Press Release
German Government continues its support for the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups in the Western Balkans
German NGO Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe (Missions to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia) is informing the public of the launch of its 3.35 million EUR German-Government supported “Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans” programme
The German NGO Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe is implementing a 3.35 million Euros, German-Government supported “Socio-economic empowerment of the Western Balkans” programme to enhance the socio-economic stability of the region from February 2021 until the end of December 2022.
The programme objective is to create mechanisms and networks for the empowerment of marginalised groups including COVID-19 recovery measures and thus facilitate their inclusion and social prosperity.
The focus of the activities, in all Western Balkans countries, is on the job-creation through the establishment of new businesses and provision of support to the existing ones affected by the COVID-19. The assistance will be provided to socially vulnerable groups including women, youth, Roma, people with disabilities, prisoners, and local communities, through economic empowerment involving the building of personal and professional skills.
By the end of the project, it is expected that in the Western Balkans, Help will have supported at least 470 small scale businesses. At least 900 people will have increased their personal and professional skills. The penitentiary support to 18 prisons and at least 15 local initiatives completed, and a social platform fully operational on the regional level.
Timo Stegelmann, Help Managing Director
“Following the principle of “Help towards self-reliance”, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe supports the efforts of low-income families, women, youth, Roma, prisoners, and former prisoners, people with disabilities to improve their living conditions through their own means and for the long-term to strengthen the resilience of communities.”
Albania
Ilir Lico, Country Director
“In Albania, the programme aims to support vulnerable groups, focusing on women, youth and marginalised groups through vocational courses and on-the-job training, thus facilitating access to the labour market. The programme’s goal in Albania is to empower existing or new businesses through business training and in-kind grants, including micro-farmers, helping them with equipment and capacity building. To improve local communities, a kindergarten will be renovated to provide safe child-friendly conditions for at least 90 infants attending preschool.”
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For further information regarding the project:
www.facebook.com/help.org.al
Media contact:
Mob: +355 69 572 6762
info@help-albania.org