The project “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building in Employment Policy” is a part of the IPA 2013 national program for social development. The National Employment Service received direct financial assistance to improve and implement active labour market measures. The financial support (6,3 milion euros) is provided by the European Union to assist Serbia, and is implemented under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The core focus of the project is the development of systems and processes that significantly contribute to efficient and effective matching of labour supply and demand and overall functioning of the labour market, with special emphasis on the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

According to the latest data of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, there are around 715.000 persons with disabilities in Serbia, and the unemployment in this socially sensitive group is higher than the national average, amounting to 12.7%. Persons with disabilities are in an extremely difficult position in the labour market, facing barriers and prejudice that lead to their long-term unemployment, demotivation and exclusion. Hence, special focus in this project is put on strengthening the institutional capacities in order to improve professional rehabilitation and employment of vulnerable groups.

The project contributes to the overarching policy objectives of the National Employment Strategy 2011-2020 of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the Republic of Serbia by building a more knowledgeable and skilled labour force, promoting social inclusion of vulnerable populations and enabling greater opportunities for a better standard of living in alignment with the targets set forth by the Europe 2020 Strategy.

There are two main project purposes:
• To reduce labour market skills mismatches by improving the existing NES training system
• To improve the impact of employment measures and services tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities.

The project will be implemented trough six different components : improving NES training programs by identifying and tackling skill gaps of the unemployed, improving NES training processes, enhancing NES measures and employment services in favour of persons with disabilities, improving the delivery of vocational rehabilitation in enterprises for vocational rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities, providing technical assistance to NES and MoLEVSA in management of the IPA 2013 direct grant to NES, and to ensure visibility of the project to attract participation and open a social dialogue.

For more information :

Planet CBEP
National Employment Service, Dečanska 8 – 4th floor, Room 416, 11000 Belgrade
Contacts: info.cbep.planet@gmail.com www.cbep.eu Phone: +381 60 860 6000