Project intends to explore current situation in the field of social services for the people living in rural areas and possibilities for improving social protection systems in Kosovo and Serbia.
Research efforts are focused on several topics which seek to explore together the overall quality of life in rural areas, using intersectional approach to address multiple discrimination and burdens of those who represent the main support to the development of the human capital in any society – women and girls. The first phase of the two-year project is dedicated to the secondary analysis of data that will set the basis for the implementation of qualitative field research, which represents the second phase of the project. The third stage will be dedicated to quantification of the findings. The research focuses on the collection of data on access to the educational system, supported employment, supported housing services, daily social services, material assistance and participation in decision-making processes regarding creation of local plans for social protection services in rural areas. Research findings will lead to formulation of recommendations for decision-makers, but also for social protection service providers.
IFDT researchers have the task to identify the needs of marginalized groups in rural areas of Serbia in access to social services, as well as to identify the needs of government and non-governmental organizations that provide social assistance for those groups of people, as well as to present these findings at press conference and two round table discussions in Belgrade and Kosovska Mitrovica.