‘Borders that connect’ – Initiative to enhance the employability of persons with mental disabilities (PwMD) in Serbia and Montenegro

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Programme: CBC SRB-MNE 2014-2020
Call for Proposals: 3rd
Contract No. 48-00-00163/2021-28-4  signed on 23/12/2022
Project Title: ‘Borders that connect’ – Initiative to enhance the employability of persons with mental disabilities (PwMD) in Serbia and Montenegro
Specific objective of the Programme: 1.1 Increasing employability and employment opportunities
Programmes’ result: 1.1.1. New knowledge, skills and competences – Improved knowledge, skills and competence, and work experience of unemployed and employed persons to better adjust to the needs of the labour market and to exploit the employment potential in perspective sectors
Project budget: Total contract amount (€): Contracted amount

EU (€)

and

% of total contract amount:
233,076.38 198,114.93

 85 %
Beneficiaries of funds: Lead applicant: Co-applicants:
MNE: NGO IMPULS Niksic

 

 SRB: Humanitarian organisation Child’s Heart

MNE: PI Day center for children with disabilities and people with disabilities Nikšić
Location of the action:

MNE:

SRB:

Niksic, Pluzine, and Savnik Zlatibor District in Serbia (Priboj, Prijepolje, Nova Varos)
Target groups:
  • 30 persons with mental disabilities;
  • 60 caregivers/families of PwMD,
  • 20 civil society organizations;
  •  12 representatives of local social institutions;
  • 30 representatives of local businesses
Commencement date and project duration: 01/02/2023, 24 months
Overall objective: Overall objective of this action is contribution to sustainable social inclusion and enabling opportunities of the persons with mental disabilities (PwMD) and their families in the cross-border area.
Specific objective(s): Specific objective of this action is to empower PwMD to become more employable and more active members of the society and live to their full potential.
Estimated results: 1.1 PwMD are empowered to be more active members of the society through social agriculture and life skills program

1.2.  Enhanced capacities of social workers, professional working with PwMD and   CSOs in their daily operations

1.3. Enhanced community-based support for PwMD and their families/caregivers

1.4. Convening opportunities created to enable cross-border exchange of practices between local decision makers, CSO’s and local stakeholders to discuss issues related to PwMD, their position and perception
Main activities

(in relation to the estimated results of the action):

 1.1.1. Mapping and research of the needs and the factual state on the main target group in the targeted areas

1.1.2. Development of the tailor-made program for training for PwMD in social agriculture and life skills

1.1.3. Two seven-day trainings of 30 PwMD for obtaining skills and knowledge for social agriculture

1.1.4. Program for social agriculture (herb collection) and geo-locating natural resource areas on both sides of the border

1.2.1. Development of a training program for social mentors (workers’ and qualified CSO’s working with PwMD) on social agriculture program and work therapy concept.

1.2.2. Training for social mentors

1.3.1. Six informative meetings organized for family/caregivers to discuss pressing issues and concerns with the local decision makers and social workers in targeted communities.  

1.3.2. Sensitizing local business community in targeted areas about the potential of employment of PwMD via in person meetings

1.3.3 Outreach activities and product promotion and positioning

1.4.1. Four cross-border roundtables organized with the aim of informing local and national stakeholders about the issues related to PwMD, their position and perception in targeted local communities.
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