The Center for Support and Inclusion Help Net participated in the implementation of the project “Solidarity in Crisis – Calm Corner” from June to September. The project is led by the Municipality of Ruma and is financially supported by the European Union as part of the broader initiative “Support to Sustainable Community-Based Social Protection Services and Inclusion Policies at the Local Level.”
Recognizing Help Net’s expertise in the field of social protection, especially in delivering social protection services, the project implementer engaged our organization to contribute to strengthening the capacities of the Institution for the Provision of Social Protection Services “Solidarnost” Ruma and improving the quality of services provided to beneficiaries.
Through the implementation of training programs aimed at professionals, associates, and employees in institutions involved in intersectoral cooperation, the key goals of the project were achieved — enhancing service quality and strengthening capacity for more effective work with beneficiaries.
The trainings were designed to combine practical knowledge for direct work with beneficiaries and a broader framework for implementing innovative social protection services. The following thematic areas were covered:
- Intersectoral cooperation in managing community-based services
- Providing direct support to individuals in crisis situations
- Responding to and supporting individuals in crisis situations
We are proud to have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of local capacities and the improvement of the quality of social services in the community, which ultimately has a positive impact on the quality of life of service users.
What we particularly highlight is that the trainings created a space for the exchange of experiences and knowledge among professionals from different sectors, forming a foundation for long-term and sustainable cooperation in supporting the most vulnerable groups. In this way, mechanisms have been developed that will enable faster response and adequate assistance in crisis situations, as well as the strengthening of the social safety net in the local community.
Additionally, through the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the community, the project contributed to raising awareness about the importance of timely and coordinated support. This has laid the foundation for further improvement of social protection services in Ruma and the surrounding area, as well as for the dissemination of good practices to other local governments across Serbia.
