Belgrade Launches Roma Bus Drivers Employment Initiative — E2E Project at the Forefront
Belgrade, 22nd May 2026: The Education to Employment (E2E) Project was among the key co-organisers of the conference held on 22 May 2026 at the Belgrade City Assembly, marking the official launch of the project “Support and Monitoring of Roma Community Participants in the Bus Driver Training Programme”.
The event brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society, international organisations and media, united around a shared objective: creating concrete and sustainable employment opportunities for members of the Roma community in Belgrade.
The initiative addresses two parallel challenges — the need for greater Roma labour market inclusion, and the demand for qualified professional bus drivers in Belgrade’s public transport system. Through a certified bus driver training programme delivered by the Zemun Traffic and Technical School, and in cooperation with JKP GSP “Belgrade”, the initiative aims to employ 100 new bus drivers, reaching across 17 municipalities of the City of Belgrade.
A defining feature of this initiative is the field support and mentorship model implemented by the Humanitarian Centre Rom Obrenovac. Continuous engagement with candidates throughout the entire training process — from mobilisation to programme completion — is essential to reducing dropout risk and improving completion rates.
The conference was addressed by Demo Beriša, Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue; H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Serbia; Igor Jovanović, Deputy Speaker of the Belgrade City Assembly; as well as representatives of JKP GSP “Belgrade”, the Zemun Traffic and Technical School, and the Humanitarian Centre Rom Obrenovac.
The E2E Project is a joint initiative of the Swiss and Serbian governments, focused on improving employment and labour market development through collaboration between public institutions, the private sector and civil society. This initiative is a demonstration that inclusion, partnership and practical solutions are the foundation of lasting progress.
Photo credits: Municipality Novi Beograd, Belgrade City
