BACKGROUND

Divac Youth Funds 2.0 is a two-year project implemented in partnership with the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. The program empowers youth to advocate for local resource mobilization and youth participation in local policy development.  This project builds on the success of the initial USAID-supported Divac Youth Fund project.

ACTIVITIES

The Divac Foundation works with youth activists and civil society organizations (CSOs) in municipalities across Serbia with the goal of engaging over 13,500 youth in activities that will increase their ability to articulate their needs and to advocate for inclusion in decision making processes at the municipal level. To achieve this, the project trains youth in fundraising and local philanthropy; helps youth and youth-led CSOs develop the skills for partnering with local governments and the private sector; works with youth-led CSOs to promote and support youth initiatives; sponsors public debates to discuss youth-related issues and solutions; and supports innovative advocacy efforts that produce youth-favorable local resource mobilization.

As a result of these efforts, the project aims to:

• Form partnerships between youth, local governments, and private businesses with pledged financial commitments for youth initiatives;
• Fund 200 youth-led initiatives through grants and matching funds;
• Develop a cadre of youth leaders trained in fundraising and local philanthropy, who are engaged in mentoring of others;
• Elevate youth-related issues within the public debate;
• Foster a new generation of youth leaders engaged in their communities.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Serbia)

Project implemented by:

Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation

Key counterparts:

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Serbian Association of Managers, participating local self-governments, local youth activists, and CSO partners.

Where we work:

Prijepolje, Vršac, Vladicin Han, Vlasotince, Kanjiža, Aranđelovac, Blace, Lazarevac and Obrenovac.

Project duration:

March 2015 – March 2017

Total amount:  $571,278

USAID contribution:  $294,987

Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation:  $276,291

Contact:

Ilije Garašanina 53a/V
11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Phone: +381 11 334 1755
E-mail:  hod@divac.com
Website:  www.fondacijadivac.org
Social Media platform: https://www.facebook.com/FondacijaDivac