We hereby appeal to the competent State and City authorities to urgently find a solution for sustainable and comprehensive financing of one of the most important services of social protection – the Drop-in Center for street involved children, bearing in mind the envisaged closure of the Drop-in Center as of 1st April.

We are aware of the difficult economic situation in the Republic of Serbia, but we hope that, prior to the announced closure, a manner will be found to enable the Drop-in Center to continue its work without hindrance, so that the children living and working in the street can have a safe place where they will be provided necessary support, understanding and help. Without services of the Drop-in Center, the City of Belgrade and the Republic of Serbia will express unwillingness and incapability to protect one of the most vulnerable categories of children. The announced closure of the Drop-in Center and lack of full understanding for the service will be a blow to all those who hope that they can change the society for the better with their ideas and actions.

Therefore, we appeal to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy to urgently find a solution for financing the Drop-in Center for street involved children in cooperation with the Centre for Youth Integration and the Secretariat for Social Welfare of the City of Belgrade.

The Appeal has been supported by 59 civil society organizations and 309 individuals.

See: Appeal
Centre for Youth Integration Announcement: Decision on Closure of the Drop-in Center (Serbian only)