Fifth Training Held to Strengthen Family Assistants

Sabac, 8-9 May 2025 - Family assistants working with informal waste pickers have taken another important step in strengthening their capacity to support vulnerable families through a focused two-day training on professional procedures and support skills. The training aimed to enhance their ability to provide meaningful assistance in economic empowerment and access to rights, especially within the evolving waste management system.

The first day of the training gave family assistants a platform to exchange experiences, discuss real-life challenges, and receive concrete guidance—particularly around supporting beneficiaries in employment. Through group work and practical examples, they revisited the process of needs assessment and planning family support, highlighting the importance of connecting resources across systems for greater impact.

On the second day, participants gained knowledge and skills related to the final stages of professional family work—plan revision, reassessment, and final evaluation. A dedicated session focused on increasing sensitivity to family needs and selecting the most appropriate types of support. Participants demonstrated strong motivation, collaboration, and a willingness to contribute their specific expertise to the collective effort.

The training was conducted as part of the “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” program, jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia – UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support from the Government of Switzerland.