In cooperation with the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, the Institute for Development and Innovation organized an event on Friday, June 14th, to formalize the establishment of a Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) in these districts. During the meeting, key players from both districts were introduced to the role of MAP, which aims to support a network of actors focused on improving the socio-economic status of marginalized groups and fostering economically independent individuals.
MAP was established through the activities of the ESIRA project, which the Institute for Development and Innovation implements from 2024 to 2028 under the Horizon Europe program with support from the European Union. The ESIRA project aims to enhance social and economic innovations in selected rural areas in Europe, and in the Republic of Serbia, these areas are the Jablanica and Pčinja districts.
Following the opening address by Dragana Belenzade, the director of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, Nenad Jevtović, Director of the Institute for Development and Innovation, and Nebojša Novković, ESIRA Project Manager, presented ideas and the importance of future initiatives aimed at improving socio-economic innovations. During the meeting, key actors, including representatives from local governments, the business community, and non-governmental organizations, discussed the next concrete steps and activities to improve the position of marginalized groups.
The main conclusion of the meeting emphasized the crucial importance of cooperation among all actors in strengthening the socio-economic position of marginalized groups. This collaboration will contribute to their social inclusion and overall improvement in society. By working together, local innovative initiatives can help reduce the unemployment rate, decrease the risk of poverty, and increase labor market participation.
Subsequent activities will involve the Institute for Development and Innovation working with local governments, citizens’ associations, the business community, and individuals, all in coordination with the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts.
