and their work profile.

With the help of experts in the field of employment and social protection, in the following five months, we engage in motivating  young and unemployed people to, apart from registering to the labor office, take it a step further – working on themselves and building a work profile in order to be more prominent to employers on the job market.

Basic information:

Pilot project: Working activation of social protection beneficiaries

Location:

Montenegro: Podgorica, Tuzi, Golubovci, Nikšić, Plužine, Šavnik, Bijelo Polje, Ulcinj, Bar, Rožaje

Value:

45.000,00 Euro

Donator/Donor:

UNDP – Program Activate

Duration:

February 15 – July 15, 2022

Description:

Montenegro has had a low employment rate (especially among young people) for many years, and a low activity rate (especially among women) characterizes the labor market. Young people, especially from rural areas, are in an even more difficult position. Women continue to face specific barriers when getting a job, earn less and face difficulties in balancing work and household chores.

Youth unemployment rose to 37.7% in 2021, further exacerbating job prospects. Long-term unemployment affects two-thirds of unemployed young women in Montenegro, according to Monstat records. This suggests that new policies are needed to help young people find suitable jobs, get the opportunity for further education or training on time.

Three quarters of young people employed in Montenegro are mostly part-time, which is significantly more than in the 27 EU member states. The level of education affects the position of young people in the labor market, because the activity rate of young people with a low level of education (primary school or less) is below 10%.

The activity rate rises sharply with the level of education, emphasizing the importance of continuing education and providing adequate training and education opportunities for unqualified young people.

In Europe, after Turkey, Montenegro has the highest percentage of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). According to the World Bank, NEET youth in Montenegro accounted for 28.6 percent. Local social institutions do not have specific strategies or capacities to deal with young people in NEET. In addition to the lack of strategies designed for this category of population, the RCC study also shows that there are many unreliable job search platforms, and young people are often uncertain about the jobs they apply for because there is not much information. Employers often provide unrealistic information about employment conditions, which often leads young people to inactivity and lack of motivation to find a job.

All this indicates not only the need for specific strategies and Institutional capacity building, but also the need for continuous motivation and support for the unemployed vulnerable population.

The European Commission’s recommendations also emphasize the importance of developing quality employment measures aimed at young people and women, people with disabilities, minorities and vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic.

Goals:

  • Contribute to the work activation of the unemployed, with a focus on social protection beneficiaries, through services / programs that respond to the specific needs of beneficiaries
  • Contribute to the integrated provision of activation and employment services, specifically for the user
  • Test innovative approaches to integrated work activation and their potential for full realization

Results:

  • Activation and improvement of employability of up to 100 young unemployed persons
  • Strengthened institutional capacity to provide integrated activation services

Target group: young people (up to 35 years old), unemployed, able-bodied MOP beneficiaries

Main activities:

Agreeing on details of cooperation with national and local actors

Communication campaign towards beneficiaries / potential project participants

Selection of participants

Conducting training for work activation (soft skills)

Creating individual activation plans

Mentoring based on individual plans

Identification and presentation of positive role models

Sharing lessons learned with stakeholders

Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans SOE-5

SOE-5

PROJECT NAME:

Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans

DONOR:

The German government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

IMPLEMENTATION:

February 2021 – December 2022

BUDGET:

505,600 Euro

German Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 78,400 Euro

UIKS: 50,000 Euro

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The overall objective of the program is to contribute to reducing the social exclusion of vulnerable groups in the Western Balkans region through economic and social inclusion.

The German non-governmental organisation Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe is implementi a 3,35 million Euros, German-supported programme “Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans” to enhance the socio-economic stability of the region in 2021 until the end of December 2022.

The programme objective is to create mechanisms and networks for the empowerment of marginalised groups including COVID-19 recovery measures and thus facilitate their inclusion and social prosperity.

The focus of the activities, in all Western Balkans countries,  is on the job-creation through the establishment of new businesses and provision of support to the existing ones affected by the COVID-19.  The assistance will be provided to socially vulnerable groups, women, youth, people with disabilities, prisoners, and local communities, through economic empowerment involving the building of personal and professional skills.

By the end of the project, it is expected that in the Western Balkans, Help will have supported at least 470 small scale businesses. At least 900 people will have increased their personal and professional skills. The penitentiary support to 18 prisons and at least 15 local initiatives completed, and a social platform fully operational on the regional level.

Timo Stegelmann, Help Deputy Managing Director:

“Following the principle of “Help towards self-reliance”, Help supports the efforts of low-income families, women, youth, prisoners, and former prisoners, people with disabilities to improve their living conditions through their own means and for the long-term to strengthen the resilience of communities.”

Montenegro

In Montenegro, the project will facilitate access to the labor market for vulnerable, young people and women, with on-the-job training in private companies and firms to help them gain knowledge, qualifications and skills attractive at the labor market. It is expected to have at least 40 unemployed, to perform a six-month on-the-job training, out of which at least 15 will have a certified three-month vocational training. The employers will be supported with the provision of necessary equipment for the expansion of their businesses. The prison support to the facility in Spuz through equipment and training will also be provided.

 Klaus Mock, Regional coordinator of Help:

“I am glad that we will be able to continue our support for vulnerable population groups in Montenegro through activities that will strengthen the economic capacities of women and youth. Support for income generation activities have proven to show the best results when aiming to improve living conditions of vulnerable groups. Equally great results have been achieved through our support to the Institute for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions in Spuz and I am looking forward to cooperate also within this project with this institution. As in the past the UIKS makes a considerable financial contribution for our joint activities there what I greatly appreciate. The support of the German Embassy for our activities is crucial and I would like to use this opportunity to express Help’s thankfulness for their and the German government’s support”

The project also aims to revitalize the economy – which provides for six months of on-the-job training for 20 unemployed people with a focus on the northern region of Montenegro (60% of training participants), of which 15 interns will undergo certified three-month vocational training. Also, 20 employers will be supported who will employ unemployed persons in on-the-job training, after successfully completing the training, for a period of at least 12 months.

Unemployed persons will receive an amount of EUR 250 per month during the six-month on-the-job training to cover the costs during the training.

Help will negotiate with those employers who indicate the need for professional profiles of registered candidates and unemployed persons who have already contacted / found and proposed an employer. Employers who will offer employment after the training and offer the best conditions to the hired unemployed will be in the priority group for selection.

Based on the obtained data, Help will negotiate with those unemployed and employers who offer the best conditions after paid on-the-job training, for the purpose of long-term employment.

Establishment of a pig farm in Spuž prison

The project will renovate the existing barn (400 m2) in the prison premises in Spuž. This will enable the prison administration to offer employment opportunities for about 10 workers and to produce pig breeding for the needs of approx. 1,000 inmates in prison as well as sales. The capacity of the renovated facilities will be large enough to raise about 250 pigs. The facility will also be used as temporary accommodation for livestock seized by customs, market and other inspections. This is of particular importance because the state does not have an immediate solution to confiscate seized or abandoned livestock. So, in addition to meat production, UIKS would also make money from these services.

Steel wire mesh production / knitting line

By procuring st for knitting (calibrators and looms), UIKS will get a significant resource for the production of steel nets for its own needs (estimated value of nets for UIKS is about 80,000 euros for the next 4 years) and the sale of surplus products for the market. In addition to the line for the blocks, which Help provided last year, the line for the production of the network would complete the construction needs of UIKS. Six prisoners will have the opportunity to work on a steel mesh production line. UIKS would independently adjust the appropriate space in one of the halls for these machines.

Prisoner training for plumbers

The project will continue by providing vocational training to prisoners that will a) facilitate economic activities within the prison while the trainee remains in prison and b) provide access to the trainee to the labor force designated after release from prison. The training would license 4 inmates for plumbers.

What will be realized in other countries in the region:

Albania

At least 45 beneficiaries will be supported with in-kind grants including the business and vocational training, as well as the 20 micro-farmers through equipment and capacity building. At least 30 unemployed young people will have gained their professional skills and competencies to facilitate their labor market access through on-the-job training.  For the improvement of the local communities, one kindergarten will be renovated enabling safe conditions for at least 90 children.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The project in Bosnia will cover eight municipalities with at least 150 small businesses and 100 people having their professional performances improved, including the measures for alleviation of COVID-19 impact to local economies. Eight local communities will be strengthened, two prisons supported and at least 20 former prisoners empowered towards self-reliance.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, at least 160 empowered small businesses will be supported with in-kind grants and at least 190 attendees to business and professional training to increase their capacities as well as to facilitate labor market access. Three prisons will be supported within the resocialization component. As for the local communities’ improvement, at least four kindergartens will be supported to create a stimulating environment. In addition, previously established local structures will be utilized in synergetic action for a common good to produce and set up outdoor trash bins installed in the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina.

Serbia

In Serbia, it is expected to have at least 80 small businesses generating sufficient income, in addition to 25 vulnerable people (women and people with disabilities) and at least 10 former prisoners. The penitentiary treatment programmes improved in 12 prisons.  As for capacity building at least 400 people will have attended advanced business, professional and specialised training sessions. Social platform placed as a collaborative network of relevant stakeholders and socially vulnerable groups making the most effective use of existing resources and potentials towards sustainable development.

Better economic opportunities in the Western Balkans

New opportunities for the economic empowerment of the women and youth in the Western Balkans through the pilot project in partnership with Helvetas within Sida’s Regional programme on inclusive economic development

On  1 September 2020, the German organisation Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe signed the Partnership Agreement with the Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, a Cooperation Partner to Sida, and thus became an Implementing Partner to Helvetas in Sida’s Regional programme on inclusive economic development in Eastern Europe and Western Balkans.

The Help pilot project “Vibrant ICT-BPO sector for better economic opportunities” will support skills, knowledge and intermediation development in the Western Balkans. Replicating and improving successful models from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the ICT (Information communication and technology) and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sectors in Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, the project will lead towards the better functioning of the business services and the supply of skilled workforce as well as the promotion of the regional brand and the BPO sector.

The focus of this pilot is on promoting and strengthening the economic “regional value addition” of the ICT-BPO  sector in Serbia, N. Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, building on successful models tested in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In practice, it means branding the region by stimulating the competitiveness of private sector enterprises and creating a critical mass of skilled workforce of women, young people and other excluded groups to generate more inclusive and sustainable business development.

The core of the pilot project consists of three pillars. The first pillar is private sector enterprises development and growth through ICT tools and transition of SME’s into the digital economy. The second is creation of sustainable models for delivering the demand-driven training packages which mean skills and knowledge development (hard and soft skills) bringing participants up to the industry standard demanded on the market. And last, but not least, the third pillar is the active promotion of the ICT-BPO sector leading to increased investment and diversification in range and quality of services it provides.

On behalf of Help, the Agreement was signed by the Managing Director, Ms Karin Settele and Deputy Managing Director, Mr Timo Stegelmann.

Help is thrilled to embark on this new journey further strengthening the Western Balkans competitive advantages and support to the economic empowerment of the people of the Balkans.

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MNE -148 Social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians through mediation

01.09. 2020

:: MNE -148  

Social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians through mediation

:: DONATOR

Ministry of Finance of Montenegro – Directorate for Finance and Contracting of the EU Assistance Funds (CFCU)

:: REALIZATION / BUDGET

  September 2020 – February 2022 18 months   /500,382.07 EUR

Project description:

The 2017 UNDP Regional Roma Survey on the socio-economic position of marginalised RE populations found that in Montenegro “marginalised Roma face limited access to opportunities in virtually every aspect of human development such as basic rights, health, education, housing, employment and standard of living”. Simultaneously there is wide recognition, including by the Council of Europe, that mediation in RE communities is a highly effective tool to overcome barriers to social inclusion. Montenegro has successfully systematised the RE mediator role in health in Podgorica and the mediator roles in employment, health care and social protection have been piloted in three municipalities.

The Action will encourage the expansion of mediation to support the advancement of the social inclusion of RE communities in Montenegro. It will be achieved through a comprehensive approach including expanding the network of qualified RE mediators, developing models and best practices in mediation and establishing and advocating for the systematisation of the role in national institutions. It will also enable community field work in RE settlements to support RE individuals and families access public services in health care, employment and social protection.  It will be linked to and build upon the national strategy for social inclusion of RE (2016-2020) and its annual action plans.

Help will coordinate the implementation of the Action in partnership with the Capital City Podgorica, the municipalities of Berane and Ulcinj and with support from the National Roma Council as an associate. They have extensive experience of conceptualising and developing the RE mediator role in support of marginalised and vulnerable RE communities.

Help has been working in Montenegro since 1999 on rehabilitation and development programmes. Its programmes are underpinned with a self-help philosophy and have a solid reputation of building resilience in RE communities. It has worked with RE communities in the target locations and has worked with and supported national and local institutions. It has an extensive experience in managing large projects working with many local, national and international organisations. The said municipalities have large RE populations and the Podgorica administration has supported local mediation services in employment, healthcare and social affairs in its municipal area. National Roma Council has extensive experience working at grassroots level in RE communities and has a long history of cooperation with Help on advancing RE human rights and social inclusion projects.

Objectives of the Action

Social inclusion is at the core of the European social model and supporting EU candidate countries to address social exclusion and inequality is a central part of the accession process to the EU. This Action has the goal to support Montenegro to advance social inclusion of RE communities, as the least integrated groups in society, across the country.  It will focus on their access to social rights in the areas of health care, employment and social protection.  It is therefore the specific objective to improve the system of support provided by the state through building and systematizing mediation in these three key public service areas.  The Action will target marginalized and vulnerable RE communities in the 11 selected municipalities focusing on working in the informal RE settlements based there.

Key stakeholder groups

RE communities are widely recognized as the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in Montenegro.

Current RE mediators are providing information and support in RE communities – supporting individuals and families to access public services have proven to be essential in helping these communities overcome barriers to social inclusion and facilitating their access to fundamental rights.

National institutions in health care, employment and social protection, provide public and social care services for the local population groups including the RE communities.  Municipalities deliver or support localized social inclusion measures for RE communities.

National Government including the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights (MHMR) has the overall responsibility for implementing the national strategy for social inclusion for RE. MHMR lso works together with other line ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to implement social inclusion measures in the areas of health care, employment and social protection.

Timeframe of the action

The Action will be implemented over 18 months. The identification and training of potential RE mediators will be carried out in the first half year in parallel with information workshops and anti-discrimination training for national institution professionals providing local public services in the target areas. Subsequent activities, including selection of RE mediators & supporting a structured program of community field work, advocating for the systemization of the RE mediator role, facilitated networking and knowledge capitalization, and supporting awareness raising activities will be implemented in the remaining 12 months of the Action.

Target groups & final beneficiaries, their needs & constraints, and how to address them

Target groups: RE mediators in the target areas. At least 60 potential mediators are expected to participate in the accredited training program. At least 40 trained mediators will be engaged in national institutions to work with RE communities and be based in public service providers for at least 12 months. Health clinics and hospitals, employment agency branch offices and centers for social work in the target areas provide public health care, employment services and programs and social protection services including bespoke social inclusion measures for the local RE populations.

Final beneficiaries: RE populations in the target areas living informal settlements in poor and often small, overcrowded living conditions, with high rates of unemployment and engagement in the informal economy with little or no social protection.  They experience routine prejudice and discrimination in their daily lives as well as when trying to exercise their basic rights such as accessing public services.

Targeted municipalities – five are in the coastal region, three are in the central region and three are in the northern region.  All have medium to large local RE populations living in informal settlements within their territories and are responsible for delivery of local social RE integration measures. Relevant line ministries – MHMR is responsible for planning and implementing strategies related to RE.  Under the current national social inclusion strategy MHMR is working with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to implement measures in the public policy areas of healthcare, employment and social protection including introduction of RE mediators in these areas.

Provide health care mediation services

The health RE mediator will be based in local health centers.

The main aim of the RE mediator (health care) is to support RE populations to access local health care services.

The RE mediator (health care) will prioritize health care of RE women and girls. This will involve prioritizing gynecological check-ups, screening of common diseases and emphasizing child health. They will also continue to prioritize supporting RE individuals and families obtaining the legal civic status documents. This will be done in conjunction with the RE mediators (employment) and RE mediators (social protection).

Provide employment mediation services

Employment mediation services will be provided in every target municipality. There will be at least one RE mediator (employment) in each mediator team although the role can be carried out as a job share with the RE mediator (social protection) position in some instances. This will be based on the size of the local RE population and in discussion with the national institutions. The RE mediator (employment) will be based in local employment agency office located in each target municipality.

The main aim of the RE mediator (employment) is to support RE populations to integrate into the labor market and to access local employment services.

The RE mediator (employment) will organize employment information workshops in the RE settlements. The workshops will be organized in conjunction and with the involvement of employees of the local employment agency office. The aim of the workshops will be to raise awareness on the importance of being active in the labor market and being employed.

The RE mediator (employment) will support RE women to enter the workforce. This will involve promoting vocational training opportunities and local employment programs to RE women in particular. They will also continue to prioritize supporting RE individuals and families obtaining the legal civic status documents. This will be done in conjunction with the RE mediators (health care) and RE mediators (social protection). In total 5 workshops will be conducted.

Provide social protection mediation services

Social protection mediation services will be provided in every target municipality. There will be at least one RE mediator (social protection) in each mediator team although the role can be carried out as a job share with the RE mediator (employment) position in some instances. The RE mediator (social protection) will be based in a center of social work located near the RE settlements in each target municipality.

The main aim of the RE mediator (social protection) is to support RE populations to access local social protection services.

The RE mediator (social protection) will support case management of RE individuals and families in conjunction with the child protection and social welfare professional of the center of social welfare. As with other RE mediators, they will also continue to prioritize supporting RE individuals and families obtaining the legal civic status documents. This will be done in conjunction with the RE mediators (health care) and RE mediators (employment).

Establish and convene RE mediation network

Project staff will establish a RE mediation network for RE mediators engaged in national institutions under the frame of the Action. There will be two types network meetings, regional network meetings and national thematic network meetings.

The primary purpose of the RE mediation network meetings will be to provide peer support for the RE mediators who are working in national institutions under the frame of this project. The RE mediation network will be linked to the mediation plans and the community-based mediation field work.

Develop and disseminate best practices in mediation to advance RE social inclusion

The capitalization of knowledge and best practices in mediation in RE communities in Montenegro will be an important element of the Action. A bespoke capitalization activity will be organized during the final three months of the implementation phase of the Action.

National institutions committed to supporting mediation in their services

In light of the limited experience of most national institutions in Montenegro with working with RE mediation services the Action will prepare national institutions to work with RE mediators and to support mediation programs in their services in a sustainable way.

Organize thematic capacity building on anti-discrimination approaches for professionals in national institutions

National institutions providing health care, employment and social protection services will be motivated and sensitized to working with RE mediators and supporting mediation activities in RE communities in their service provision through thematic capacity building on anti-discrimination. An expert on antidiscrimination training will be engaged to develop a training program and materials and deliver the training.

Advocate and lobby for systematization of RE mediators in national institutions in target areas

The systematization of the RE mediators’ positions is crucial to the ongoing sustainability of mediation in RE communities in Montenegro. Advocating and lobbying for the systematization of the RE mediator positions in health, employment and social protection will build on the success achievement of the systematization of RE mediators in education and RE mediators in health in Podgorica and Berane. These positions have been systematized and fully integrated in the Department of Education since 2018 and the health clinics in Podgorica and Berane since 2019.

MNE- 150 Strengthening of individual economic capacities of displaced persons in Berane

:: PROJECT   MNE – 150 

Strengthening of individual economic capacities of displaced persons in Berane

:: DONATOR

US Government – U.S. Embassy Podgorica – Julia Taft Fund 

:: REALIZATION / BUDGET

 September  2020 – August 2021  /25,000 $

The action is the result of its approach of streamlining actions with national policies, consulting local stakeholders, creating synergies and replicating good practices, while maintaining contact with beneficiaries through field work.  The high unemployment rate in the country, caused by the transition and economic crisis, hits primarily vulnerable groups. One of the measures to fight unemployment is to organize quality and specialized skill training so that they enable reallocation of labor among different economic sectors. On that basis the action intends to fill the gap between the demand and availability of skills by providing skill training. Another measure is to support individuals in their efforts for self-employment and/or to support those who have already established a small business and enable them to improve and extend their income-generating activities. Income-generation activities have proven to be one of the best ways to enable vulnerable population groups to sustain an acceptable standard of living based on their own resources, focusing on long-term solutions for the beneficiaries. The provision of material inputs will create and/or increase much needed job opportunities for the most impoverished segments of the population in Montenegro

This proposal will fill a vast gap in terms of support for strengthening livelihoods of vulnerable population groups in Berane municipality.

Project purpose:

Overall objective: To contribute to the inclusion of internally displaced persons (I/DPs)  into the social and economic life in Montenegro

Specific objective:  To improve livelihood of DPs and IDPs in Berane municipality

Results:

R1. Increase of skills and competencies among ID/Ps population

R2. The most vulnerable IDP families have have started up an income-generating activity or expanded an on-going income-generating activity

Project justification:

The northern region of Montenegro is mostly rural and makes up 53% of the territory of the country with 31.5% of the total population living there. This region contributes less than 18% of the GDP of Montenegro. The northern region is the poorest in Montenegro with 19.2% of residents living below the poverty line. Given this lacking behind the other regions special economic development, income support efforts and targeted support of educational opportunities are needed to assist the people, in particular those belonging to vulnerable groups, of the northern region. In order to ameliorate the situation in the north it is mandatory to stimulate entrepreneurial activities there. The employment growth especially that of vulnerable groups, remains a major challenge for Montenegro. Displaced and internally displaced persons (I/DPs) belong to one of the most vulnerable groups. As many of them are below the poverty line and in big extend unemployed there is an urgent need to strengthen them in improving their livelihood.

Unemployment is recognized as the main problem for the sustainable livelihood of the targeted beneficiaries. Employment opportunities are unfavorable, given the difficult economic situation in the Berane municipality and the Northern Montenegro overall.

Berane has second highest unemployment rate in the country (58,36%, share of women: 56,5%).  Among unemployed, I/DPs have even more limited access to labor market. Help has been implementing in Montenegro various active employment measures such as subsidized employment and training programmers.

Target group:

 

  1. Displaced and internally displaced persons living in Berane municipality. According to the information provided by the Administration for Care for Refugees, the number of I/DPs in Berane is 1417. They represent about 5% of local population.

 

  1. Municipality of Berane  as well as representatives of relevant national institutions (Employment Bureaus in Berane, Vocational Training Agency; line ministries, National Employers’ Federation).  Municipalities, especially those in the northern region, have limited capacities and expertise to develop and support vulnerable groups.

Detailed description of the project activities:

The project aims to contribute to the inclusion of vulnerable population groups into the social and economic life of the country and reduction of poverty among ID/Ps. More specifically, the project will empower unemployed ID/Ps to access labor market by providing vocational training for 5 I/DPs and supporting income generation activities for 10 ID/Ps through provision of equipment or materials all in direction of making potential for self-generating income which is the starting point for release from poverty and ensuring full integration in the society.

 Activity 1:   Motivational workshop for interested ID/Ps in vocational training and income-generating activities

 One half-day motivational workshop for ID/Ps will be held in Berane. The idea is to enable participants to promote the project and its activities among ID/Ps community, so that potential beneficiaries are aware of it and specifically on vocational training opportunity and want to get involved. The workshop will focus on the training possibilities for target group within the project. In particular, the vocational training as well as income-generating activities program will be presented, and participants encouraged to apply for them when the public call is published. Also, they will be informed of the criteria of the public call, the assessment procedures and when to expect the program to commence. It is expected that at least 30 ID/Ps will attend workshops.  The workshop will be organized during the second month of the implementation of the project prior to the publication of the Public call (Activity 2).

Activity 2: Public call and selection of the trainees and beneficiaries of IGA grants

 Selection of the trainees and IGA beneficiaries will be undertaken through a Public call. The criteria and application form have already been developed by Help and the partner institutions in the previous actions, therefore the implementation will start in the first month of the Action.  The ad hoc Evaluation Committee consisting of Help staff, the Employment Bureau and Municipality of Berane will choose the 5 trainees in accordance with local labor market needs. The same committee will choose the 10 beneficiaries of IGA in accordance with set criteria.

Activity 3:  Implementation of vocational training programme;

 Implementation of vocational training program will last for 3 months and it will draw on the identification of training topics based on priorities of Berane labor market needs. During the design of the action, Help has collected available data on labor market needs and offer in Montenegro, with some data desegregated by municipalities as well. The information was provided by the Employment Agency and includes data analysis from 2018 as well: overall, the sectors in which there is the biggest need for less-educated skills are catering/hospitality services, commerce/sales and vehicle repair, and civil works. When the project starts, the updated data and more precise information at the level of municipality will be collected from the Employment Agency.    The vocational training will be implemented as per national standards, with proscribed number of lessons, and with interactive and practical methods adjusted to beneficiaries, i.e. work in small groups, pair work or individually. At the end of the training, the exams will be organized, both theoretical and practical, and successful candidates will receive certificates for obtained skills.

Activity 4: Income-generating activities

 10 sets of material/equipment in the average value of 1,500 US$ by the end of the project for starting up or expanding income generating activities to selected IGA beneficiaries will be delivered. Support with registration of new or existing economic activity will be provided by Help with assistance of the Regional Business Centre Berane. The beneficiaries will receive regular business advice and monitoring visits within the period from receiving IGA support until the end of the project by Help and Regional Business Center Berane.

Project sustainability :

The project has a direct impact on economic and social inclusion. Its activities will remove obstacles to raising the educational level and strengthening the competences of poor and marginalized ID/P population as well as ensure technical equipping of at least 10 beneficiaries and thus enable them to earn for their own living. Income-generation activities have proven to be one of the best ways to enable the vulnerable population to sustain an acceptable standard of living based on their own resources, focusing on long-term solutions. Capacitating beneficiaries to be competitive at labor market will directly improve their standards of living.  The allocation of individual income-generation grants is based on the applicants’ sound and sustainable business ideas; their viability is evaluated by the project team. Financial sustainability is a major criterion for approval of individual requests for an income-generating activity. Generally, sustainability is in-built into the project design, no running costs are taken over by the project and the generation of income and profit is aimed at as one of the major outputs of this component. Hence, the beneficiaries will be able to continue their economic activities on micro-level independently.

As part of the overall project management Help will engage internal capacities and resources for employment of ID/Ps.

The Municipality of Berane supports through mentoring of the Regional Business Center staff the income generating activities.

Workshops for RE woman in Berane, Nikšić, Podgorica

26.02 2020

Help and NGO “Walk with us Phiren Amenca” have organized workshops for Roma and Egyptian women on topic of human rights with focus on women’s rights in Berane, Nikšić and Podgorica, held by Red Cross experts of Montenegro.

The workshops were organized within the framework of the project “Civil society in action promoting and protecting Roma and Egyptian rights in Montenegro” funded by the European Union.

The workshops were held in Berane on 14. February 2020, in Nikšić on 25. February, and in Podgorica on 26. February.

The topics of the workshops were: women and human rights, family life and resolving family conflicts (domestic violence), girls’ education, early (arranged) marriages and begging.

Here are the photos that convey the atmosphere:

First Berane…

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Then Nikšić …

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And in the end Podgorica…

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MNE-143 Civil society in action promoting and protecting Roma and Egyptian rights in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

MNE-143 Civil society in action promoting and protecting Roma and Egyptian rights in Montenegro

:: DONOR

European Commission – European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)

:: PARTNER

NGO Roma Youth Organization – Let’s Walk Together – Phiren Amenca

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

November 2019 – April 2021 / 162.941 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

The overall objective of the program is to contribute to the protection and promotion of Roma and Egyptian human rights at local level in Montenegro

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective:

  1. Strengthen CSOs capacities & role in advancing RE human rights
  2. Empower CSOs to be drivers of change for RE human rights
  3. Foster RE women & RE youth active participation in public life

The project will encourage active civil society participation in efforts to enhance the respect of the human rights of the Roma & Egyptian (RE) communities in Montenegro through a comprehensive approach including capacity development of civil society organisations’ (CSOs) organisational development and functioning, project management cycle and human rights monitoring and advocacy as well as financial support for implementation of local CSO’s initiatives. It will support community-based activities to support RE youth and RE women to participate actively in their communities. It will be linked to and build upon ongoing national strategies including for social inclusion of RE (2016-2020) and for youth (2017-2021).

Expected results:

1. Increased capacities of CSOs working with RE to be more self-sufficient and able to monitor and advocate for RE rights 2. Enabled CSOs to conduct effective actions to enhance RE rights; 3. Support CSOs to be drivers of change on RE rights 4. Enable RE youth and RE women to become more active in their communities & engage in human rights issues affecting their lives.

SOE-3 Support to socio-economic stability in the Western Balkans region 2019-202

:: PROJECT

SOE-3 Support to socio-economic stability in the Western Balkans region 2019-2020

:: DONOR

German Government, the Federal Foreign Office, ministries and local self-governments in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2019 – December 2020 / 3.619.880,00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Region: Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia)

Target group: vulnerable minority groups, start-up businesses, existing small businesses in need of additional assistance, convicts and former convicts (resocialization component), disabled, female, youth, less employable categories, socially vulnerable without a housing solution.

Goals/Objectives:

The overall objective is to empower economically and socially vulnerable groups and facilitate social inclusion, while specific objectives of the programme aim to decrease the level of poverty among economically vulnerable groups, and to improve the treatment programs in correctional facilities and the process of reintegration of convicts and former convicts into society.

Description:

Through the Help over the years developed methodology of combining in-kind grants with business and vocational training the target group of the program receive the support to develop resilience and become less dependant on the external assistance (like social benefits, need to migrate in pursuit of income and better living conditions).

Having that in mind, the following results have been envisaged and expected by the end of the project:

  • At least 550 micro-businesses (BiH, KOS, SRB) fully operational and generate sufficient income to cover business and livelihood expenses;
  • At least 1620 people (BIH, KOS, SRB) attended business and professional training sessions increasing their knowledge, capacities, enhanced business efficiency and possibilities for competitive performance, including the employees and convicts in the correctional facilities;
  • At least 13 correctional facilities (KOS, MON, SRB), equipped workshops end improved treatment programmes within the system;
  • At least 15 former convicts (SRB) assisted through the resocialization programme (with in-kind grants and training);
  • Mechanisms and models created and applied for improvement of the resocialization of the former convicts;
  • Project partners enhanced their management capacities in implementing socio-economic projects;
  • At least 12 families of socially vulnerable families living in newly constructed prefabricated buildings (Niksic, MNE);
  • At least 12 socially vulnerable families living in newly constructed flats (Danilovgrad, MNE);
  • Up to 10 most vulnerable Roma families living in a newly constructed building (Bijelo Polje, MNE);
  • Roma and Egyptian mediators available and provide assistance in social, employment and health sectors to Roma/Egyptian communities in Podgorica and Niksic (MNE).

In cooperation with the local partners, local self-governments and other relevant stakeholders Help is regionally constantly improving its methodologies applied in projects implementation applying the core principle of its acting – assisting people towards self-reliance.

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MNE-144 Improved access to the labour market for women and youth in the Northeast of Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mne-144 Improved access to the labour market for women and youth in the Northeast of Montenegro

:: DONOR

Ministry of Finance of Montenegro – Directorate for Finance and Contracting of the EU Assistance Funds (CFCU)

:: PARTNER

Municipality of Berane

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

November 2019 – October 2020 / 170.092,55 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

The overall objective of the program is improved employability and access into the labour market of unemployed persons in Northern Montenegro.

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective:

  1. Increase of skilled unemployed women and youth in deficit occupations
  2. Strengthened local employment partnership

Expected results:

  1. Employers’ community informed of the project and well motivated to participate; 2 Unemployed women and youth gained knowledge, skills and competences in deficit occupations; 3. Established Local Employment Partnership Working Group in targeted area of Northern Montenegro; 4. Improved knowledge of local stakeholders on benefits of local employment partnership.
  2. Specific attention will be given to increasing employability, especially of women and young, while taking into account the social aspects, and promotion of partnership with employers. One of the measures to fight unemployment is to organize quality and specialized skill trainings so that they enable reallocation of labour among different economic sectors. On that basis the action intends to fill the gap between the demand and availability of skills by providing skill trainings for deficit occupations as required by the market. Attention will be also given to the further strengthening of the local employment partnership through inclusion of all stakeholders in the local labour market within the working group while in parallel setting up the activity plan and building their knowledge.

MNE-145 Disaster Prevention in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

MNE-145 Disaster Prevention in Montenegro

:: DONOR

Aktion Deutschland Hilft

with headquarters in Bonn, this is a grouping of German Aid agencies for Humanitarian aid

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

 01 May 2019 – 30 Juni 2020/ Euro 36.247

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

One of the long-standing consequences of the wars in the Balkans of the 1990s are manifold marginalised population groups who live in substandard settlements. Help has already addressed the housing problems of a number of marginalised population groups, in particular those of displaced Roma and Egyptian communities and of other socially disadvantaged groups. The Regional Housing Programme has also provided a relatively large number of people with sustainable housing solutions.

However, the level of education of many of these groups is rather low and environmental consciousness is practically non-existent. Everyday behaviour of such disadvantaged population groups often carries risks to damage the environment such blocking sewage canals or environmental pollution. Inadequate storage of wood, household items and other debris carry the risk of fires in their homes.   This project addressed the risks mentioned in cooperation with the Directorate for Emergency Situations of the Montenegrin Ministry of Internal Affairs by strengthening of the protection and rescue service capacity, as well as by providing training to marginalised population groups on how to prevent the outbreak of fires and keeping the environment in the surroundings of their settlements safe and clean.

The support requested relates to the implementation of the activities on prevention of fire risks, education and strengthening the readiness of members operational units for protection and rescue, as well as procurement of necessary fire protection equipment (fire extinghuisers).

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective:   Better and safer living conditions of marginalised groups in Montenegrin society

Expected results:

Strengthening of the protection and rescue service capacity, as well as the capacity of the volunteer firefighting associations in the municipalities of Tivat, Dudva, Herceg Novi, Niksic, Bijelo Polje and Mojkovac. Increasing the capacity of the Directorate for emergency situations and of the entire protection and rescue system in Montenegro.

ven the chance to generate and / or increase their incomes by facilitating access to employment and self-employment as well as facilitating access to Montenegrin institutions.

MNE-149 Migration prevention through support to employment of marginalised groups and improvement of housing conditions 2019-2020

:: PROJECT

MNE-149 Migration prevention through support to employment of marginalised groups and improvement of housing conditions 2019-2020

:: DONOR

Aktion Deutschland Hilft

with headquarters in Bonn, this is a grouping of German Aid agencies for Humanitarian aid

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

1 December 2019 – 30 November 2021/ Euro 113.012

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

As of 1999, Help has been providing support to vulnerable groups (minorities, refugees, women, youth) in Montenegro, in line with its mission “to enable people to take charge of their own life and live self-determined in dignity, peace and security”. Help has been recognized in Montenegro as well as internationally as a reliable and experienced partner in implementing employment measures and in support to development of national policies. The proposed action is the result of its approach of streamlining actions with national policies, consulting local stakeholders, creating synergies and replicating good practices, while maintaining contact with beneficiaries through field work. Through lessons learnt from the other projects on employment measures and established cooperation with local and international stakeholders, the action has been designed, targeting the beneficiaries from all regions but with special focus on the North-East of the country, as well as Niksic and Podgorica.

The high unemployment rate in the country, caused by the transition and economic crisis, hits primarily vulnerable groups, among which women and youth. One of the measures to fight unemployment is to facilitate access to the labour market, aiming at the real needs of each group and their labour potential. The action contributes to this overall objective by targeting 3 main stakeholders’ groups: 1) employers as job generators, 2) unemployed that need empowerment and 3) local governments as institutional supporters.

In addition, the action addresses inadequate housing conditions in some of the Roma settlements.

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective: Support for the inclusion of vulnerable population groups into the Montenegrin labour market and improved living conditions.

Expected results:

The target population will be given the chance to generate and / or increase their incomes by facilitating access to employment and self-employment as well as facilitating access to Montenegrin institutions.

Emergency Aid for Refugees and Crisis Prevention in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-142 Emergency Aid for Refugees and Crisis Prevention in Montenegro

:: DONOR

Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.

with headquarters in Bonn, this is a grouping of German Aid agencies for Humanitarian aid

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

01 May 2018 – 30 Sept 2018 / 50,000.00 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

Montenegro has repeatedly been struck by natural disasters including flooding, seasonal wildfires, unusually high levels of snowfall and earthquakes. This project relates to the implementation of activities regarding prevention of fire risks, increasing education and strengthening the preparedness of members of operational units for protection and rescue, as well as procurement of necessary fire protection and rescue equipment. Better preparation for- and prevention of risks, including fire hazards, natural disasters etc. is the goal.

This project also has an allocation for the payment of medical fees, medication and the like as well as baby food and hygienic articles needed to prevent infectious diseases that often increase in times of crisis or after natural disasters. Vulnerable members of Roma and Egyptian communities and residents of the municipalities of Tivat, Budva and Herceg Novi will be the focus of efforts.

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective:  Better inclusion of RE communities in Montenegrin society

Expected results:

Strengthening of the protection and rescue service capacity, as well as the capacity of the volunteer firefighting associations in the municipalities of Herceg  Novi, Tivat and Kotor. Increasing the capacity of the Directorate for emergency situations and of the entire protection and rescue system in Montenegro.

Support for socio-economic Stability in the Western Balkans 2017-201

:: PROJECT

SoE-001 Support for socio-economic stability in the western Balkans 2017-2018

:: DONOR

German Ministry of Foreign Affairs

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

April 2017 – December 2017::: 1.999.592,00 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of Roma, Egyptians and other vulnerable Groups

:: PROJECT

Mon-131 Promotion and protection of human rights of Roma, Egyptians and other vulnerable groups

:: DONOR

Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

December 2016 – June 2018 /  1,212,249.31 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Overall objective:

The overall objective of the program is to increase the capacity of economically and socially vulnerable groups to participate more fully in society.

The specific objectives:

Specific Objective:    Better inclusion of Roma in Montenegrin society

Expected results:

The project will provide durable housing solutions for 10 Roma families and thus facilitate their inclusion into the Montenegrin society (approximately 60 Persons).
The project component in Montenegro is being implemented in cooperation with the Municipality of Nikšić. The aim of the project is to permanently solve housing problems for the 10 most vulnerable Roma and Egyptian families of Niksic. A total of ten housing units were built, out of which four of them are 57m2 big in size and six housing units are 37 m2 big in size. The amount allocated for the actvities carried out in Montenegro amounts to Euro 269,149.07.
At the handover ceremony organised on December 29, 2017 ten Roma families with 67 family members received keys for the apartments. The ceremony of key handover was attended by a representative of the German Embassy in Podgorica, the Mayor 

On-the-job Training and Mentoring for Women and Youth

:: PROJECT

Mon-127 On-the-job training and mentoring for women and youth, with focus on the North-East region

:: DONOR

CFCU

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

October 2016 – October 2017::: 211,143.00 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

On 31 October 2017, at the Regional Business Center in Berane, a press conference was held, whereby the project “Training at work and mentoring for women and youth with focus at the northeastern region” was officially ended. The project of 12 months’ duration was implemented by Help in partnership with the Berane Municipality and the Association of Business Women of Montenegro. The value of the project was € 211,143.00, out of which the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro participated with € 189,580.00.

During the promotional campaign 12 motivational workshops were organized in order to provide information about the project and its opportunities; 103 employers and 174 unemployed women and youth participated.  71 applications for inclusion in the project were submitted by companies in 12 towns and 95 applications from unemployed women and youth from all over Montenegro were received. 53 companies were selected and 65 interns participated in the six months training period. Thanks to the on-the-job training, the unemployed improved their professional skills and became more competitive on the labor market. After the training period work engagement continues for 31 persons with 27 employers/companies. The 10 highest-ranked employers were supported in equipment for the work of the trainees in the amount of € 2,000 per company.
As a part of the component aiming to strengthen self-employment 51 persons attended self-employment workshops. The 10 best participants were selected for mentoring by various business experts. Up to date, 5 of them registered their businesses, out of which 3 as d.o.o (limited liability company), 1 as entrepreneur and 1 as producer.

In order to strengthen local employment partnerships 5 meetings were held with representatives of all stakeholders in the target region. The importance of the role of all local actors was emphasized and recommendations for establishment of local employment partnerships were given as well. The project itself was an ideal example of joint action of local employment partnerships.

Social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians through employment

Mon-123 Social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians through employment

:: DONOR

CFCU

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2017 – January 2018::: 106,887.87 €

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

The Action contributes to the social inclusion of the RE population in Montenegro by improving their access to the labour market and employment and social rights. Special focus is placed on fostering the integration of the RE population into the labour market by developing their skills through the traineeship programme as the main activity.

On-the-job Training

The traineeship programme from May until the end of January was taken up by 35 to 44 trainees. On-the-job training was initially planned to last for six months. Fortunately, it was extended for an additional two and a half months thanks to budget rationale. By the end of the project, 33 interns successfully finished the on-the-job training and were awarded with certificates.  Their performance during the training was monitored by conducting individual interviews with employers and trainees.

Anti-discrimination training for employers

Two anti-discrimination training sessions for employers and workers in the company/organisation were organised. The objective of the training was to raise participants’ awareness on stereotypes, prejudices, patterns of thinking, speaking, and behaviour existing in societies, particularly in the majority population, towards minority groups. 15 participants from 8 employers’ organisations took part. Participants were introduced to the definition of discrimination, as well as the understanding of discrimination, direct and indirect discrimination, and were familiarised with anti-discrimination legislation in Montenegro.

Information sessions for interns

For the beneficiaries of the traineeship programme, information sessions were held for the interns. In these sessions different topics regarding employment measures and labour rights were covered in order to be prepare the interns for full-time employment after completion of the training. The information sessions aimed to motivate them to search actively for jobs and to negotiate with current employers. During the meetings they were encouraged to share their experiences at the work place and ask for advice about their worker’s rights.

Apart from on-the-job training, the development of Standards for Associate in Social Inclusion of RE in social affairs was another key activity within the project. The working group consisting of 8 members of national institutions, in accordance with methodology and procedures, developed the documents which were adopted by the Council for qualifications during the project implementation. The Programme of Education and Exam Catalogue will be adopted in the following period by the authorized bodies.

Final conference

The main project results and activities were presented during the Final conference, held on 1 February 2018. The key stakeholders took part in the event (Ministry of Finance, Capital Podgorica, Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, Employment Agency, Center for Social Work, as well as employers who provided the trainees with on-the –job training). The final conference was in Montenegrin.

Watch the speakers at the conference by clicking on the links below:

Klaus Mock, regional coordinator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfMnKnZmkso

Marina Rmus, project coordinator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICIkEgdj4Oc&t=37s

Ivana Vučinić, Capital Podgorica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-qgCQrp5M

Vesna Pavlović, Ministry of Finance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJsxUPqHbxQ

Varja Đukić, employer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4C1wskbfvk

 

Results

Since the main activity was the on-the-job training, which would lead to the employment of the trainees, the result of the project is more than initially expected (10% to be employed after the termination of the on-the-job training):

Out of 33 interns, 13 have been employed, equaling 39,39% of the total number of interns who completed the on-the-job training.

Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilitie

:: PROJECT

Mon-122 Paid Internship for Support of Better Employment of People with Disabilities

:: DONOR

Employment Agency of Montenegro

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2016 – November 2015::: 50, 000 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Increasing Employability of Romani Women in Podgorica

:: PROJECT

Mon-110 Increasing employability of Romani women in Podgorica

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

October 2014 – December 2014. :: 8.345 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Renovation of “Mihailo Zugic” Elementary School in Borovica, Pljevlj

:: PROJECT

Mon-109 Renovation of “Mihailo Zugic”  Elementary School in Borovica, Pljevlja

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

October 2014 – December 2014. :: 19.115 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRI

Increasing Employability of Romani and other vulnerable Women in Herceg Novi

:: PROJECT

Mon-108 Increasing employability of Romani and other vulnerable women in Herceg Novi

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

October 2014 – December 2014. :: 12.000 EUR

:: SHORT

Providing durable Housing Solutions for Roma displaced families in Niksic

:: PROJECT

Mon-107 Providing durable housing solutions for Roma displaced families in Niksic

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry, UNHCR, Municipality of Niksic

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

September 2014 – December 2014. :: 94.075 EUR

:: SHORT

Supporting Integration and voluntary Return of IDPs and Residents of Konik Camp – Phase II

:: PROJECT

Mon-105 Supporting integration and voluntary return of IDPs and residents of Konik Camp – Phase II

:: DONOR

European Union, Government of Montenegro, REF, UNHCR, DRC

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

September 2013 – May 2016. :: 1.228.219 EUR

:: SHORT

Housing, psycho-social and medical Support for most vulnerable Refugees in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-102 Housing, psycho-social and medical support for most vulnerable refugees in Montenegro

:: DONOR

UNHCR

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2014– December 2014 :: 329.330 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Strengthening Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian (RAE) Representation and Integration

:: PROJECT

Mon-98 Strengthening Roma, Ashkalia and Egyptian (RAE) representation and integration

:: DONOR

European Union

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

November 2013 – May 2015. :: 163.790 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Housing, psycho-social and medical support for most vulnerable Refugees in Montenegr

:: PROJECT

Mon-96 Housing, psycho-social and medical support for most vulnerable refugees in Montenegro

:: DONOR

UNHCR

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2013 – December 2013 :: 422.127 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

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Assistance Programme Integration and Return of RAE and other IDPs in Konik

:: PROJECT

Mon-88 Assistance Programme for the integration and return of RAE and other IDPs residing in the Konik area

:: DONOR

European Union, Government of Montenegro, REF, UNHCR, DRC

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

November 2012 – May 2014. :: 1.475.142.00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Start of a new project for the benefit of the displaced RAE population in Konik, Podgorica

Help has signed a contract for the implementation of the project „Assistance programme for integration and return of RAE and other I/DPs residing in the Konik area” with the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Government of Montenegro.

The project will be implemented together with international and national project partners in order to provide the best skills for the successful support of the target group. The partners are the Danish Refugee Council, the Roma Education Fund from Hungary, and the local NGOs Green Home, Juventas and Legal Centre.

Under the terms of this project, RAE and other I/DPs living in Konik will be assisted to pursue their voluntary return to Kosovo and to improve the access to rights such as legal status, education, health and employment in order to enable full integration of those who opt to remain in Montenegro. Technical assistance will be provided for a Project Implementation Unit at governmental level that will co-ordinate, monitor and report all IPA project-related activities.

The total value of this project amounts to € 1.475.142. The project is funded jointly by the European Union with an amount of € 800.000, the Government of Montenegro with an amount of € 500.000, the Roma Education Fund from Budapest with an amount of € 101.350, the office of UNCHR in Montenegro with € 63.792 and the Danish Refugee Council with an amount of € 10.000.
The project will last for 18 months and it is expected that approximately 2.500 persons form the target group will benefit directly from the project.

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Description of the proposed activities and their effectiveness:

1. Social integration: social integration will be promoted through interactive workshops addressing human rights, active citizenship and professional orientation, environmental protection issues and the like and regular meetings with RAE youth and adults and counseling sessions. Dance workshops for children and youth (both Roma and non-Roma) will be a venue to spend quality leisure time, develop talents of art, the self-esteem and social skills that will enable them to take a pro-active position in the civil society. These activities will be organized jointly with local NGO Juventas.

2.Provision of documents: Legal Center (LC) organizes bus visits to municipalities in Kosovo (Pec, Klina, Obilic, Kosovo polje, Vucitrn) in order to enable the most vulnerable members of RAE population obtaining personal documents (birth certificates, citizenship certificates, ID cards, passports and the like, as well as the subsequent registration into the birth/citizenship registries for those persons who were born in Kosovo). LC also provides counseling and representation before administrative and judicial bodies in Montenegro.

3. Education: The Roma Education Fund (REF) will undertake measures to improve academic achievements of pupils and reduce the language barrier for pupils who study in the branch department school and main building of elementary school Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin. REF will provide support and assistance to children in mastering social skills and knowledge as well as providing support in improvement of a greater level of self-confidence and the level of readiness for all future processes of integration, desegregation and socialization. In order to achieve this aim pedagogical practices and the preparation of future teachers for work in multicultural classes and school communities will be also provided. For each group of students’ volunteers one-day trainings will be organized and comprehensive supervision of their work with RAE pupils. The project team will organize additional classes to overcome children’s’ language barriers and will create conditions for enrolment in integrated schools through the provision of intensive community work, extracurricular activities, transportation, equipment, footwear, clothing, free books and cooperation with relevant institutions on local and government level.

4.Early childhood development: This program-component aims at improving the access to early childhood education and development for RAE children 1) within their families – by empowering and developing the capacities of the mothers, giving them opportunity to learn practical parenting skills and gain a better understanding of their child’s development and 2) within the formal education – by lobbying at local authorities for a higher level of inclusion and by encouraging and supporting RAE parents to enroll their children into pre-school. In a later phase Toy library is planned to be established and run.

5.Adult literacy classes: Literacy Program will be designed to empower RAE parents with literacy skills. The Program will have a special focus on women. Sub/component will be RAE women empowerment: Program activities will enable women in Konik Camp to take literacy classes, including health, human rights (especially women’s and children rights). The aim is to build the capacity of RAE women to lead their families and communities to increased well-being, including better health and higher incomes, through literacy, leadership and family health matters training. RAE mothers will be encouraged to be first teachers of their children and to support their children in schooling/education by developing positive parental attitudes towards education/schooling and by learning and practicing methods that foster child development.

6. Employment: support to income-generation activities has proven to be one of the best ways to enable the vulnerable population to sustain an acceptable standard of living based on their own resources, focusing on long-term solutions for the beneficiaries. Within this component, HELP has foreseen support to 80 RAE and I/DPs from the Konik settlement with sound business ideas, but insufficient own means for their implementation, to start up or develop existing economic activities in order to provide a regular income for their families. The assistance will consist of in-kind grants (equipment and/or material, livestock) with an average value of € 1,200 for starting up/improve or resume economic activities and basic business and vocational trainings and constant professional follow-up and advice.

7.Recycling and waste management: The local NGO Green Home will hold a number of workshops addressing various aspects of recycling including environmental protection, its potential as an income generating activity, needs of the RAE regarding waste disposal and recommendations to governmental institutions. In addition training will include preparing waste collectors for possible changes in the dynamics of the waste collection sector that may accompany campaigns for a cleaner environment and governmental legislation. Through these workshops they will also be informed on the recycling without using adverse methods and making irreversible changes in the nature, because this is very often seen situation. Also, impacts of landfills on human health and dangers due to the improper waste separation and disposal will be themes of the workshops.

8. Health: Help has already engaged a social worker who among other performs duties typically carried out by Roma Health Mediators. She together with 2 Roma assistants will be trained in the full range of Roma Health Mediators and will then provide services that lead to improved access of RAE to the health system in Montenegro. Roma Health Mediators will also work on health promotion (healthy life styles, reproductive health, mental health, chronic noninfectious disease and infectious diseases) through health sessions. RHM would facilitate the communication between the medical personnel and the Roma community, representing a cross-cultural bridge with role in conflict prevention.This would contribute to better communication between local community and Roma and their integration, and the RHM would present real social agents. This part of a program has gender dimension, since RHM would be female, which would have influence on empowering women and undermine prevailing perceptions about appropriate women’s role.

9. RAE teaching assistants and training sessiond for teachers: In-service training program will be provided to the teachers and a model for RAE Teaching Assistants training and ToR will be designed and developed; Trainers will be chosen based on their experiences in working on similar projects related to the inclusion of Roma into mainstream schools and kindergarten. Monitoring of their activities will be organized and conducted to ensure clearly defined roles and functions of RAE teaching assistants/mediators.

10. Good practices exchanging: 1. Regular meetings will be held among RAE Teaching Assistants and teachers to exchange their own experiences and to improve further engagement with RAE children, their families and institutions. 2. Success stories could be recorded (story telling – interesting for ECED) as well as put in the written form in order to present the experience to other countries. 3. REF partners from neighbouring countries (Roma Decade countries) will present experience and methods in working with RAE/Roma population

11. Return activities: This Action will pursue adequate return solutions for those RAE families who are interested in this durable solution. Specifically, DRC will organise the participation of approximately 340 RAE displaced in 29 cross-border events, including Go-and-See Visits and other return initiatives, through which the displaced will be provided with first-hand information and will be enabled to directly participate in the return process. If the families’ durable solution decision is to return to Kosovo, DRC will actively work on trying to facilitate their return to Kosovo, by referring them to Authorities in Kosovo (MCR and Municipalities) and Reconstruction Agencies working in the area. According to recent DRC assessment in Konik area, through this Action DRC will focus on facilitating the return to Kosovo for at least 50 families through referral for reconstruction and advocacy; upon needs assessment, transport facilitation and basic return assistance might be provided to the returnee families, provided they will not be receiving the same assistance by the Kosovo projects.

12. Technical Assistance to Project Implementation Unit: The Government of Montenegro invested considerable resources in addressing the issues pertaining to the RE population. The two main strategies being the National Strategy for durable solutions of issues regarding displaced and internally displaced persons in Montenegro, with special emphasis on the Konik area and the strategy for improving the position of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro 2012-2016 provide the framework on how these issues will be addressed and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has been entrusted with their coordination and implementation.

The PIU established in the context of this institutional framework is expected to fill the gap between the policies and strategies and projects. The implementation however involves the Ministries such as Education and Sports, Health, Housing, Human and Minority Rights, the Bureau for the Care of the Refugees, the Montenegrin Employment Agency, the Municipalities, donors, organisations such as UNHCR and NGOs as well as representatives of the RAE community.

In order to address the challenges arising from the involvement of such diverse stakeholders an approach which fosters the establishment of horizontal and vertical partnerships will be promoted. The Action is an important element in the establishment of permanent structures for the institutions to manage and coordinate their policies and programmes. It is crucial to streamline the policies developing a clear vision and mandate for the PIU in promoting durable and sustainable solutions. The management structure will be developed and once the roles and responsibilities are clarified, considerable training will be provided to the members of the PIU and the key decision makers in programme and project management, PCM, monitoring and evaluation, and financial reporting with emphasis on on-the-job-training. Throughout the programme, the members of the PIU will be assisted in fulfilling their responsibilities and during the closing phase it will be ensured that the handing.

Assistance: Food, hygiene Items and Firewood for vulnerable Families affected by snow in the North of Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-86 Assistance: food, hygiene items and firewood for the vulnerable families affected by snow in the North of Montenegro

:: DONOR

German Embassy in Podgorica

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

February – March 2012 :: 50.000.00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Renovation of the Gym of the School “Božidar Vuković Podgoričanin” Podgoric

:: PROJECT

Mon-85  Renovation of the gym of the school “Božidar Vuković Podgoričanin” Podgorica

:: DONOR

German Embassy in Podgorica

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

February 2012 :: 7.000.00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Flood Rehabilitation for affected families in Plav and Beran

:: PROJECT

Mon-80 Flood rehabilitation for affected families in Plav and Berane

:: DONOR

Caritas Luxemburg

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

April – December 2011. :: 100.000 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Construction of 10 prefab Houses for the Accommodation of Refugees in Herceg Novi

:: PROJECT

Mon-78 Construction of 10 prefab houses for the accommodation of refugees in Herceg Novi

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

April – December 2011. :: 222.000.00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Housing, psycho-social and medical Support for most vulnerable Refugees in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-76 Housing, psycho-social and medical support for most vulnerable refugees in Montenegro

:: DONOR

UNHCR

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January 2011 – December 2011 :: 735.725.00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Firewood for Families in Plav and Berane affected by Flooding

:: PROJECT

Mon-75 Assistance: firewood for families in Plavand Berane affected by flooding

:: DONOR

Caritas Luxembourg

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

December 2010 – February 2011. :: 24.960 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Flood Relief Assistance in the North of Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-74 Flood relief assistance in the North of Montenegro

:: DONOR

German Embassy in Podgorica

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

December 2010 – February 2011. :: 11.300 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Construction of a Children’s Playground in Konik, Vrela Ribnièka, Podgorica

:: PROJECT

Mon-71 Construction of a children’s playground in Konik, VrelaRibnièka, Podgorica

:: DONOR

US Embassy in Podgorica

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

October – November 2010. :: 25.000 USD

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Improvement of living Conditions for RAE Population in Berane

:: PROJECT

Mon-70 Improvement of living conditions for RAE population in Berane

:: DONOR

German Embassy Podgorica

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

July – November 2010. :: 12.500,00 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

Self-help Housing Construction for Refugees and Flood Relief Assistance in North of Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-68 Self-help housing construction for refugees and flood relief assistance in North of Montenegro

:: DONOR

UNHCR

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

January – December 2010. :: 652.656,49 EUR

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

…

Comprehensive Support for Refugees and displaced Persons in Montenegro

:: PROJECT

Mon-64 Comprehensive support for refugees and displaced persons in Montenegro

:: DONOR

Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

15.09.2009 – 14.02.2011

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

The Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro and German NGO HELP-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe in Montenegro, have signed a contract for the implementation of the project „Comprehensive support to refugees and displaced persons in Montenegro“. The total value of the donation provided by the European Commission for this project is € 1,5 million, while the project is co-financed by UNHCR with € 40.268 and Caritas Luxembourg with € 30.000, making the total value of the project of
€ 1.570.268.

The project has several components that aim to support both refugees and DPs living under difficult conditions, as well as a number of local socially vulnerable households in Montenegro. The project is in line with the National Strategy for Solving Issues of Refugees and DPs in Montenegro, which has been adopted by the Montenegrin Government in 2005, and is covering two aspects stated in this document as guidelines for efficient solving of the problelms for these populations – integration into Montenegrin society and sustainable return of DP population to Kosovo.

Under the terms of this project, refugees and displaced persons will be assisted through donations for providing necessary inputs for starting/upgrading small businesses combined with basic business training, as well as through providing building materials for construction of new and adaptation of existing housing objects on self-help basis.
HELP`s international project partner, the Danish Refugee Council, will organize visits in municipalities in Kosovo and information meetings for the displaced persons, in order to provide them with accurate information about the conditions for their sustainable return to their places of origin.

The main donor for the project is the European Union, represented by the Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro. HELP’s partners in the implementation of this project are the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Montenegrin non-governmental organizaton Community Development Center (CDC) which will provide special training for persons with increased problems for employment/self-employment. .

HELP will cooperate with the Montenegrin Bureau for the Care of Refugees, UNHCR, and the Directorate for SME Development in the implementation of this project.

The project starts on 15 September 2009 and will last for 17 months and it is expected that approximately 270 households of refugees and DPs will benefit from the income generation and housing programmes, while approximately 900 persons will participate in cross-border activities that are going to be organized in Kosovo.

Construction of 15 pre-fabricated Houses for Refugees in Plav

:: PROJECT

Mon-63 Construction of 15 pre-fabricated houses for refugees in Plav

:: DONOR

German Foreign Ministry through the Stability Pact for South East Europe

:: REALISATION / BUDGET

15.04.2009 to 15.02.20010; € 336,385.00

:: SHORT DESCRIPTION

8% of the population of the Montenegrin city of Plav are refugees (1,156 persons) and displaced persons (2,045 persons). The municipality of Bar thus has one of the highest quotas of refugees/DPs in Montenegro. There are a number of informal collective settlements where vulnerable refugees/DPS have found temporary accommodation; however, many of them are threatened by compulsory eviction or the living conditions in these settlements are of substandard quality that is not fit for human housing.

In addition there is a larger number of refugee/displaced families who face increasing difficulties of paying rent for private accommodation or whose private accommodation falls into the category of substandard housing not fit for human housing.

With the funding made available by the German Foreign Ministry HELP will be able to construct 15 pre-fabricated houses with an average size of 40m² each on a plot of land to be made available by the municipality of Bar. The average cost per m² amounts to approximately Euro 385. The municipality has also pledged to cover all the cost of infrastructure connections.

The selection of beneficiaries will be carried out by a joint commission consisting of representatives of UNHCR, the Montenegrin Bureau for the Care of Refugees and HELP.