Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic had a meeting with the Manager of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Graeme Tyndall, regarding the implementation of program “The improvement of good governance and social inclusion at the local level in Serbia (Swiss Pro)”. The program goal is contribution to the more responsible, transparent and efficient acting of local self-governments, through the improvement of knowledge and skills of people employed in local self-government bodies, which would reflect to increasing volume and quality of public services, as well as the life of citizens, especially members of sensitive social groups, who are exposed to various types of discrimination.

Commissioner Jankovic and coordinator Tyndall discussed about the problems that members of the most vulnerable social groups are facing in everyday life, and also about defining measures for their overcoming through realization of this program.

Commissioner stated that, according to data from complaints which were filed to Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in the previous year, citizens were discriminated mostly because of disability, age and sex, while the most frequent areas of discrimination were work and employment, proceedings in front of public authorities, providing of public services and using of public objects and surfaces. She emphasized the importance of coordinated program activities with key institutions at national level and expressed the support of the institution of Commissioner to this program.

“Swiss Pro” is aimed to improve local capacities in 99 municipalities in Sumadija and West Serbia, while the regions of South and East Serbia will implement the good governance principles in local policies and regulations. The realization of the program is supported by the Government of Switzerland, while the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is responsible for its implementation, in cooperation with Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO).