The project idea is based on results of surveys conducted by SeConS on different occasions, when it observed the lack of knowledge, awareness and mechanisms for implementation of social inclusion policies among representatives of local self-governments and other stakeholders.
The aim of the project was to examine conditions for social inclusion policy development and implementation at the local level, to propose status monitoring systems and institutional policy-making mechanisms which would integrate social inclusion principles more consistently, as well as to advance the social inclusion policy-related competences and skills of local decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders. Pirot Municipality Social Policy Committee composed of representatives of the most important institutions and organizations in this field played an important role in project implementation. The most interested individuals in Pirot team had the opportunity to try themselves in the role of mentor to colleagues from other municipalities.
The project team drew up the proposal of indicators which served as the basis for compiling The Report on Social Inclusion and Social Protection in Pirot Municipality. This was the first report of that kind in Serbia and it was the basis for designing the future reporting model implementable in the municipalities in Serbia. Owing to mentoring support, another 10 pilot municipalities prepared their reports on social inclusion and social protection.
Monitoring of social inclusion should respond to the local authorities’ needs:
(1) to acquire more precise knowledge about the situation in their municipality, key aspects, factors and implications of social exclusion,
(2) to be able to develop and implement more quality and efficient policies based on acquired information, and
(3) at the same time, to be able to compare themselves with other municipalities.
One of the most important project results is the toolkit “Social inclusion at local level”. The toolkit includes a manual, a detailed list of indicators for social inclusion monitoring at the local level, and the training package.