Belgrade – The closing ceremony for the Empowered Youth for Positive Changes in South Serbia and Sandžak project was held today at Cultural Center Grad. For the past two years, this project was implemented by Civic Initiatives and supported by USAID. Project results were presented, and further steps which will be taken to build the capacity of civil society in Serbia were announced.

˝It is very important to recognize the strength of young and active citizens of this society. I believe that Civic Initiatives and USAID have managed to recognize their real potential and additionally encourage and empower them to be even more active. However, this must not be the end – our goal is to further empower civil society in Serbia, its growth, development and partnerships with other institutions. We can be the engine of development for society only if we are united,” said Maja Stojanovic, Executive Director at Civic Initiatives.

At the closing ceremony, the Civic Initiatives’ Resource Center web platform – razvoj.gradjanske.org – was presented and it will continue to serve as a source of information and additional education for activists and civil society organizations. Attendees had the opportunity to try out the new platform and learn the results of the “Openly About Public Spaces” campaign - including photos of newly mapped public spaces – and the YouthBuild program in South Serbia and Sandžak which gave 100 young people the opportunity to implement local actions and receive additional education through various trainings, practices and volunteer work.

˝It was a great pleasure to be a part of a program such as YouthBuild,˝ said Milena Mladenovic, one of the participants. ˝I have learned a lot about acceptance and tolerance from the young people with whom I have hung out during the program. On the other side, trainings, workshops and local actions taught me of the importance of being active, helping other people and developing your own skills and competencies.”