The support will be provided in 12 municipalities and targeting 310 informal waste pickers and their family members affected by the modernization of waste management systems and the closure of existing landfills. This initiative will provide them access to health, education, and social services, as well as training, mentorship, and support for employment or self-employment. Through engaging additionally with the civil society organisations, the support will extend to around 1600 informal waste pickers and their family members.
Swiss Ambassador to Serbia, Anne Lugon-Moulin, highlighted that this partnership initiative reflects the Swiss Government's commitment to support local communities in improving quality of life and reduce the social exclusion of vulnerable groups.
“This initiative marks an important step in our shared efforts to support Serbia on its path to greater prosperity, ensuring that economic, social, and environmental goals go hand in hand by supporting the most vulnerable groups to integrate into the formal labor market and have access to education, healthcare, and social protection, enhancing quality of life and reaffirming their place in society. This effort goes beyond waste management – it’s about people,” said the Ambassador. She noted that Switzerland has been a key bilateral partner supporting Serbia for over 30 years, with this program focusing on governance in local municipalities, environmental protection, and social inclusion.
Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the importance of partnership and joint efforts among all parties involved in this initiative, stating: “UNOPS, UNICEF, and UNFPA, together with the Government of Serbia, local municipalities, and civil society organizations, with support from the Swiss Government, are working to address the complex challenges faced by informal waste pickers, one of the most vulnerable communities in Serbia.”
This intervention is complementary to the Serbia’s Solid Waste Program, jointly financed through a loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the French Development Agency to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The program's support includes the engagement of family assistants as key contact persons that connect informal waste pickers and their families with local institutions and services, represent their interests, and help them exercise their rights according to their specific needs. The program additionally supports local governments through the development of systematic policies, establishing structures and processes to ensure long-term solutions for improving the position of informal waste pickers.
The PRO program is jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia – UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in collaboration with the Government of Serbia and funded by the Swiss Government with 9 million euros from 2023 to 2026.
