ZAJEČAR, May 2025 – The warm room of the Pensioners’ Association in Zaječar is filled with quiet chatter and laughter. Most of those seated in the comfortable armchairs are retired women, sipping coffee while focused on their smartphones. They’re not passing time—they’re learning. Together, they reinforce the knowledge gained from digital literacy workshops.“When we were working, the typewriter was still considered cutting-edge. Computers arrived during our professional lives, around twenty years ago, but they weren’t available to everyone,” recalls Vera Sokolović , a retired lawyer.She was delighted to join the training, surrounded by peers of a similar age, learning how to use new technologies.“This was a chance for us to approach the training in a comfortable, respectful setting where no one feels embarrassed. When someone is learning something new, and another knows more, it can discourage them. But today you saw how we help each other: ‘How far along are you?’ ‘Did I do this right?’” Vera explains, visibly pleased with the skills she has acquired. The walls of the Zaječar Pensioners’ Association are painted in warm tones, adorned with landscape paintings and photos of older persons, full of life. On one wall, a video projector has been set up. Using it, Red Cross instructor Marija Marković explains how to send emails, access various online institutions, and pay bills. Bent over smartphones, they concentrate on each instruction with dedication.“Of course, we were a bit hesitant when we first arrived. But Marija, our instructor, truly encouraged and empowered us. She said, ‘You can do this. You’ve already learned many things in life. This is something you’ll pick up quickly, adapt to, and know how to use,’” says participant Verica Bulajić.  Vera Sokolović agrees, adding that over the five sessions, patience was key:“Our instructor Marija took the time with each of us—checking if we had accessed the app correctly, how we were doing. She spoke individually with everyone. I felt more confident. And within the time allocated for training, we learned so much. What was even better was that she gave us her phone number and said we could call her if anything was unclear. We could also reach her by email for further guidance. That kind, non-intrusive approach is so important, especially when working with people our age.”  Instructor Marija Marković says her motivation came from the desire to support those who have often been left behind by rapid technological progress. She was glad to help them gain confidence in using digital tools and accessing public services from the comfort of their homes.“eGovernment has a platform that’s genuinely useful to them. I think they were happiest about the e-Cadastre, where they could check the status of their property. They no longer need to go to the land registry office to find out if something is registered or what its legal status is. Whether they’re buying real estate or own land in rural areas, they can now see if it’s legalized, whether there are any encumbrances, and so on,” explains Marija. “Now I don’t need to go out and stand in line to pay bills at the post office. I can sit at home with my coffee and do it online. I learned that here. The moment they told us we could install the app, I ran straight to the Postal Savings Bank to do it,” Vera adds.To improve digital literacy among older persons in local communities, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Red Cross of Serbia, organized training sessions as part of the joint UN Programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature.” The workshops were held in six cities and municipalities: Kragujevac, Kruševac, Velika Plana, Zaječar, Boljevac, and Niš. Since the programme began, more than 500 older persons have acquired basic knowledge of digital tools. In addition, in the village of Miloševac near Velika Plana—home to many foster families—both older and younger foster mothers joined the training sessions.The training programme consisted of five mandatory sessions focused on essential digital skills for exercising rights and accessing services—such as creating an email account, using e-services for documentation, accessing the eGovernment portal for health and administrative needs, and using e-banking.
The most popular modules included the use of e-Cadastre and accessing personal documents such as ID cards and passports. Due to a high level of interest and a need for further practice, many participants opted to continue through additional group sessions.“Digital literacy is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity and a tool for social inclusion. The workshops also created strong social bonds, improving participants’ overall quality of life,” adds Sonja Madžoski Marković from the Red Cross of Serbia.  Out of nearly 100,000 people living in the Zaječar District, one-third are over the age of 65. At the same time, only one in nine is younger than 15.In October 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Zaječar between the Red Cross Zaječar, the City of Zaječar, and the local Center for Social Work, strengthening institutional cooperation and establishing a framework for long-term digital support to older persons. On that occasion, participants were also awarded certificates for successfully completing the training. After Zaječar, Memorandums of Cooperation were signed in the remaining five cities and municipalities where the trainings were conducted.Participants will continue to share the knowledge they gained, because digital literacy knows no age—it connects generations, creates opportunities, and empowers communities.When a community learns together, it grows stronger together.The activity was carried out within the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" program, jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland. 

Belgrade, Serbia, 17 June 2025 – In a strong show of solidarity against hate and discrimination, youth representatives and senior officials gathered at the Silosi cultural centre in Belgrade to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The event featured a vibrant panel discussion followed by the unveiling of a large mural, both aiming to foster unity, inclusion, and resilience in the face of rising hate speech in the region.The gathering also marked the launch of the joint “Tolerance” campaign — a six-month awareness-raising initiative by the United Nations and the Council of Europe aimed at promoting inclusion and countering hate through youth engagement, education, media and public dialogue. Organised under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, and in partnership with the UN Country Team in Serbia, the event highlighted the power of youth participation in shaping anti-discrimination policies and narratives.Opening the event, Janos Babity, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, said that the International Day for Countering Hate Speech serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address hate speech in all its forms—online and offline—and to build inclusive, respectful societies rooted in human rights, equality, and mutual understanding. “At the heart of this effort are young people, who continue to be among the most affected by discrimination but also among the most vocal and creative agents of change. Their leadership, ideas, and courage are essential to confronting intolerance and reshaping narratives of exclusion into those of solidarity and shared humanity.”In her remarks, Matilde Mordt, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, emphasised the urgency of acting against hate speech and the role of young people in creating lasting change. “If hate is loud, then tolerance must speak louder — not with anger, but with empathy, creativity, and courage. The ‘Tolerance’ campaign is a call to action: to choose inclusion over division, and to amplify the stories that bring us closer, not push us apart,” said Mordt.At the heart of the event was a youth-led panel discussion based on the 75 recommendations developed at the 2024 Sjenica Youth Forum. The dialogue brought together young people from diverse networks—including the Young European Ambassadors, UNICEF Youth Network, alongside participants from the regional United Nations initiative Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust, UN Association and the youth panels of the Commissioner for Equality and Ombudsperson—with senior policy-makers. Topics covered included education as a tool against hate, discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, and identity, as well as combating online hate and boosting youth resilience. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Ivana Krstić, from the Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade. Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, also highlighted the key role of young people in the fight for a more tolerant and just society. “Young people are the only ones with the potential to be drivers of change when it comes to hate speech, which is often not taken seriously enough and is seen merely as a step toward conflict and violence — even though its use normalises violence,” said the Commissioner.Following the panel, participants moved to the Silosi area to unveil a giant mural inspired by messages of inclusion and solidarity. Created by local artists, Luka Prstojević and Kruna Jevtić, the mural is envisioned as a lasting public statement against hate speech and a celebration of diversity.Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, said unveiling the mural that the mural is more than just an artistic act — it is a message. “It is a message of determination and unity in standing up to hatred in all its forms, whether on the street, in schools, or online,” said Halacheva. The mural painting and organisation of the event were supported through the action "Combating discrimination and promoting diversity in Serbia", which is part of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye", in partnership with the United Nations Country Team in Serbia.For more information, please contact:Bojana Barlovac, Regional Communication Officer, Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, +381 (0)63 60 13 37Aleksandra Stamenković, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia: +381 63 302 831

Belgrade, 31 May 2025 – To mark World Bicycle Day, the United Nations in Serbia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the association Streets for Cyclists organized a group ride through central Belgrade to highlight the need for safer, greener, and more inclusive urban mobility.UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Matilde Mordt, emphasized that city streets must work for everyone — not just motor vehicles. “Everyone should be able to move through their city safely — whether they are walking, cycling, pushing a stroller or riding a wheelchair. That’s not the reality today in most cities. Unsafe infrastructure, lack of space, and speeding cars make urban mobility stressful and dangerous,” said Mordt.“We need to rethink how we design our cities. Prioritizing people over traffic, and investing in cycling and bicycle lanes, is one of the easiest and most impactful steps we can take for improving urban mobility. And it is also a way of reducing pollution and promoting healthy lifestyles!” Dutch Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Martijn Elgersma, reminded participants that cycling in the Netherlands is not just a cultural feature, but the result of years of civic action and sustained investment.“The Netherlands has the largest amount of cyclists and bicycles, but it is also the safest country to cycle. We Dutch take this for granted, but it took quite an effort to get where we are now. It all started in the early 70’s when people were concerned about safety, requesting better protection for cyclists. Fifty years later we have a 35,000 km long cycling infrastructure. I think this is a good example how widespread cycling contributes to economic and environmental development of the country, and increased safety for all participants in traffic.” In Serbia, conditions for cyclists remain far from ideal. According to Zoran Bukvić, from the Streets for Cyclists association, about 50 cyclists are killed and over 1,400 injured on Serbian roads each year, despite relatively low levels of daily cycling.“These figures show there’s plenty of room for improvement. In most severe accidents, responsibility lies with motor vehicle drivers, not cyclists. But the issue isn’t only individual behavior — it’s the lack of safe infrastructure and long-term planning,” said Bukvić. “Cycling is a practical, healthy and affordable way to get around. If we want more people to choose it, we need to make it feel safe and convenient. Where there are more cyclists, roads become safer — for everyone.”The ride highlighted a growing public expectation that cycling should be a safe, everyday choice — not a risky act of courage. 

Women from rural areas in Serbia build sustainable communities every day, not only by working the land and feeding their families, but also by launching businesses, preserving tradition, and fostering innovation where few expect it. Behind each of these successes, however, lies a struggle with invisibility, unequal conditions, and limited access to resources. These challenges and ways to overcome them, were at the heart of the recent subnational dialogue on empowering women in Serbia’s agri-food systems.Organized in Novi Sad through the collaboration between the BioSens Institute and the UN Women Serbia Office, the subnational dialogue brought together representatives of institutions, civil society, international organizations, and academia. The event aimed to strengthen the role of women in rural communities, promote inclusive and sustainable development, and enhance multisectoral cooperation in the implementation of the National Guidelines for the Transformation of Food Systems.The dialogue was opened by Jelena Jojić from the BioSens Institute, with additional remarks by Lorenza Jachia from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Serbia and Milica Trajković, Head of the Center for Innovation and Business Development at BioSens. The speakers highlighted the importance of integrating a gender perspective across all development policies and projects related to agriculture and sustainability.From idea to market: Women’s rural entrepreneurship in the spotlightThe central segment of the programme featured a panel discussion titled “Women’s Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas – From Idea to Market,” where female entrepreneurs shared their personal experiences, challenges, and recommendations for improving the position of women in the agri-food sector.Panelists Sanida Klarić, Radmila Nikolić, Aleksandra Pavlović, and Aleksandra Radivojević spoke about their entrepreneurial beginnings, often driven by necessity, and how they went on to build sustainable and authentic brands through perseverance, continuous learning, and hard work.They emphasized the discrimination they faced solely because of their gender yet remained committed to their goals thanks to access to education, support networks, and community solidarity. The importance of relying on local resources and strong female role models from within their own communities was underlined, as was the need for increased access to information on available funding and the protection of women’s economic rights. A particular concern raised was women’s lack of ownership over property and agricultural holdings, which often excludes them from inheritance and limits their access to social protection systems. The concluding message of the panel was clear: while Serbia has a solid legal framework, its  delayed implementation continues to hinder the potential of rural women to become true agents of change and development in their communities.Partnerships for SustainabilityThe dialogue was part of the “From Seed to Sustainability – Food Systems for All” initiative, led in Serbia by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and jointly implemented by FAO, UNEP, and UN Women, with the support of UNECE and in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and other national stakeholders.The initiative is financially supported by the Joint SDG Fund, with contributions from the European Union and more than fifteen governments, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.