Zagreb launches 1.5 million kuna project for social inclusion of persons with disabilities

Zagreb

ZAGREB, Sept 22 (Hina) – The project “Novi Jelkovec — a Place of Independent Living” has been launched in Zagreb, it is intended for social inclusion of persons with disabilities, and it is completely financed, with nearly HRK 1.5 million, by the European Union.

“The goal of the project is to contribute to the social inclusion of people with disabilities through the development of new, effective and inclusive social services,” it was underscored today at a press conference.

In June 2018, the City of Zagreb submitted the project “Novi Jelkovec — a Place of Independent Living” to a call from the European Social Fund, and a grant agreement was signed in June 2020 between the City, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family Affairs and Social Policy and the national employment bureau (HZZ). The duration of the project is 18 months.

The project is being carried out in cooperation with the Mali Dom — Zagreb daily rehabilitation centre for children and youth, the Rehabilitation Centre Silver, the Rehabilitation Centre Stancic, the Centre for Autism and the OSICE Croatian alliance of associations of children with developmental disabilities, persons with disabilities and their families.

Head of the City Department for Social Protection and Persons with Disabilities Romana Galic said that the project was financed with HRK 1.47 million in non-repayable EU grants, and the aim was to develop social services for persons with disabilities in Novi Jelkovec, a district in the east of the city where many persons with disabilities live.

She underscored that the “Novi Jelkovec — a Place of Independent Living” project would cover about a hundred persons with disabilities, 50 members of their families and 50 experts that will carry out educational workshops.