The project “Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust” aims to increase media literacy among young people, enhance their role in promoting greater understanding and respect for diversity, boost youth engagement in local communities, and strengthen intercultural dialogue with a focus on inclusion and gender equality. The activities are implemented by UNFPA Serbia and the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation through the “Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust” project, in cooperation with UNDP Serbia, UNESCO, and UN Women, with financial support from the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund. This project is also part of the regional initiative “Empowering Youth to Promote Greater Mutual Understanding, Constructive Narratives, Respect for Diversity, and Trust.”
Following a successful first phase implemented during 2023-2024, the project entered its continuation phase in April 2025, with a series of activities planned through October 2026. These activities aim to further increase media literacy among youth in Serbia and to strengthen the capacity of media outlets—especially at the local level—to work with young people and produce youth-oriented content. As part of this phase, representatives from four media outlets will undergo specialized training for a mentorship program focused on working with youth. This program is expected to result in 12 mini-campaigns that will be created and led by young people across Serbia.
As part of the first phase of the project, during 2023-2024, three programs were organized:
“Youth for Dialogue in the Local Community”, through which 15 young people became familiar with the work of national and international institutions, youth policy, and became involved in the activities of youth organizations within their local communities.
“Celebrating Diversity” is a program involving 10 high schools, aimed at empowering young people, encouraging them to exchange experiences, present their local communities and cultural landmarks, and promote greater understanding and respect for diversity.
“Youth Media Literacy” aimed to strengthen the skills and capacities of 40 young people in the areas of media literacy and critical thinking, as well as in reporting on topics such as gender-based discrimination, online hate speech, dialogue and violence prevention, toxic masculinity, gender equality, gender stereotypes, and more. Participants underwent training and mentorship, resulting in the development of 10 campaigns that were promoted in the media and on youth platforms.
Learn more about the campaigns carried out by our participants during 2023-2024:
- If you're a young person—or simply someone who enjoys what young people care about—follow the Aktivizija profile, launched as part of the Youth Media Literacy program. On this profile, you’ll find content related to activism and volunteering, youth perspectives on gender-based violence, racism, toxic masculinity, and many other topics that offer young people the opportunity to actively contribute to positive change in their communities.
Campaigns you can follow on Aktivizija include:
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Podcast on Gender-Based Violence - Guests discuss the importance of gender equality, gender-sensitive language, challenges, and potential solutions. Watch the podcast episodes on the Divac Foundation’s YouTube channel.
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Video Campaign on Toxic Masculinity - This campaign explores the portrayal of toxic masculinity in Serbian cinema and how gender stereotypes and roles impact youth. Learn more on the Aktivizija profile.
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Podcast “Putokaz” (Signpost) - In five episodes, this podcast creates space for honest conversations that highlight the lives and challenges of young Roma women. The guests reflect on their personal stories and emphasize the importance of education and the desire to support their communities.
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Publication “Body Image and Its Enemies” - This publication discusses the challenges young people face regarding physical appearance and body image. It features articles on the evolution of beauty in the 21st century, plus-size models, digital self-modification through filters, and more.
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Campaign “Women in Science and Culture” - Panel discussions were held in Belgrade and Niš, focusing on the role and strength of women in technical sciences. Speakers inspired audiences with powerful messages about the diversity and uniqueness of women's contributions to the worlds of art and culture.
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TikTok Campaign “Just Mine” - This campaign tackles cyberviolence and topics such as online privacy, identifying fake profiles, non-consensual pornography, and the negative effects of shaming.
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Campaign “Mental Health of Youth” - This campaign explores how common psychotherapy is among young people, what its benefits are, and whether the pandemic made us more aware of the importance of mental health.
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Campaign “The Right to Work, Even When You’re Young” - Focused on how familiar young people are with their labor rights, their position in the job market, and what they wish they had known before starting their first job.
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Documentary Film “Point B” - Tells the story of three individuals who, fleeing persecution and conflict, found a safe and better life in Serbia—and wish to stay. On average, over 100,000 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers enter Serbia each year. This film captures the experiences of some of them who came to Belgrade in search of a safer and brighter future.