USAID and the Ministry of Youth and Sport Support Local Youth Offices

February 19, 2009

Minister for Youth and Sports Snezana Samardzic Markovic and USAID Director Michael Harvey signing a Memorandum of Understanding. (FoNet Photo)

On Friday, 20 February 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on strengthening the capacities of newly established Local Youth Offices to address issues of youth employment and entrepreneurship. At the ceremonial signing event in Loznica, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Cameron Munter, Minister of Youth and Sport Mrs. Snežana Samardžić Marković, and the Mayor of Loznica Vidoje Petrović, will address the audience.

The signing of the MoU between the Ministry and USAID will formalize their mutual collaboration to support Youth Offices throughout Serbia. USAID is committed to youth in Serbia and has developed activities that will complement and build on the National Youth Strategy and the Ministry’s strategic plan for youth that was adopted by the Government of Serbia last year. The aim of this combined effort is to improve the entrepreneurship and employment market skills of Serbia’s young people so they can more successfully enter the work force or start their own businesses.

Many students in Serbia lack access to practical educational opportunities. USAID’s Economic Security program seeks to address this by equipping Serbian youth with the specialized skills required by employers, through support to the Junior Achievement program and other entrepreneurship training programs for youth. These activities are in line with the objectives of the National Youth Strategy to create employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Serbia.

Guests will have an opportunity to visit the City of Loznica’s local Youth Office during the event.