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Almost two hundred thousand euros have been set aside for the purchase of houses for the most vulnerable in ten municipalities in Serbia

The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia and the Mayors of ten Municipalities today signed a cooperation agreement for the implementation of the Project “Reintegration of Returnees under the Agreement on Readmission from Germany and other EU Countries through the Provision of Permanent Housing Solutions” to the value of € 193,000.

Signing of the Agreement in the Palace of Serbia was also attended by Daniela Funke, Director of the German Organization for International Cooperation GIZ.

Funds for the implementation of the Project were approved for ten Municipalities - Kikinda, Kula, Subotica, Zrenjanin, Novi Sad, Subotica, Bor, Kraljevo, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac and Surdulica following the Public Invitation which was published by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia at the beginning March 2023.

The maximum amount of funds intended for the purchase of a country house with a garden or suitable real estate for housing per Local Self-Government District is 4,528,925 RSD and the maximum amount of funds allocated by the Local Self-Government District per family household is 1,509,641 RSD.

“The goal of this Project is to contribute to the full social reintegration of Returnees under the Readmission Agreement by providing a permanent housing solution, while providing support to Project Beneficiaries in exercising other rights and services through recommendation of additional measures and support. We strive to help Local Governments to strengthen themselves in order to better serve their citizens and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. This Project which lasts until the end of July will provide housing for 15 families of Returnees under the Readmission Agreement. In addition to housing, the Project's activities are also aimed at providing additional support to Returnees which include counselling and referral to other socio-economic measures offered by other Organizations and Partners in order to ensure comprehensive and sustainable integration and prevent re-migration. During 2022, according to the records of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, a total of 605 Returnees (86 families) were registered through the Office at the Belgrade Airport based on the Readmission Agreement”, Commissioner Stanisavljević said.

The implementation of the Project “Reintegration of Returnees under the Readmission Agreement from Germany and other EU Countries through the Provision of Permanent Housing Solutions” was made possible with the support of the global programme of German Development Cooperation “Migration for Development” implemented in Serbia by the German Organization for International Cooperation.

Director of the GIZ Office in Serbia, Daniela Funke, stated that Returnees face various challenges and one of the most difficult is re-establishing a household. Active engagement of all interested parties is essential for supporting the most vulnerable categories of Returnees in accordance with the Agreement on Readmission in Socio-Economic Reintegration by providing a coordinated response of all relevant national institutions.

“German Development cooperation has been, and will continue to offer full support to our Partners in Serbia through provision of reintegration measures in order to improve the socio-economic position of Returnees as well as other vulnerable groups of the local population at risk of possible migration. The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia as a key National Authority in this matter can rely on support of GIZ in the process of setting a strategic course”, Funke pointed out.

The global programme “Migration for Development” is part of a broader initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development which promotes sustainable reintegration of Returnees and their stay in the home country by creating opportunities for dignified work and life in it. The program in Serbia is implemented by the German Organization for International Cooperation.