Local Mechanisms for Integration of Marginalized Groups is a project of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization that supports and strengthens citizens' associations and local initiatives that respond to the social, educational, cultural and other needs of vulnerable groups to improve the integration and position of other marginalized groups at the local level.

The overall goal of the project was to strengthen local mechanisms for socio-economic integration of marginalized groups in the Republic of Serbia.

The target groups of this project were local associations of citizens who have experience in working with vulnerable groups (Roma, Returnees, IDPs) and families (groups / persons who are repeatedly marginalized and exposed to poverty and social exclusion).

The project is supported by the Hoffnung fur Osteuropa (HfO), and six local initiatives in Serbia have been selected:

1. Didactics, Serbian and mathematics
The Center for the Development of the Roma Community "Amaro Drom" from Smederevska Palanka provided and installed a smart board in the classroom of the Elementary School "Olga Milošević". By translating the software program into Roma language, 15 students from the Roma community received great support in mastering and learning school materials in an interactive way.

2. Health for all
Roma Association "Zora", Babušnica increased the level of awareness of the Roma community about the importance of preventive health control and raised the level of health culture of Roma of all ages in rural areas of the municipality of Babušnica by organizing preventive health examinations. During the project, 40 Roma and 20 non-Roma families were visited, 90 Roma children and the same number of adults in 10 surrounding villages were examined.

3. Autism speaks with the heart
Women's Initiative "Jefimija", Sremska Mitrovica: The program for children with autism has made it possible to master the skills of making didactic material that contributes to the development and improvement of motor skills of children with autism spectrum.

4. Knowledge has power
The Association "Roma Heart of Kruševac" and "Roma Center" from Kragujevac strengthened the Roma community in Kragujevac and Kruševac for active job search through various trainings on writing a resume, cover letter and organizing trainings for professional occupations. (interview with a user in German). Special focus was given to the professional training of returnees from the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Serbia on the basis of the Readmission Agreement.

5. Civil rights and obligations
The association "Roma Herc" from Lebane implemented a project to raise awareness of the Roma community about civil rights, obligations and rights in a timely manner and the consequences of untimely objections / appeals against court decisions through informing and educating members of the Roma community in Lebane. (ROMINFOMEDIA and ROMAWORLD media releases)

6. Support to socially disadvantaged students in the final grades
The humanitarian association "Đina" from Bačko Gradište provided support to Roma and other marginalized young people for inclusion in the education system and achieving full social inclusion - 16 workshops were organized with students, a student portfolio was created and an individual support plan was created for each student.

Implementation period: January 2020 - December 2020

Partner: Hoffnung für Osteuropa, Diakonie Württemberg

Coordinator: Milisav Milinković, mail: milisav@ehons.org