EU for a better life for all citizens in Vladičin Han and Velika Plana

“The European Union is taking care of the most vulnerable people in society and making everybody part of our support. This project giving a new life to 33 families by providing them the most important asset, the house and the economic activities, is the concrete sign that we all together can help the people who need it most”, said Nicola Bertolini.

"Thirty-three families could feel the hand of friendship, joint work and cooperation of the municipality of Vladičin Han and the EU Delegation. We enhanced social inclusion of the most vulnerable people living in the municipality, primarily persons with disabilities, as in this family, where six of the 12 members of the household have a certain degree of disability", said the Mayor of Vladičin Han, Goran Mladenović.

Mladenović reminded that through the project, in addition to the roof, facade, carpentry and furniture, this family was provided with the necessary support for members of the household with disabilities, as well as the support of personal assistants. The total value of the project is 665,232 Euros, of which the EU invested 588,327 Euros, and the municipality participated with 15 percent of the project value.

In Vladičin Han, Bertolini also met with representatives of citizens' associations that the EU supported through the ReLOaD programme with over 100,000 Euros per municipality with the aim of developing a system of transparent distribution of public funds to organisations and empowering civil society for project action in accordance with the priorities of the local community.

In Velika Plana, Nicola Bertolini together with the Mayor Igor Matković, visited the primary school "Karađorđe", which was renovated with the  EU funds through the EU PRO programme in order to improve the conditions for learning and living of around 200 children, while improving the energy efficiency of the school building, one of 100 schools founded in Serbia in 1904 on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of the First Serbian Uprising.

Bertolini ended his visit at the Association "Will for Life" and Daycare centre for children, young people and adults with developmental disabilities, which, with EU support, is improving the provision of daycare services through the establishment of a neurofeedback therapy service and renovation of their premises.

“This project presents the basics of living together and living together means taking care of others, in particular of people with needs”, said Nicola Bertolini after visiting the Association and added that improving education conditions is also important for keeping the young people in the local communities.

The Mayor of Velika Plana, Igor Matković, emphasised the importance of EU support in the improvement of local infrastructure, small businesses operating in the municipality, as well as the improvement of social services.