My name is Aleksa Nikolić (21) and I come from Niš. I am a student at the Faculty of Medicine in Niš, and for several years I have been actively engaged in human rights work, with a particular focus on the rights and position of the LGBTIQ+ community. I am one of the founders of KOLEKTIV PLUS, the only non-governmental organization in southern Serbia dedicated to the rights and empowerment of LGBTIQ+ persons. Through this organization, we contribute to the development of programs focused on support, visibility, and safety of LGBTIQ+ individuals in the public space, while also addressing issues of discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes affecting members of the community. We also provide psychological support to LGBTIQ+ youth and their parents, and our long-term vision is to establish an LGBTIQ+ community center in Niš that would serve as a safe space for the community. My work includes research activities, youth work, and public advocacy aimed at building tolerance, dialogue, and mutual understanding. Through the projects I lead, I strive to create a safer and more inclusive environment, while also advocating for educational programs to recognize the importance of human rights and adequate support for students who are part of the LGBTIQ+ community. In addition, I work as a counselor for voluntary and confidential counseling and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through a program supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Through this engagement, I contribute to the improvement of public health and social inclusion of vulnerable groups in Serbia, providing support to young people and individuals from marginalized communities, both through fieldwork and individual counseling, as well as educational programs focused on sexual and reproductive health. Through the HRL Program, I aim to acquire new knowledge, strengthen my advocacy capacities, and, together with other participants, build a strong support network for members of marginalized groups, regardless of their diverse identities.
