EU support to education and social inclusion in Šabac and Ljubovija

"Taking care about the development of the potential of young people and improving their knowledge is an important step towards creating a better environment. It is also one of the most beautiful tasks of every parent, and if the local self-government provides this kind of space and conditions for development, then it is a service of incredible value for the community," said Nicola Bertolini and congratulated the City of Šabac and UNOPS on the implementation of this successful project. As he added, the EU finances numerous projects in the field of education, but the project for talented students in Šabac is unique in its kind.

With the EU grants of almost 180,000 Euros provided through the EU PRO Plus programme and a significant participation of the City of Šabac of  268,000 Euros, the building of the Science Centre  has been completely reconstructed and now it is equipped cabinets for physics, biology and chemistry, multimedia classrooms, internet cafes as well as 14 three-bed rooms for the accommodation of children from all over Serbia, who will be able to attend thematically organised programmes for talented children.

„The Science Centre represents an upgrade to the education system where our best pupils will develop their potential and gain new knowledge with the best teachers working here. We have accommodation capacity for about 40 students who will acquire the additional knowledge and skills needed for the success they achieve in national and international competitions”,, said Aleksandar Pajić, Mayor of Šabac.

In Šabac, Bertolini visited the newly built homes for 23 families from the vulnerable groups,, the construction of which was supported by the EU through the programme "European Union Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion" (EU SHAI).

During his visit to Ljubovija, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation together with the Mayor Milan Jovanović, visited the project implemented via the European Union Support for Social Housing and Active Inclusion programme, that enabled 14 families to move into new and equipped homes.

Then Bertolini and Jovanović visited the "Poletarac" Preschool, which has been completely renovated and now provides significantly better conditions for the stay and education of around 200 youngest residents of the municipality.

The EU supported the renovation of the preschool institution with close to 170,000 Euros, extended through the EU PRO Plus programme. The kindergarten facility was expanded, the renovated kitchen is now equipped with new kitchen appliances, while the worn-out floors and heating network were replaced, along with the construction of an external hydrant network, an isolation room and a room for pellets.

"The projects we implemented together with the municipality of Ljubovija are particularly important for vulnerable population, children and families from vulnerable groups in society, but I also had the opportunity to see how our previous support in flood protection prevent major damages this year”, said Nicola Bertolini.

"In the previous period, the municipality of Ljubovija, with the support of the EU, implemented three important projects worth around 1.3 million Euros. For us, these are large and significant funds equal to almost a fifth of our total budget that were invested in better quality of life of our citizens", said the Mayor of the municipality of Ljubovija, Milan Jovanović.