As part of the third cycle of the Human Rights Leadership Program, running from 2024 to 2026, Heartefact has awarded nine new grants to organizations across Serbia working on the protection and promotion of human rights of marginalized and minority communities. The program focuses on combating social exclusion, violence and discrimination, strengthening human rights defenders and developing local initiatives that contribute to democratic culture and respect for human rights. This year’s grant recipients come from different parts of Serbia and address through their projects the specific challenges faced by vulnerable social groups.
- Association for Cultural and Tourism Development Sokolica (URKT Sokolica)
„A Special Education Teacher Is Not a Luxury“
Approved budget: 500,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Systemic resolution of the shortage of special education teachers in Sokobanja and provision of early developmental support for children with disabilities
Place of activity: Sokobanja
URKT Sokolica is an association founded in 2022 in Sokobanja, operating in the areas of human rights, inclusion, gender equality, mental health and media literacy.
The project addresses the systemic shortage of special education teachers in Sokobanja and its consequences for children with developmental disabilities and their families. Through collecting parents’ testimonies, mental health workshops, empowering mothers and an advocacy campaign in local media and before decision-makers, the project aims to introduce a contracted special education teacher funded from the municipal budget and strengthen families’ capacity to jointly advocate for their children’s right to development.
- Association “KOLEKTIV PLUS”
„Identity Is a Public Matter: I Belong Here“
Approved budget: 600,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Innovative interventions to improve the position of marginalized communities
Place of activity: Niš
Kolektiv Plus is the only active LGBTIQ+ organization south of Belgrade, operating since 2023 in the field of protecting the human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons, with a particular focus on southern Serbia. The organization combines activism, education, artistic work and public advocacy.
The project responds to the rise in physical attacks on LGBTIQ+ activists and the isolation of marginalized communities in Niš. By establishing a Trust Network connecting activists, Roma people, persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities with local institutions, the project builds a lasting mechanism for protection and advocacy. Workshops on safety, legal protection and mental health, as well as a Week of Identity and Solidarity culminating in a public march, make public space more open and accessible to all identities.
- Society for the Fight against Diabetes “Diabetes Mellitus”
„For a Life with Less Pain“
Approved budget: 600,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Improving the position of persons with diabetes
Place of activity: Čačak and Sjenica
The Society for the Fight against Diabetes “Diabetes Mellitus” was founded in 2000 in Čačak and has extensive experience working with people with diabetes and other vulnerable social groups. Since 2008, it has continuously implemented capacity-building programs for associations of persons with disabilities with the support of local and national institutions.
The project advocates for access to continuous glucose monitoring sensors for all persons on insulin therapy who currently do not have this right. Through expert dialogue, a working seminar and public promotional activities, the project brings together experts, associations, young leaders and decision-makers from the fields of health and finance. Particular emphasis is placed on the participation of young people who use personal experiences to strengthen advocacy messages, with the key result being the development of concrete recommendations for improving public health policy.
- PR Agency FEU
„TETKE“ Podcast
Approved budget: 600,000 RSD
Thematic focus: The position of the LGBTIQ+ community
Place of activity: Belgrade (regional distribution)
Agency FEU was founded in 2017 and has since been running campaigns in the field of human rights with a particular focus on LGBTIQ+ rights, collaborating with organizations such as Labris, Belgrade Pride, the United Nations and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights.
The project develops a podcast for the LGBTIQ+ community in Serbia, the region and the diaspora speaking BCHS languages. Rather than reducing LGBTIQ+ topics solely to violence and discrimination, the podcast portrays the diversity of queer people’s experiences and interests and analyzes current topics through a queer lens. In addition to regular episodes featuring prominent guests from culture and public life, two live community events are planned, with the long-term goal of expanding the circle of allies and contributing to a more inclusive society.
- Center for Temporary Accommodation and Social Empowerment of LGBT+ Persons “Krilo”
„Without a Safe Foundation: Housing Insecurity and Social Protection of LGBT+ Persons in Serbia“
Approved budget: 600,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Research and advocacy for inclusive social protection services for LGBTIQ+ persons
Place of activity: Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš
“Krilo” is a newly founded organization whose goal is to open the first safe house in Serbia for LGBTIQ+ persons who are victims of violence. The project team includes a graduate social worker and family counsellor, a specialist in social medicine, and a master’s-level social worker with extensive experience in the social protection sector.
The project maps the key barriers LGBTIQ+ persons face in the social protection system, with the aim of reducing the risk of social exclusion and homelessness. Through questionnaires, focus groups and analysis of data collected from LGBTIQ+ persons, institutional staff and civil society representatives, the project formulates concrete recommendations for developing inclusive policies and services. Results will be presented through a publication, panel discussion and community workshop, laying the groundwork for the first specialized housing services for LGBTIQ+ persons in Serbia.
- Open Educational Vibes
“Strong Against Digital Violence“
Approved budget: 500,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Digital safety and empowerment of women in the fight against gender-based violence
Place of activity: Multiple cities across Serbia
Open Educational Vibes is an association operating in the areas of digital skills, youth work and feminist practice, with experience in research, education and running workshops in collaboration with civil society organizations across the region.
The project develops practical tools for protecting women from gender-based digital violence. Research and focus groups lead to the creation of a print and digital publication, protocols for reporting violence to institutions and a psychological self-help protocol, with the central result being the chatbot application that provides women with immediate legal and psychological assistance in real time, free of charge and without advertising. In the final phase, the project includes seven workshops for activists and volunteers from civil society organizations, accompanied by an Instagram campaign raising public awareness of digital violence.
- SOS Women’s Center
“My Body, My Birth!”
Approved budget: 600,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Psychological support and legal information for victims of obstetric violence
Place of activity: Novi Sad
SOS Women’s Center is a non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit association providing informational, legal and psychological assistance to women and other victims of gender-based violence, advocating for the protection of human rights and gender equality.
The project provides free psychological support and legal information to women who have experienced obstetric violence during pregnancy or childbirth. Through extending the SOS helpline to weekends, prevention and intervention workshops and a social media campaign, the project raises public awareness of this issue and creates a safe space where women can share their experiences and receive support.
- MHD “Merhamet Sandžak”
“Spectrum”
Approved budget: 350,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Psychosocial support and advocacy for the rights of families of persons with autism
Place of activity: Novi Pazar
Merhamet Sandžak is a humanitarian and development organization based in Novi Pazar with decades of experience supporting vulnerable groups, particularly children, young people and families at risk. The organization develops programs of social inclusion and psychosocial support in close collaboration with local institutions, schools and social work centers.
The project makes visible the psychosocial burden carried by families of persons with autism, with a particular focus on women, mothers and sisters, as primary caregivers. A psychologist conducts research on stress levels, exposure to aggressive episodes and the availability of support, with findings to be presented through an analytical report serving as a basis for dialogue with institutions. In parallel, short video stories documenting the personal experiences of women caregivers are being produced, empowering them to articulate their needs and participate in public dialogue on improving support services.
- Citizens’ Association Ekspanzija Brodarevo
“The Strength of Brodarevo’s Women Lies in Knowledge”
Approved budget: 500,000 RSD
Thematic focus: Empowering women from rural areas and strengthening their participation in local communities
Place of activity: Brodarevo and surrounding villages in southwestern Serbia
The Women’s Association “Ekspanzija” was founded in 2013 in Brodarevo with the aim of affirming and improving the position of women in rural areas. It brings together around 30 active women of different ages and works on equal rights, economic empowerment, education and the active participation of women in public life, with a particular focus on women from rural areas as drivers of change in their communities. The project strengthens the capacities of women from rural areas for mutual support and active participation in community life, addressing the challenges of social isolation, limited access to information and services, and low participation in local decision-making. Through educational activities and networking, the project simultaneously builds informal networks of rural women’s associations in southwestern Serbia.
The program is part of a broader project supported by the European Union, within which Heartefact is actively working to advocate for the improvement of the human rights situation in Serbia.