Kick Off Meeting

Within the project „Jobs in rural regions“, financed by the EU Delegation in Serbia, on May 27, Ethno network held its kick-off meeting at the Municipal Hall in Negotin.

Iva Radic, Ethno network’s office manager, and Nevena Simic, project manager from NALED, presented the project and project objectives. The overall objective of the project is to create new employment opportunities and reduce depopulation of the rural areas of Serbia, and also improving the capacity of Ethno network as development incubator for growth of employment in rural areas.

The responsibilities of project partners were represented , as well as anticipated operating activities. These activities will encourage the preservation of cultural traditions, improve production, networking of ethnic associations in the region, the possibility to enter foreign markets, and economic empowerment of women in rural areas.

It was noted that the tourism and hospitality industry in Serbia have greatly benefit from the project, because the produced handicrafts and traditional arts presentations provide additional tourist offer that at this point is missing in Serbia.

Branko Markovic, vice president of Negotin municipality, said that local government will support all activities in the project related to the municipality.

Dusanka Botunjac, Ethno Network’s associate, noted the importance of preserving traditions and employment opportunities in producing high quality handicrafts.

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