Since 2000, the EU has been the biggest donor of assistance for refugees and IDPs in Serbia. Through its numerous projects, the Union has allocated EUR90 million in support of finding housing solutions for refugees and IDPs.
As of 2001, in cooperation with Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, the EU supported over 6 000 families, constructed more than 1 600 apartments and prefabricated houses, purchased 269 rural households and delivered 2 313 packages aimed at increasing economic resilience.
By the end of 2016, thanks to EU support, the nine remaining collective centres, currently providing shelter for 347 people, will have been closed.
For a better life
nova kuća za porodicu izbeglica u Bojniku
The EU has allocated EUR14.2 million for the programme aimed at improving the living conditions of forced migrants and closure of collective centres in Serbia “For a better life” in order to ensure successful integration and adequate living conditions of those who have decided to stay in Serbia and ensure sustainable return for people who want to go back to Kosovo*. The project was launched in March 2013 and is due for completion in 2016.
So far, 91 families have moved in furnished apartments, 220 families have received support to return to Kosovo, 189 families have been given prefabricated houses, 110 families have received returnee packages supporting their return to Kosovo, whereas 13 returnee groups, a total of 28 people, have been financially supported to start their own business. Also, 10 star-ups have been launched and training conducted for 13 returnee groups or a total of 42 persons.
Taking care of refugees in the region
Regional housing programme is a joint initiative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia aimed at finding durable housing solutions for some 27 000 of the most vulnerable refugee families (around 74 000 people) in the region, out of which 16 780 families reside in Serbia (some 45 000 people). The allocation of EUR230 million makes the EU the biggest donor of the programme worth EUR261 million.
Assisting Serbia in facing refugee crisis
Through a separate assistance project, the European Commission has awarded EUR7 million to Serbia to help it tackle the refugee crisis. In cooperation with Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy and organisations HELP, ASB and Danish Refugee Council, the project is implemented in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot, Presevo, Subotica and Sid.
Asylum Centre in Krnjaca has also been renovated, as well as three facilities pertaining to reception centre in Bosilegrad. Also, the procedure for reconstruction of centres in Pirot, Dimitrovgrad and Banja Koviljaca have been launched, 450 beds have been purchased and 249 people hired to help in meeting the daily needs of refugees and migrants. The EU has allocated more than EUR30 million for this kind of support through various financial lines.
Centar za azil u Krnjači renoviran sredstvima EU
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC Resolution 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion of the Kosovo Declaration of independence.
