I am Milan Filipović from Niš. I graduated in Social Policy and Social Work from the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, where I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Policy. I worked at the Center for Social Work in Niš (2007–2017) across all departments. My areas of expertise included combating violence, peer violence, child custody arrangements in divorce cases, human trafficking and victim support, work with migrants, and providing psychosocial support to people in social need, marginalized groups, and victims of domestic violence. I have participated in numerous projects and humanitarian initiatives, including Big Brother, Big Sister (Save the Children), work with internally displaced persons in family and collective accommodation (Amity), and group work with perpetrators of violence (Alternativ til Violence, UNDP, Government of the Kingdom of Norway). I am also a co-author of a handbook in the field of social protection. I worked as a teacher at a Montessori preschool in the USA, China and Malta. Through this project, I want to focus on supporting, professionally training, and integrating young people who are leaving foster care or family placement. I plan to achieve this through various workshops, networking with all relevant institutions in Niš and Serbia, and establishing my own non-governmental organization. Young people leaving the foster care system often lack the professional skills necessary for independent living and employment, which is a significant issue. Only through proper training and support can they become self-sufficient, secure their future, and contribute positively to their local communities and society as a whole.
