On the 20th October 2007 IAN had the honour to welcome Mr Vladimir Spidla, EC Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and the Ambassador Josep M. Lloveras, Head of the EC Delegation to Serbia.

During his first official visit to Serbia Mr Spidla met with the representatives of the Social Innovation Fund - SIF (a program of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy) and, on their recommendation, also the International Aid Network. At a brief meeting the representatives of the Social Innovation Fund and IAN presented their cooperation and work in the field of developing sustainable social care and employment related programs for vulnerable population in Serbia and creating systemic change. Mr Spidla demonstrated high level of understanding of the issues Serbia is now facing in this sphere.

IAN Project Manager introduced the guests more closely with the Project Facilitation of durable solutions for refugees and returnees implemented by IAN through the CARDS programme of the EU. Project results achieved so far were presented, including the fact that around 30% of beneficiaries participating in the professional empowerment component who were unemployed when entering the program, found jobs due to the skill and knowledge acquired so far in the Project.

The EC representatives had an opportunity to see a part of the Life skills training realised within the Project and they spent a quarter of an hour talking to the beneficiaries about their experiences from the Project .

photos courtesy of Fonet News Agency, Belgrade

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Contact person : Gordana Stankov Stojiloviæ