Background information

The Joint UN Programme PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature (Programme) is designed to contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of citizens through improved local governance, social inclusion, and environmental protection in 110 cities and municipalities throughout Serbia. The Programme is jointly implemented by the United Nations Serbia organisations - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of Serbia, and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland, in the period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2026. The Programme will also provide support to a number of informal waste pickers, affected by the modernisation of the waste management system on the territory of those LGs covered by the Solid Waste Programme, co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and French Development Agency (AFD). This output of the Programme (output 2.5) aims at enhancing livelihood recovery and access to public services relevant to social inclusion such as health, education and social protection.

The Solid Waste Programme (SWP) will upgrade Serbia's waste management system through the closure of 15 municipal dumpsites and the development of six regional waste management centres serving a total of 42 municipalities, as well as a multi-regional primary sorting system. The waste will be redirected to six new Regional Waste Management Centres (RWMC), causing many informal waste pickers to lose their livelihoods. Within the SWP, the Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) was developed, in line with national legislation as well as the Environmental and Social Policy of EBRD and AFD. The LRP served as a basis for development of this
activity.
Despite limitations related to access to reliable statistical data about waste pickers, it is assessed that between 30,000 and 50,000 individual waste pickers are active in Serbia, mostly members of the Roma population, whose activities are contributing most of 80% of the country’s total recycling activity.1 Waste picking provides important opportunities to people who have few or no marketable skills and low-level education. However, their status in the labour market remains informal since they are not officially employed as workers, nor part of a registered waste or recycling enterprise or cooperative.
In addition, besides dangerous working conditions due to hazardous waste, their living conditions are also difficult with limited access to healthcare, education and social protection services which leads to further social stigmatisation. Finally, although there are municipal benefits from waste pickers` work, LGs often lack capacities to include informal waste pickers into a municipal waste system and to develop inclusive policies focused on legal and social recognition of waste pickers.

The LRP census recorded up to 150 individuals engaged in waste picking and up to 250 of their household members i.e. total of 75 households that will be impacted by the SWP with a place of residence in 12 LGs (Obrenovac, Ub, Valjevo, Apatin, Odžaci, Kula, Bač, Sremska Mitrovica, Loznica, Prijepolje, Ruma, Šid) which represents a priority target group of this activity.
The UNFPA CO Serbia is engaging an Implementing Partner (IP) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of local community contexts where waste pickers reside and operate and create an analytical tool that will facilitate the effective management of the assessment of waste pickers' needs and resources.

This activity will have two parts:
1) Local Community Assessment on Informal Waste Pickers: This comprehensive assessment involves conducting interviews and community consultations with pertinent local stakeholders such as Local Governments (LGs), Centers for Social Works, National Employment Service, employers, Primary Health Centre, Public Health Council, Roma health mediators, and Roma coordinators across 12 LGs. The objective is to assess the situation of informal waste pickers and their family members. The findings will encompass the current state and needs of local communities, existence of local mechanisms needed for systemic support of informal waste pickers, as well as the capacities of social and health care service providers within these communities. Additionally, data collected from LGs through grant applications will complement the Local Community Assessment on informal waste pickers. This initiative aims to assist LGs in areas where waste pickers have a residence, establishing governance and coordination mechanisms. These mechanisms will facilitate the development and implementation of effective measures to ensure the sustainable livelihoods of informal waste pickers.
2) Development of Analytical Tool for Managing the Assessment of Waste Pickers` Needs and Resources: This comprehensive tool aims to assess the profile/needs of all informal waste pickers and their family members. It will encompass various dimensions, such as: number of current waste pickers and their family members, age, gender, working conditions, access to health and social care services, especially for older and young persons and women, access to the labour market and opportunities for retraining. Additionally, the tool will encompass the perceived needs and unmet needs of both male and female informal waste pickers, focusing particularly on aspects
directly influencing their employability.

This analytical tool will serve as a valuable resource for Family Supporters, aiding in the evidence-based formulation of Individual Households’ Support Plans (IHSPs) for each family within the priority group (approximately 75 households). Family Supporters, operating at the local level, play a crucial role in providing direct assistance during the program, including conducting interviews/needs assessments of each household and its members. They guide families from the priority target group and oversee the development and monitoring of IHSPs. This includes ensuring access to local services and proposing additional measures when necessary. The tool should provide an easy profile overview of the needs of all informal waste pickers and their family members.
The outcomes derived from both the Local Community Assessment on Informal Waste Pickers and the Analytical Tool for Managing the Assessment of Waste Pickers` Needs and Resources will serve as a foundational reference point, providing invaluable insights for local institutions. These insights will empower them to formulate policies and implement targeted actions, effectively addressing the specific needs of informal waste pickers and their family members.

Non-governmental organizations that wish to participate in the Invitation for Proposals are requested to send their submission, along with the completed attachment 1, through email clearly marked “NGO Invitation for Proposals” at the following address: UNFPA Serbia Country Office email address: serbia.office@unfpa.org by February 16, 2024.

For more information, download the full Invitation for Proposals.