Friends of Children of Serbia - https://www.unicreditfoundation.org/en/education-support/grassroots-initiatives/friends-of-children-of-serbia

Friends of Children of Serbia is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1990 with the mission of promoting and protecting children's rights, contributing to improving the living conditions of children and youth in Serbia.

The organisation adopts an integrated approach: on one hand, it implements direct interventions to support children; on the other, it contributes to shaping public policies in the field of childhood and adolescence.

Friends of Children of Serbia represents a national network bringing together local organisations active across the country and stands out for the strong direct involvement of children and young people in all phases of its activities – from design to evaluation. In collaboration with them, it promotes educational, cultural, creative, recreational, and social initiatives, fostering active participation and inclusion.

Friends of Children of Serbia is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1990 with the mission of promoting and protecting children's rights, contributing to improving the living conditions of children and youth in Serbia.

The organisation adopts an integrated approach: on one hand, it implements direct interventions to support children; on the other, it contributes to shaping public policies in the field of childhood and adolescence.

Friends of Children of Serbia represents a national network bringing together local organisations active across the country and stands out for the strong direct involvement of children and young people in all phases of its activities – from design to evaluation. In collaboration with them, it promotes educational, cultural, creative, recreational, and social initiatives, fostering active participation and inclusion.

Steps to Independence – Phase 1

The programme supported by UniCredit Foundation in 2023: objectives and results

The Steps to Independence programme, selected by UniCredit Foundation under the Call for Education 2023, was developed to support children and young people from highly vulnerable groups living in state institutions and at risk of school dropout.

Targeting youth aged 11 to 19 living in residential care facilities in Belgrade – often exposed to marginalization, stigma, and risks of exploitation, crime, and exclusion – the programme provided integrated support including:

personalized educational support
guidance toward higher education
development of soft and professional skills for employability
creation of connections with potential employers.

A distinctive feature of the initiative is its systemic approach: in addition to working directly with young people, the programme strengthens the capacities of the surrounding ecosystem by involving institutional staff, social workers, employment services, and companies.

Key results (2025):

strengthened skills and self-confidence of participants through structured training pathways
creation of innovative learning spaces within residential institutions
active involvement of companies and employment services, fostering job placement
introduction of sustainable practices, including through a Memorandum with the National Employment Service.

The programme also contributed to a significant cultural shift, promoting a transition from a welfare-based model to an approach focused on the real and sustainable autonomy of young people.

Steps to Independence – Phase 1

The programme supported by UniCredit Foundation in 2023: objectives and results

The Steps to Independence programme, selected by UniCredit Foundation under the Call for Education 2023, was developed to support children and young people from highly vulnerable groups living in state institutions and at risk of school dropout.

Targeting youth aged 11 to 19 living in residential care facilities in Belgrade – often exposed to marginalization, stigma, and risks of exploitation, crime, and exclusion – the programme provided integrated support including:

personalized educational support
guidance toward higher education
development of soft and professional skills for employability
creation of connections with potential employers.

A distinctive feature of the initiative is its systemic approach: in addition to working directly with young people, the programme strengthens the capacities of the surrounding ecosystem by involving institutional staff, social workers, employment services, and companies.

Key results (2025):

strengthened skills and self-confidence of participants through structured training pathways
creation of innovative learning spaces within residential institutions
active involvement of companies and employment services, fostering job placement
introduction of sustainable practices, including through a Memorandum with the National Employment Service.

The programme also contributed to a significant cultural shift, promoting a transition from a welfare-based model to an approach focused on the real and sustainable autonomy of young people.

Steps to Independence - Phase 2 and the Trust-based invitation initiative

In 2026, within the framework of the Trust-based invitation initiative – which promotes continuity in interventions against educational poverty and the development of long-term, trust-based partnerships, strengthening organisations’ capacity to generate sustainable impact – UniCredit Foundation renewed its support for Friends of Children of Serbia.

The new programme, Steps to Independence – Phase 2: Strengthening National Systems to Support the Education and Transition to Independence of Children in Alternative Care, adopts a systemic and person-centred approach to address the challenges faced by children outside family care in Serbia.

Over 7,000 children and young people live in alternative care in the country and are often exposed to:

educational exclusion and early school leaving
limited access to higher education
lack of guidance and role models
difficulties in transitioning to independence and employment.

The programme is based on the assumption that structural problems require structural solutions and operates on two complementary levels:

direct support to young people, to strengthen motivation, skills, and future perspectives
capacity building of caregivers and the broader ecosystem, to improve the quality of educational and professional support.

Key actions include:

implementation of the “My First Step” curriculum, an innovative and participatory, play-based educational model aimed at guiding young people in educational and career pathways
engagement of at least 300 children and young people in residential care facilities
structured monitoring of educational pathways and early identification of dropout risks
creation of a Community of Practice among practitioners to promote peer learning and intervention quality
strengthening the capacities of professionals, foster families, and institutions through training and mentoring
promotion of collaboration between social services, the education system, and the labor market.

Through this integrated approach, the programme aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the transition from school to independent living, expanding educational and career opportunities and helping reduce the risk of social exclusion for children in alternative care.