With over 2 million dinars allocated for kickstarting and enhancing businesses for both people with disabilities and employers, this initiative promises tangible support and opportunities.
On Friday, May 24, 2024, our partner the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Kragujevac and the Regional Agency for Economic Development of Šumadija and Pomoravlja, alongside the backing of the American Agency for International Development (USAID), unveiled this pioneering Fund aimed at fostering economic independence among persons with disabilities.
Đorđe Boljanović, project manager at the USAID mission in Serbia, underscored the significance of this initiative, stating, “Today, in partnership with the City of Kragujevac, under the ‘Job Fit’ project, we have inaugurated a Revolving Fund, offering over 2 million dinars to individuals with disabilities, employers, and companies employing people with disabilities, to kickstart or enhance their ventures. Over the next 12 months, we plan to establish similar Funds across Serbia, with USAID’s investment. Through this project, in collaboration with local authorities, we aim to provide support exceeding 4.3 million dinars for the empowerment of people with disabilities and their employers.”
Dejan Ružić, Deputy Mayor of Kragujevac, expressed gratitude towards the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation for their foresight in establishing this Fund and emphasized the city’s commitment to disability inclusion. “As a city, we recognize the importance of this initiative. Through various measures implemented in recent years, nearly 700 individuals with disabilities have transitioned out of unemployment, either through self-employment or within companies. We owe much to the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation for initiating this Fund, and I am confident that other municipalities will follow suit in recognizing its importance,” he remarked.
Designed for sustainability, the Revolving Fund expects users to return the allocated funds within three years, ensuring its continuity and enabling future applicants to benefit from this invaluable resource to enhance their ventures.
Designed for sustainability, the Fund expects users to return the allocated funds within three years, ensuring its continuity and enabling future applicants to benefit from this invaluable resource to enhance their ventures.
“Through the ongoing four-year endeavor known as the ‘Job Fit’ project, we, alongside our partners, are effectively fostering employment and self-employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our approach encompasses comprehensive campaigns, diverse training sessions, workshops, practical work programs, and facilitating employment support via the dedicated portal for employment of people with disabilities, zaposljavanje.fmi.rs. This Revolving Fund marks yet another stride towards a more inclusive society, promoting equitable opportunities for all citizens. Additionally, each user will receive substantial mentoring alongside financial assistance,” explained Ana Košel, Director of the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. She highlighted the Foundation’s longstanding collaboration with USAID in establishing such Funds for various demographics, citing their proven success and necessity.
“Embarking on innovative endeavors is always invigorating. Kragujevac has consistently demonstrated its responsiveness to initiatives, particularly in matters concerning employment and support for individuals with disabilities. This Fund’s establishment isn’t merely a spontaneous decision but a strategic move by the city. Its potential for a ripple effect is immense, paving the way for future expansion,” remarked Nenad Popović, Director of the Regional Agency for Economic Development of Šumadija and Pomoravlja.
The inception of the Incentive Fund received vital support from USAID, as part of the ‘Job Fit: Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ project. This overarching initiative aims at fostering equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and fostering a more inclusive labor market in Serbia. Spearheaded by the Youth with Disabilities Forum in collaboration with partners including the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Caritas of Serbia, Smart Kolektiv, and the Center for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia, the project stands as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment.
