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For many former defence personnel, life in the private sector can present unique challenges. Often, the skills learned in the defence sector are difficult to transfer to private sector jobs. The high unemployment in many countries because of the global financial crisis makes finding employment even harder.
Over the past five years, NATO has been working to help Serbia address the issue of finding employment for former defence personnel. A NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) Trust Fund project, funded by 18 NATO member and partner countries, has been assisting discharged defence personnel in Serbia as they reintegrate into the private sector. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which has experience running similar programmes, is responsible for implementing the project in cooperation with the Serbian Ministry of Defence and the Programme for Resettlement in the Serbian Ministry of Defence and Army (PRISMA).
The €9.65 million project, launched in July 2006, offers vocational training, support services, career counselling and referral services, in addition to grants and micro-loans to start and expand small and medium sized businesses.
The project targets soldiers, non-commissioned officers and civilian staff made redundant by reforms in the defence sector. Since its launch, nearly 6000 people have received individual counselling and around 4500 have received financial assistance.
“It’s something very concrete that is helping the people. The people can see the direct results,” says Gianluca Rocco, the IOM’s Deputy Chief of Mission and Trust Fund Manager, who oversees the project’s implementation.
The ongoing defence reforms coupled with an unemployment rate of around 19 per cent makes finding work in Serbia particularly difficult. Without the resettlement programme, many of its participants would be facing unemployment, according to James Mackey, a Western Balkans Officer in NATO’s Political Affairs and Security Policy Division. Gianluca Rocco echoes his thoughts. “Most likely they would be on the welfare system,” he says.
Positive impact on local economies
While the NATO Trust Fund project is helping participants gain employment through training and grants, the project also offers additional long term benefits. “The volume of micro-enterprises that are being created really makes an impact on the local economy,” points out Mr Rocco. These micro-businesses contribute directly to the local economy by creating jobs, raising revenue, generating taxes and providing needed services to the community.
Although starting a new business always presents some risks, many of the companies created through this project survive and thrive. “70 per cent of the businesses started three years ago are still in the market,” states Mr. Rocco. “Businesses are up and these people have a future.”
Mladen Bojanic started his own textile production company in Kraljevo, after receiving career counselling and grants. “I am very happy with my new civilian job that enabled me to earn a stable source of income and to sustain my family,” he says. “Apart from my family members, the company currently employs three permanent workers, and when necessary engages several part-time workers,” states Mr Bojanic.
Although determined to succeed, Mr Bojanic points out that commercial loans in Serbia can be difficult to obtain and are often quite expensive. “I owned modest funds used to purchase basic raw materials, but thanks to the NATO Trust Fund project I was able to buy nine new professional machines and raw materials necessary to start production in a professional way,” he says.
Milorad Pepić used grants from the Trust Fund project to purchase equipment required to open a key-copying business in a remote suburb of Novi Sad. “The NATO/PfP Trust Fund financed my two basic key-copying machines enabling me to open a small booth in a busy street,” asserts Mr Pepić. “The business grew quickly as I was the only key copier in a three mile radius.”
The counselling and 3000 Euros worth of equipment Mr. Pepić received helped smooth his transition to civilian life. “I could not afford to fail, and I managed to survive, expand and create three new jobs in a sustainable key-copying business.”
Building capacity in Serbia
With the project winding down at the end of June, the Serbian Ministry of Defence is preparing to take over the reintegration programme. Previously, the ministry did not have a division dedicated to reintegrating discharged defence personnel into civilian life. But with the help of this Trust Fund project, it now has a permanent office with a staff and budget for civilian reintegration. “The impact of this project is positive on the military and positive on the people,” says Mr Rocco.
Although the relationship between NATO and Serbia has been tense at times, this project is one of many that allow the two to come together and help build peace and stability in the region. “NATO wants the deepest level of practical cooperation we can have,” says Mr Mackey. “We have a lot of common security concerns and we are neighbours, so it’s important that we work together.”