Memorandum of Understanding Signed: Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Persons in Zaječar

As part of the "Bridging the Digital Divide" project, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Zaječar with the aim of enhancing digital literacy for older persons.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia, in collaboration with the Red Cross of Serbia, is implementing the project "Bridging the Digital Divide" as part of the programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature”, with the support of the Government of Switzerland. The project aims to enhance digital skills among older persons in six local self-governments in the Republic of Serbia (Kragujevac, Kruševac, Velika Plana, Zaječar, Boljevac, and Niš).

In cooperation with the Association of Pensioners of Zaječar and the “Zlatna jesen” Club, 24 participants from Zaječar successfully completed five training sessions, improving their skills in using digital tools in everyday life. The training sessions included demonstrations of how to use communication platforms and e-services (eGovernment, eBanking, eHealth, Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, internet security, etc.). Special focus was placed on access to specific useful applications, such as scheduling appointments for issuing personal documents, "My Doctor," eCadastre, and more. During the training, participants learn how to tackle challenges in the digital world independently, reducing the risk of social isolation.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today between the Red Cross of Zaječar, the Zaječar City Administration, and the Zaječar Social Welfare Center. This will further strengthen the partnership between the institutions, focusing on long-term support for the digital empowerment of citizens, while ensuring the continued development and visibility of the project at the local level.

Boško Ničić, Mayor of Zaječar, thanked the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Government of Switzerland, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia for their support, expressing confidence that project activities will ease the lives of older persons, especially those in rural areas.

Nataša Todorović, speaking on behalf of the Red Cross of Serbia, emphasized the importance of adapting digital services for older persons and added that the project not only trains older persons but also collects feedback on which digital services need further improvement.

Nenad Dinulović, Director of the Zaječar Social Welfare Center, stated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is of great significance, especially within the framework of implementing the Strategy for Active and Healthy Aging. He also highlighted the importance of introducing internet access in rural areas.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, a ceremony was held to present certificates to the participants who successfully completed the training and improved their digital skills in Zaječar. Project activities will continue until June 2025.

The “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme is jointly implemented by the agencies of the United Nations in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP – in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.