Miljana, a 27-year-old resident of a Roma settlement in Svilajnac, has her share of life’s challenges. After graduating from a trade high school, she found herself in the role of a single mother to her seven-year-old daughter, Petra. Their previous dwelling, a small, run-down house, offered far from ideal living conditions. However, recently, a positive change came into their lives. They moved into a newly constructed social housing building just across the narrow street from their old neighborhood. This seemingly small transition made a world of difference in their living conditions. Their new apartment is not only spacious but also fully furnished with brand-new furniture and modern household appliances.
Miljana is a beneficiary of the “New Homes and Inclusive Environment for Vulnerable Categories of the Population in Svilajnac” project, which is part of the EU Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion (EU SHAI) programme. Beyond providing her with a comfortable new home, this initiative has also empowered her towards financial independence and social inclusion. Miljana actively participated in workshops aimed at enhancing her employability, including training to obtain her category B driving license.
“The active inclusion measures play a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s sustainability, as it is meticulously designed and implemented in alignment with the unique needs of families and individual family members.”
Dragana Milosevic, the Project Manager of the EU SHAI programme
Regarding social housing, the project employs three methods of support: constructing new apartments and houses, acquiring pre-existing houses for beneficiaries, and renovating houses already owned by beneficiaries. To date, a total of 127 families, comprising 361 family members (171 males and 190 females), have successfully transitioned to their new residences in newly constructed social housing units located in Cacak, Svilajnac, Loznica, Vrnjac ka Banja, Ljubovija, Sabac, and Raska. Additionally, 14 family houses have been built in Koceljeva and Zagubica, accommodating the families that now call them home. Furthermore, the project has procured 56 village houses and completed the renovation of 92 houses, all aimed at improving housing conditions for those in need.
Dragana Milosevic, the Project Manager of the EU SHAI programme, elaborates on the comprehensive support offered to families selected for social housing. This support is intricately tailored to the specific needs of each family member, determined through a thorough assessment following the social housing selection process. She states, “For instance, if a family comprises four members requiring support, we provide assistance accordingly. In cases where an individual has unique needs, such as a person with a disability in need of a wheelchair or, in one instance, a young boy attending a high school in another town requiring dormitory fees, we covered those expenses, enabling him to complete his high school education. Some individuals might need to attend specific courses; for instance, we offered welding courses, a highly sought-after profession today, and facilitated their participation.”
To date, the project has extended its support to 324 families, encompassing over 1,000 individuals, through an array of active inclusion measures. Among these, 167 children have received educational support, while 104 adult men and 221 women have undergone educational training. Furthermore, 146 families have benefited from income-generating grants, 42 beneficiaries have been temporarily engaged in work, and 29 beneficiaries have become self-employed. Psychosocial support has been administered to 135 families, involving 391 members. Additionally, approximately 280 families have received assistance in the form of furniture and household appliances. Dragana underscores the significance of the active inclusion component, stating, “It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s sustainability, as it is meticulously designed and implemented in alignment with the unique needs of families and individual family members.”
“The EU SHAI project has brought about substantial changes in people’s lives, and they are keenly aware of this transformation.”
Dragana Milosevic, the Project Manager of the EU SHAI programme
Dragana emphasizes the utmost importance of supporting education and professional advancement among beneficiaries, recognizing that merely providing social housing does not comprehensively address their challenges. She elaborates, “To enhance their social standing, individuals must augment their skills and education. By improving their employment prospects, they can transition from being recipients of government social support.” She further notes, “The EU SHAI programme has brought about substantial changes in people’s lives, and they are keenly aware of this transformation.”
About the project
The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (EU SHAI) is designed to enhance the implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population. The European Union (EU) has allocated 27 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 63 month-long implementations of the Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been selected as the implementing partner.
The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (EU SHAI)
Photo credits: EU SHAI
Regarding social housing, the project employs three methods of support: constructing new apartments and houses, acquiring pre-existing houses for beneficiaries, and renovating houses already owned by beneficiaries. To date, a total of 127 families, comprising 361 family members (171 males and 190 females), have successfully transitioned to their new residences in newly constructed social housing units located in Cacak, Svilajnac, Loznica, Vrnjac ka Banja, Ljubovija, Sabac, and Raska. Additionally, 14 family houses have been built in Koceljeva and Zagubica, accommodating the families that now call them home. Furthermore, the project has procured 56 village houses and completed the renovation of 92 houses, all aimed at improving housing conditions for those in need.
Dragana Milosevic, the Project Manager of the EU SHAI programme, elaborates on the comprehensive support offered to families selected for social housing. This support is intricately tailored to the specific needs of each family member, determined through a thorough assessment following the social housing selection process. She states, “For instance, if a family comprises four members requiring support, we provide assistance accordingly. In cases where an individual has unique needs, such as a person with a disability in need of a wheelchair or, in one instance, a young boy attending a high school in another town requiring dormitory fees, we covered those expenses, enabling him to complete his high school education. Some individuals might need to attend specific courses; for instance, we offered welding courses, a highly sought-after profession today, and facilitated their participation.”
To date, the project has extended its support to 324 families, encompassing over 1,000 individuals, through an array of active inclusion measures. Among these, 167 children have received educational support, while 104 adult men and 221 women have undergone educational training. Furthermore, 146 families have benefited from income-generating grants, 42 beneficiaries have been temporarily engaged in work, and 29 beneficiaries have become self-employed. Psychosocial support has been administered to 135 families, involving 391 members. Additionally, approximately 280 families have received assistance in the form of furniture and household appliances. Dragana underscores the significance of the active inclusion component, stating, “It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s sustainability, as it is meticulously designed and implemented in alignment with the unique needs of families and individual family members.”
Dragana emphasizes the utmost importance of supporting education and professional advancement among beneficiaries, recognizing that merely providing social housing does not comprehensively address their challenges. She elaborates, “To enhance their social standing, individuals must augment their skills and education. By improving their employment prospects, they can transition from being recipients of government social support.” She further notes, “The EU SHAI programme has brought about substantial changes in people’s lives, and they are keenly aware of this transformation.”
About the project
The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (EU SHAI) is designed to enhance the implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population. The European Union (EU) has allocated 27 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 63 month-long implementations of the Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been selected as the implementing partner.
Photo credits: EU SHAI
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