Beneficiaries of the EU-supported project “Open Gate for a New Beginning” took part in manifestation “Bakers’ Days” traditionally organised in Aleksinac by Agricultural School “Sumatovac”.

Beneficiaries of daily care centre and supported living services jointly made and decorated a slava cake, thus presenting themselves to public in Aleksinac. On this occasion, visitors of manifestation were given decorative items, made by beneficiaries during their working therapy. Making of slava cake was their symbol of family and fellowship, whereas participation in Bakers’ Days a wonderful experience which confirmed their belonging to local community and increasingly successful social integration.

slavski-kolac-2

Within “Open Gate for a New Beginning“ Project, Municipality of Aleksinac started the process of de-institutionalisation and for the first time established supported living service for persons with intellectual and mental disabilities.

The Project is funded by the EU within Open Hug Project (http://otvorenizagrljaj.rs) and implemented by Gerontological Centre “Jelenac“ from Aleksinac in partnership with the Municipality of Aleksinac and Association for Creativity Development in the period from June 2014 to mid-December 2015. Total value of the Project is EUR181.120, out of which the EU Delegation to Serbia funds 84 per cent.

The Project established two new services: supported living and daily care services. The goal is to implement successful de-institutionalisation of a total of eight beneficiaries in Tesica, successful preparation of 12 beneficiaries for the process of relocation and prevention of institutionalisation  on the territory of Aleksinac Municipality.