In Nikšić, there is a place where knowledge is shared, support is provided and new opportunities are created. The Information and Education Centre, established through the EU-funded “Employment Excellence Programme” project, now brings together citizens with different interests – those who want to improve their knowledge and skills, as well as those in need of professional support. Through workshops, training and counselling, this space continues to bring people together even after the project has ended.
“We were given the opportunity to establish and equip an Information and Education Centre for employers and unemployed people, which is now operational,” says project coordinator Biljana Pinjatić.
Among those who contribute to the activities of the Centre today is psychologist and psychotherapy counsellor Nađa Pekić, who, among other things, provides free psychological support to citizens.
“The focus is on making everything serve citizens and ensuring that it is free of charge. That is where the idea and vision of having a psychologist as part of the initiative came from – to provide a free service focused on mental health,” says Pekić.
The Centre’s results also confirm that it represents an important source of support for citizens.
“Perhaps the best feedback is that more than 200 events have been held here over the course of one year, and that more than 500 sessions, that is, psychological counselling sessions, have been provided to citizens free of charge,” Pekić notes.
That support through the project also means new knowledge that remains within the community is confirmed by Zorana Jelovac from the Day Centre for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities. Through the project, she completed training to work as an occupational therapist and in printing on various materials, and she now uses the knowledge she acquired in her work with the Day Centre’s users.
“I was involved in the project for 10 months. Four months were funded by the programme, and six months by the Day Centre. It meant a lot to me because I gained new knowledge and skills that I was able to pass on to the people I work with,” says Jelovac.
The equipment procured through the project made it possible to immediately put this new knowledge into practice.
“We received all the machines needed for printing, as well as foils, materials, a cutter, heat presses, mugs – everything that was needed to get started,” Jelovac explains.
Pinjatić points out that sustainability is one of the most important results of the project.
“Within the project, 30 unemployed people completed one of the licensed training programmes. In addition, 34 people attended a motivational workshop, valuable equipment was purchased for the project partners, and seven people were employed during the project,” says Pinjatić.
The Employment Excellence Programme was implemented by the Municipality of Nikšić in partnership with the Public Institution Day Centre for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities, Radio Television Nikšić and the NGO Business Centre, with the support of the European Union through the “Support to Employment, Social Inclusion and Social Entrepreneurship” Grant Scheme, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue. Through the project, 34 unemployed people attended motivational workshops, 30 completed licensed training programmes, and ten people gained employment. A Local Employment Partnership was established and the Employment Strategy of the Municipality of Nikšić for the period 2024–2028 was developed, while the Information and Education Centre today represents one of the lasting results of European support.