The Official Ground Breaking Ceremony was held today in Raca, announcing the commencement of construction works on Social Housing in Supportive Environment Building for the accommodation of 15 internally displaced and refugee domicile families who have been living in the collective centre ‘Karadjordjev dom’ for years.
The Project “European Union Support for Improving of the living Conditions of Forced Migrants” was funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and implemented by Danish Refugee Council with the support of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of the Republic of Serbia and Raca Municipality. This Project is part of a more comprehensive program funded by the European Union supporting improvement of living conditions of forced migrants – “For A Better Life”, with the total value of 14.2 million euro.
The event has been held in the presence of: Mr Dragan Stevanovic, President of Raca Municipality, Ms Ana Djunovic, Advisor in the Department for the implementation of the EU funded projects and other housing solutions projects on behalf of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of the Republic of Serbia, Ms Marina Cremonese, Representative of Danish Refugee Council Serbia and Mr Zivorad Popovic, Housing Solutions Coordinator on behalf of the Programme Monitoring Unit for Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia funded projects.
The project objective has been achieved by so far construction of foundations for the Social Housing Building in Supportive Environment comprising 15 apartment units meant as housing solution for 15 internally displaced and refugee families still residing in the collective centre “Karadjordjev dom” in Raca.
This will be the third SHSE building to have been built in Raca thanks to the EU funding (through IPA 2007, IPA 2011 and current IPA 2012)assisting a total of 42 families of refugees, internally displaced and domicile vulnerable families with dignified housing solutions. The approximate value of this building containing the total of 15 apartments and additional room for social gatherings, all equipped with basic furnishing will be EUR300.000,00.
Raca Municipality is the owner of housing units with all the rights and responsibilities emanating thereof, while the residents of a/m apartment units have the right of use without gaining property. Raca Municipality has participated in the Project by donating the construction plot equipped with all necessary infrastructure and urban planning and technical documentation.
Danish Refugee Council and Humanitarian Centre for Integration and Tolerance have assisted the families to obtain personal documents necessary for participation in the project, as well as to prepare for independent living conditions in this type of housing solution. Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Raca Municipality and Centre for Social Welfare “Sumadija”, Batocina have offered all necessary support for the implementation of these activities, with the aim of providing housing solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons who have been living in the harsh conditions of the collective center for years.
The EU funded Project “For a Better Life” is coherent with the government policies on refugees, IDPs and returnees and fully reflects their core principle – support integration of forced migrants who chose to stay in Serbia and support the sustainable return of those wishing to return to Kosovo.
