The project supported the response to the effects of COVID-19 in substandard Roma settlements. "ODNESI" service hires collectors of secondary raw materials from substandard Roma settlements in Niš and Pirot.

“Now individual collectors wear uniforms, they’re no longer in the street, now they are in a social co-operative. This means they’re legalised, which is the most important for us now, that they’re real workers, doing their jobs with dignity. We hope that we will have the opportunity to expand this humanitarian service to other towns in Serbia, because we have realised that this is a good story, a humane and solidary idea”, highlights project manager Jelena Vidanović.

Through the “ODNESI” service, citizens can donate or recycle their things. Collectors have been economically empowered and included in the legal waste management system, while usable things have through the service reached the addresses of 100 most vulnerable families.

“People donate a lot of things, cookers, washing machines, recycling material, some of it can be used, and most of it recyclable, naturally”, points out Martin Mutić, humanitarian service "ODNESI" driver.

The role of the service is also to establish mutual assistance among citizens as well, and it also contributes to environmental protection.

“I was thrilled when I heard this story, how simple it is to schedule this and I saw there is an option there also for recycling and further use. There are multiple benefits, for us who have extra things we need to get rid of, and this way we don’t make waste, throw it away in containers, but we will give it for further use, to someone who really needs it and can make use of it”, said Marija Vukomanović, user of the “ODNESI” service.

Watch a short video on the impact of the project and the experiences of "ODNESI" service users.

More information on results of all projects supported to respond to the consequences of COVID-19 in substandard Roma settlements can be found in the Fact Sheet.