Employed Empowered: Successful first Roundtable in Belgrade

 “Identifying the Employment gap: vulnerable groups in the labour market”

Characterised by high levels of energy, commitment and participation (49 participants), the first roundtable of ‘Employed, Empowered’ kicked off the strategic planning strand of the project in Belgrade on September 14-15.

The two research directors of the project, Prof. Mihail Arandarenko and Dr Goran Opacic presented the findings of their surveys (The labour market in Serbia and the demographics of the migrant populations respectively) and engaged in an initial discussion with the participants, chaired by Prof. Slobodan Cvejić from the Department of Sociology at the University of Belgrade.

Attended by a wide range of stakeholders and experts, including help desk officers and project managers from the partner organisations, international NGOs, national NGOs, government representatives including the Deputy Commissioner for Refugees, Nikola Vukojevic and the State Secretary in the Ministry for Economy and Regional Development, Vladimir Ilic as well as the representative of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Jelica Stojanovic, the event laid a solid and creative groundwork for the rest of the project to build on. 

With a motivating introductory address from the Director of Programmes, and ‘Employed, Empowered’ Manager, Corinna Noack-Aetopulos, the roundtable set the tone for a positive and constructive continuation of the project to face the challenges set by their task.

Main observations drawn from the roundtable :

1. high reliance on informal economy and personal contacts for survival among the target groups
2. the target group is very active
3. support activities by the state are available, but information does not reach out to the most marginalised
4. refugees and IDPs can not be regarded or treated as a homogenous disadvantaged group. Thorough segmentation and targeted measures are required for effective assistance.
5. the most pressing issues are housing and employment opportunities
6. property rights are far from being sorted out, which leads to a lack of capital available to the target group
7. most refugees want to integrate, but emigration to third counties is viewed as  especially attractive among target group respondents in South Serbia

Main observations of the 3 working groups:  

1. a clear change in attitude towards a culture of performance would be needed to improve employability among the target groups
2. a better knowledge of modern skills is essential
3. positive discrimination for refugees and IDPs was discussed as a possible support mechanism
4. education needs to match labour market requirements

L-R:  Dr Goran Opacic, Professor Slobodan Cvejić and Corinna Noack-Aetopulos in the opening session.

Working group 1 in session

L-R: CDRSEE Development Officer, Ruth Sutton, Danijela Korać-Mandić, Project Director at the Novi Sad Humanitarian Center (project partner) and CDRSEE Director of Programmes, Corinna Noack-Aetopulos at the Roundtable event.