Improving Social Inclusion in Niš Thanks to the Swiss Government and Local Partners

Representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office and the “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme visited Niš, where they toured two civil society organisation projects implemented within the PRO Programme. These projects focus on improving social inclusion through cross-sectoral services.

During the visit, the results and activities of two supported projects were presented: “Get Involved!”, implemented by the Centre for Digital Inclusion, and “Open Your Eyes!”, implemented by the YUROM Centre. Both are carried out in partnership with the City of Niš and key municipal institutions in the fields of health, education, and social protection.

The Centre for Digital Inclusion presented innovative solutions that leverage digitalisation to support vulnerable groups. Through the online Resource Centre platform, more than 2,000 users from vulnerable groups have improved their access to education, employment, and public services, as the platform brings together service providers and users in one place. Particular attention was given to the “I Have – I Don’t Have” app, which offers a sustainable mechanism for donations of food, clothing, and furniture from individuals and organisations to vulnerable populations. The app is currently used by over 500 families across Niš.

Additionally, with the support of the City of Niš, a Digital Advisory Centre was established, offering digital education, particularly to children, single mothers, and individuals with lower levels of education.

The second project, “Open Your Eyes!”, implemented by the YUROM Centre, aimed to prevent drug abuse among youth in Roma settlements through referrals to therapeutic services, as well as a wide-reaching information campaign in cooperation with institutions, particularly the Centre for Mental Health and the Centre for Social Work. To date, nearly 160 families have received support, including counselling for parents. Representatives from the City of Niš noted that the service has been incorporated into the City’s Roma Inclusion Action Plan for 2024–2026, with financial support from the city, demonstrating both its success and sustainability.

The visit concluded with discussions with service beneficiaries and representatives of partner institutions, reaffirming that such forms of cooperation will continue to be supported as part of efforts to ensure better access to public services for all citizens.

The Programme "PRO - Local Government for People and Nature" is jointly implemented by the United Nations agencies 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.