The European Delegation to Serbia supported the project “Jointly for political and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities”, implemented in 2013/2014 by Centre for independent living of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in cooperation with National organisation of persons with disabilities of Serbia.
Project’s main goal was to increase the political participation of PWDs, their organisations’ role in policy development, as well as their influence in the process of making decisions concerning their status. Projects’ activities were focused on working with the Parliament, and three underdeveloped Serbian municipalities – Kladovo, Prijepolje and Novi Pazar.
Within the EUR50.000 worth project, the EU Delegation to Serbia has provided sources of procurement and adaptation of vehicle suitable for persons who use wheelchairs, to facilitate the movement and transportation of PWDs activists. Part of the funds were provided by Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Talking to representatives of Centre and National organisation, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport highlighted the importance of PWDs’ political participation on both national and local community levels, and promised EU Delegation’s further support in this process.
Project was partly implemented at the National Assembly of Serbia, where Centre and National organisation’s activities had worked to sensitise lawmakers and create a disability issues inter-parliamentarian group. MPs of the previous convocation had expressed their support to establishment of such a group so the idea is to pursue this project until the goal is accomplished.
Centre and National organisation also monitored and responded to law proposals dealing with PWDs, by proposing amendments to it.
In local communities, the project helpled advocating PWDs organisations’ active participation, which resulted in Memorandum of cooperation in three towns: this means that in policy making to come, representatives of these organisation will be invited to take part and cooperate.
If the project continues there is a plan to include new local communities in it, whilst monitoring the situation in the three municipalities.
