The NOVA project hosted a round table discussion on social activation and vulnerable groups, bringing together 27 professionals and stakeholders from various backgrounds in Belgrade. The event took place at the Hotel Crystal on February 23, 2023, and provided an opportunity for attendees to share experiences, learn from one another, and foster cooperation on projects related to social activation and support for vulnerable populations.

The discussion kicked off with introductory remarks from Assistant Minister Mirjana Ćojbašić and Žarko Šunderić of the Center for Social Policy, who also served as the moderator for the event. A key highlight of the round table was the presentation by Srđan Bogosavljević and Ana Antić from Ipsos, who shared their research findings on the state and attitudes of the target group. This prompted a lively conversation among attendees, who represented various organizations such as centers for social welfare, GIZ, the University of Belgrade, ASB, IDC, and numerous NGOs.

Vesna Vidojević from GIZ discussed the project “Social services for vulnerable groups,” while Gordan Velev from ASB and Ivana Kecović from IDC shared their experiences working with the target group on other initiatives. Martina Trbanc from the Institute for Social Protection of the Republic of Slovenia provided valuable insights into the Social Activation Program in Slovenia, which was financed through the European Social Fund (ESF).

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to talk about their projects and share their experiences related to social activation programs and support for vulnerable groups. The round table discussion proved to be a productive and informative platform for knowledge exchange, sparking insightful conversations and reinforcing the importance of collaboration among professionals and stakeholders in the field.