Novi Pazar, July 4 - Twenty-seven private companies and eight public institutions will open their doors to 50 Novi Pazar high school and university students this week to begin a one month internships. Chosen from among 150 applicants, based on academic records, the new interns first received basic job search skills delivered by the Sandzak Economic Development Agency (SEDA).
Developed as part of the city’s Youth Entrepreneurship Action Plan (YEAP), the internship program draws on resources and relationships created by SEDA while managing internship programs between 2009 to 2010; both activities supported by USAID’s Economic Security Program. With this current group of 50 students more than 210 students in Novi Pazar have participated in PPES –supported internship activities.
Novi Pazar, July 4 - Twenty-seven private companies and eight public institutions will open their doors to 50 Novi Pazar high school and university students this week to begin a one month internships. Chosen from among 150 applicants, based on academic records, the new interns first received basic job search skills delivered by the Sandzak Economic Development Agency (SEDA).
Developed as part of the city’s Youth Entrepreneurship Action Plan (YEAP), the internship program draws on resources and relationships created by SEDA while managing internship programs between 2009 to 2010; both activities supported by USAID’s Economic Security Program. With this current group of 50 students more than 210 students in Novi Pazar have participated in PPES –supported internship activities.
PPES and Youth Unemployment in Serbia
To date the USAID Economic Security Program helped 23 Youth Offices throughout Serbia develop their YEAPs. The plans are key strategic documents empowering local youth offices in one of their key missions – reduction of youth unemployment. YEAPs offer specific, near-term actions to develop local youth entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
USAID also provided marketing and leadership skills training to Youth Office Coordinators from 97 of the country’s 114 Youth Offices; consequent entrepreneurship training organized by USAID-trained Youth Office Coordinators were delivered to more than 1,500young adults to help them start or strengthen a new business for more immediate results. These USAID activities actively shape a more dynamic and informed workforce to improve the economic stability and security in Serbia.
All the activities of the USAID Economic Security Program support implementation of the “National Youth Strategy“ of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, they are carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia and enable young people to obtain special knowledge and skills necessary in the modern business environment.
YEAP Municipalities
Youth Entrepreneurship Action Plans have been developed in the following cities and municipalities:
1. (In 2010): Backa Topola, Becej, Cicevac, Knjazevac, Lajkovac, Loznica, Paracin, Palilula (Nis), Palilula (Belgrade), Pantelej (Nis), Prijepolje and Senta.
2. (In 2011): Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Blace, Leskovac, Novi Pazar, Ruma, Surdulica, Veliko Gradiste, Vlasotince, Zajecar and Zrenjanin.