The project “Developing and Managing the Art and Handicraft Sector in Gracanica” has been funded by EU Office in Kosovo and the Municipality of Gracanica, while Pristina REA and Institute of Rural Development have been working on the implementation.
Speaking at the ceremony which attracted the attention of many people, the Mayor of the Municipality of Gracanica Branimir Stojanovic said that the social institution which construction was in progress, was of great importance for the municipality but first of all for people in the category of socially endangered who would use this institution.
Branimir Stojanovic said: “It is very important to help people who have the most difficulties, in a way that will have long-term sustainable solution. These associations and organizations have a lot of things to offer both to their community and the market and they can charge their knowledge. This is the day of great importance because for the first time we are creating a new option for the people who need this kind of service. We are creating something completely new. It won’t be easy but with all the positive energy and our joint work and effort I believe we will succeed in our intention and create a long-term sustainable mechanism for all those whose life isn’t so easy.”
The Head of Cooperation of the EU Office in Kosovo, Christof Stock said that this project would be implemented according to EU laws.
Stock said: “The aim of the project, among the other things, is to stimulate the employment in the territory of Kosovo, principally in the categories of vulnerable groups”, and stated Greece, Germany and Bulgaria as the examples of successful realization of similar projects.
Nenad Rasic, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare in the Government of Kosovo, stated that it was a pilot project upon which successful realization the expansion in other places in Kosovo would depend.
Rasic said: “The aim is that each municipality have at least one social incubator of this kind. The main word in the whole idea is sustainability. It will function on the principle of threes which alludes that each of these small businesses will have the period of three years to develop and that’s why it is called Incubator in order that all those young and undeveloped project could be a part of the incubator.”
The project “Developing and Managing the Art and Handicraft Sector in Gracanica” supports empowerment and employment as well as the social involvement of the most endangered and vulnerable groups, trough promotion of art and handicraft. Well equipped institution of Social Incubator managed by the Social Enterprise will be developing through its Business Advisory Centre, and will be promoted through the “Passenger Craftsman.”
Construction of Social Enterprise Building and incubator in Gracanica, is in progress. The ceremony was held on that occasion where the implementers of the project presented the importance of the construction of the first institution of this type in the territory of Kosovo.
