Milena Isakovic, Programme Officer for Equitable Growth, UNDP Serbia

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Strong regional and rural-urban inequalities, depopulation

75% of rural population is engaged in subsistence agriculture

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55% of population in Serbia lives in rural areas

85% of the territory is rural

135,000 women as helping household members - unpaid

Objective: diversification of rural non-farm economy and improvement of living conditions in rural areas

UNDP Serbia is supporting several projects related to rural development:◦Strengthening Rural Social Capital &

Networks◦Joint Programme on Sustainable Tourism

for Rural Development◦Joint Programme on Youth Employment

and Migration◦PRO and MIR2

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Supported by the Government of Romania, ending in December 2009

Target municipalities: Zitiste, Coka, Mali Idjos, Alibunar & Irig

Trainings in the LEADER approach, project cycle management, project development, financial planning◦ Including mentoring support & homework

assignments First steps in the establishment of Local

Action Groups in Serbia

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South Backa, Pcinjski & Belgrade May 2009 – October 2011 Youth Employment Fund to offer:

1. Trainings2. Work placements3. Self-employment grants and mentoring◦Targeting youth with low levels of education◦ Implemented in cooperation with the National

Employment Service, Ministry of Economy & Regional Development, and ILO

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Continued support through the Joint Programme on Sustainable Tourism for Rural Development◦Eastern Serbia (Stara planina), Lower Danube, Central

Serbia and South Banat on the Danube◦Support for Local Action Groups (UNDP)◦National Masterplan for Rural Tourism, National Rural

Development Programme◦Small grants for:

Diversification of Rural Economy through Tourism (FAO)

Tourism Development (UNWTO) Active Learning competition (UNICEF)

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Lessons learned from the (pre) accession process, LEADER and LAG operations

Partnership for local projects (CBC)

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Strengthening Rural Social Capital & Networks: http://www.undp.org.rs/index.cfm?event=public.ProjectsDetails&revid=B4BA335D-BBE0-3A18-80F2B8F2C79E4095

PRO (South West Serbia): http://www.pro.undp.org.rs/

Milena Isakovic, milena.isakovic@undp.org