Kindergarten "Radost" in Prokuplje, the centre of Toplički District, is one of the four facilities within the Preschool Institution "Neven". This facility has been working for almost half a century without any larger investments. The reconstruction of the kindergarten "Radost" created better conditions for over 900 children and almost 100 employees within the entire preschool institution "Neven". Through the EU PRO development programme, the European Union, in cooperation with the local self-government, provided funds for reconstruction of the heating system and the kitchen for preparation, supply and distribution of meals in all four kindergartens was renovated.
Kindergarten "Radost" opened in 1973, is the oldest of today's four facilities within the preschool institution "Neven". Within this kindergarten, there is also a central kitchen where meals for all other facilities within the preschool institution are prepared. "Since the beginning of our work here, we have been heating with heating oil. This type of heating system has long been obsolete and for years we had hoped for years we hoped to find a solution to replace it with a more efficient and modern energy solution. In addition, the central kitchen from which we distribute food for all children was dilapidated and did not meet the basic criteria of storage, disposal and safety of food, "recalls Vesna Jovanovic, director of the preschool “Neven”. She adds: ”In our kitchen, over 2,000 meals are prepared daily for the kids in all four kindergartens. It was crucial for us to create hygienic conditions for preparation and safety of food and to improve energy efficiency. "
The City of Prokuplje has been cooperating with the European Union for many years through various programmes and projects. Reconstruction of the kindergarten "Radost" was selected as one of the priority projects within the local self-government. "We applied for a donation from the European Union through the EU PRO programme in 2018. At that time, this project was of the utmost importance to us, because the conditions for our youngest are a priority for our city ", says Maja Bašić, a member of the Prokuplje Municipal Council, and says that the EU donation provided reconstruction of the kitchen and technical block within the facility. "In addition to construction works, a complete replacement of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical installations was performed, more precisely the heating system was changed and now the kindergarten is heated with pellets, which is a much more efficient and more environmentally friendly solution. "The central kitchen within the preschool institution “Neven” has been completely renovated and now the preparation and food safety are at the highest possible level."
As the City of Prokuplje cares most about its youngest fellow citizens, in addition to the four kindergartens "Radost", "Biseri", "Bajka" and "Bambi", they are planning the construction of the fifth facility within the preschool institution "Neven". "Kindergartens are the second home of our children, and it is up to us to provide them with conditions for a more pleasant stay and childhood when they will always remember with joy," Maja Bašić ends the story with enthusiasm.
Reconstruction of the heating system and central kitchen in the kindergarten "Radost" in Prokuplje is one of the 37 local infrastructure projects that the EU, in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration, supported with a total of 4.5 million Euros through the EU PRO programme. These projects contributed to a better quality of life of people through improved conditions in sports and cultural institutions, schools and kindergartens, health and social care institutions, and some significantly improved communal infrastructure.
Through the activities of the EU PRO programme, the European Union contributes to the more balanced socio-economic development of Serbia with a total of 25 million Euros. The programme aims to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises, improving the business environment and strengthening social cohesion in 99 local self-government units, in two regions: the Region of Šumadija and Western Serbia and the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia. The activities in the field are implemented by UNOPS.