German Development Cooperation and Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities jointly initiated a donation of protective equipment for civil servants in 19 partner towns and municipalities. Each of 19 local self-governments receives the quantity of protective gear proportional to the number of employees. In total, 3100 masks and gloves have been procured. Distribution and delivery started on May 22 and is expected to conclude by May 29, 2020, while observing safety measures.
Given the importance of safety at work in general, and the recent crisis committee’s assertation of potential risk of infection in work collectives, in particular, sufficient amounts of protective equipment will contribute to safer and more efficient working environment. Moreover, as civil servants in towns and municipalities are in direct and frequent contact with citizens, supply of adequate protection will ensure the continuity in public services provision. Local self-governments that receive masks and gloves are: Vranje, Pirot, Niš, Medveđa, Bela Palanka, Sombor, Kruševac, Kragujevac, Čačak, Vrnjačka Banja, Nova Varoš, Loznica, Šabac, Plandište, Subotica, Sremska Mitrovica, Svilajnac, Rača i Mali Zvornik.
Procurement of protective equipment was supported by the German-Serbian Development Cooperation project „Support to Public Administration Reform in Serbia“, implemented by GIZ. Together with GIZ, Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities implements the activity „Improvement of Administrative Efficiency and Effectiveness at the Local Level“, with the aim of strengthening capacities of local self-governments for resources management and provision of services to citizens and businesses in line with principles of good governance.