Novi Sad, Serbia, 14 June 2023 – There was a cheerful atmosphere in the Veternik settlement of Novi Sad, Serbia today, as 94 refugee families celebrated moving into their new Regional Housing Programme (RHP) homes following years of displacement.

The ceremony was hosted by Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (KIRS), and attended by H.E. Anke Konrad, Ambassador of Germany to Serbia; Nicola Bertolini, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Serbia; Milan Đurić, Mayor of Novi Sad; Stefanie Krause, UNHCR Deputy Representative in Serbia; Sarah Groen, OSCE Deputy Head of Mission in Serbia, and Dušan Kovačević, Head of the Public Sector Projects Implementation Unit Ltd., amongst others.

On behalf of the EU, the main Donor to the RHP, Nicola Bertolini pointed out that thanks to the Programme, permanent housing solutions had been provided for more than 10 500 refugee and displaced families in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia. “This Programme and all the efforts made by the European Union, other Donors, institutions and partner organizations have provided new homes for a further 94 families today” he said.

Ambassador Konrad noted that the RHP provided new opportunities and perspective to refugee families who had lost their homes. “In addition to a place to live, the RHP has also restored the dignity of the families who have now received new apartments in Novi Sad” she said. Mayor Đurić agreed, adding that the delivery of the keys was an important step towards permanently solving the housing needs of all refugees living in Novi Sad.

On behalf of the families who received the keys, RHP beneficiary Janja Ždrnja warmly thanked all RHP stakeholders.

RHP stakeholders with beneficiaries

RHP beneficiaries and stakeholders in front of the new RHP building in Novi Sad, Serbia

RHP beneficiary family enters their new apartment

RHP stakeholders with beneficiaries in a new apartment

RHP building in Novi Sad