The First "Handbook on Career Guidance for Refugees" Presented

The publication “Handbook on Career Guidance for Refugees”, prepared in cooperation between the Qualifications Agency of the Republic of Serbia, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, was presented today at a conference held at the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture.

For the first time, this publication provides individuals who have been granted asylum or temporary protection, as well as those who have applied for asylum in Serbia, with useful information in one place, on where their foreign educational qualifications can be recognized, how to enroll in school or university, where to learn Serbian, how and where to retrain, find employment, and who to contact for counseling on these topics.

“The goal of the Handbook on Career Guidance for Refugees is to provide refugees with useful information and empower them during their integration into society and while choosing a career path in their new environment – the Republic of Serbia. Whether they plan to continue their education or seek employment, the Guide will be helpful and direct them to relevant sources of information, institutions, organizations and available digital tools they can use. We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the creation of this publication and thank our partners for their contributions and engagement,” emphasized prof. Časlav Mitrović, PhD, Director of the Qualifications Agency.

The Guide is published in both Serbian and English and is available on the website of the Qualifications Agency of the Republic of Serbia, the institution responsible, among other things, for the recognition of foreign educational documents in Serbia.

“The topics covered in this guide are crucial for the new beginnings of people who were forced to flee their countries due to conflict or persecution and who have sought or received protection in Serbia. Like anyone else, refugees and asylum seekers want to formalize, improve and use their knowledge to contribute to their new environment. That is why this publication is of great importance. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our partners from the Qualifications Agency and the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration for the successful collaboration,” stated Soufiane Adjali, UNHCR Representative in Serbia.

Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, added that the Guide represents an important step toward the economic empowerment of refugees and asylum seekers, as it provides clear, practical, and accessible information necessary for planning personal and professional development. It supports them in recognizing their capacities, utilizing existing opportunities, and becoming active members of the community. “The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration proudly participated in the creation of this document as an advisory partner, and we especially thank the Qualifications Agency for the professional preparation and UNHCR for financial support. We are confident that this Guide will be useful not only to refugees but also to all institutions and professionals working on their integration,” explained Stanisavljević.

Individuals granted protection in our country, as well as asylum seekers, have the right to free primary and secondary education, as well as the right to residence, personal documents, freedom of movement, and the right to work. Additionally, those granted protection have the right to higher education under the same conditions as Serbian citizens.