SLDP Grants Support Serbian Youth in Professional Development

Serbia, March 6, 2012 -  A $56,000 grant will fund certification training for Youth Office Coordinators’ (YOC), advancing their professional skills to EU Council standards.

The grant was awarded to the National Association of Youth Workers (NAPOR), which will be responsible for the training and certification process in up to 30 municipalities participating in SLDP’s inter-municipal cooperation approach to advancing smart, sustainable and inclusive local development. 

In addition to certifying YOCs in the development and delivery of job training, career guidance and entrepreneurial services, NAPOR will educate 250 young people in how to participate in municipal and inter-municipal governance and serve as youth advocates in their communities.  SLDP’s grant will be supplemented with $2,600 from NAPOR and in-kind services worth more than $12,500 from the Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sport.

A second grant of just more than $12,000, awarded to the Serbian Youth Umbrella Organization (KOMS), also targets actions to improve communication and accountability between young people and their elected leaders. 

KOMS is a key player in the implementation of the National Law on Youth, and helps strengthen local youth-based NGO networks to become youth advocates in local government.  KOMS has added $1,100 to the activity and will organize its activities through local Youth Offices.