The project's aim was to strengthen the capacity of local actors to form a focused partnership for employment and local development and to design and implement training programmes and other VET and HRD services.

This was done to enhance the skills and employability of the labour force in Sumadija region - a region in Central Serbia with high unemployment rates and a huge number of redundant employees of the former automotive industry. A special Grant Fund was established and managed for financing HRD initiatives.  

Main services included:

• VET and HRD partnership process supported;
• Capacity building of local actors in the regional administration;
• Train-the-trainer and teacher programmes;
• Matching the supply and demand side of training;
• Setting-up a system for funding HRD initiatives, incl. start-up support for self-employed;
• Contract & monitor the delivery of HRD measures through a Special Grant Fund;
• Procurement of training equipment;
• Advising the MoL and national players on HRD policy.