From supporting women who have survived violence, to empowering women in agriculture, to advocating for cleaner air, civic campaigns across Serbia demonstrate that local communities have the strength to change our reality when they act together with clear and concrete goals.
At a time when public discourse often focuses on apathy and a lack of trust in social change, examples from the field show quite the opposite. Within the ACT Project – Together for an Active Civil Society, implemented by Helvetas Serbia and Civic Initiatives with financial support from the Swiss Government, civil society organizations from different parts of Serbia have carried out successful fundraising campaigns that not only secured financial support, but also brought communities together around important social issues.
Supporting Women – From Safety to Economic Independence in Kruševac and the Kolubara District
The association “Peščanik” from Kruševac, marking its 25th anniversary, implemented the campaign “25 for 25,” aimed at purchasing food and hygiene products for 25 women who are survivors of domestic violence. The funds raised were allocated to direct support for women in crisis situations. This chain of support enables women with experiences of family and partner violence to leave abusive relationships more quickly. The campaign also opened space for dialogue on violence against women in a community where this topic is often silenced.
At the same time, the Women’s Association of the Kolubara District (ŽUKO), through the initiative Women’s Market, focused on the economic empowerment of women farmers. By supporting local producers, this initiative connected solidarity with a sustainable economic model, demonstrating that fundraising campaigns can simultaneously strengthen local production and improve the position of women in rural areas. ŽUKO developed a platform for selling products from women-owned agricultural households, along with its own delivery system to customers’ addresses. Currently, deliveries are made using personal vehicles without refrigeration, which prevents the sale of perishable goods during the summer months. As a result, the organization has launched a fundraising campaign to acquire a refrigerated vehicle, ensuring the sustainability of the platform and women-led farms in the Kolubara District.
Youth, Culture, and Empathy in Ćićevac and Novi Sad
In Ćićevac, the association “Okular” is implementing the campaign “You Are Love” through the online sale of branded products via the website tisiljubav.rs, aimed at supporting younger generations. The campaign is designed to bring humanitarian work closer to young people through a contemporary visual identity and a clear message of empathy and togetherness.
In Novi Sad, the association “Hrabriša” organized the ballet performance “100 Ballerinas for Little Hrabrišas,” a unique cultural and humanitarian event that raised funds for children with rare neurotransmitter disorders. The combination of art and humanitarian action demonstrated how culture can be a powerful tool for social solidarity.
Community as a Driver of Change in Subotica and Leskovac
In Subotica, the association “Klara i Rosa” organized a large Christmas market that brought together local producers, artists, and citizens. The event was not only an opportunity to raise funds, but also to strengthen the local community and promote solidarity during the holiday season.
In Leskovac, the association “Tim 42” regularly organizes pub quizzes as a way to raise funds for the fight for cleaner air in the city. These events successfully combine socializing, education, and activism, showing that civic engagement can be both enjoyable and sustainable.
Through support for initiatives such as these, the ACT Project – Together for an Active Civil Society confirms that an active civil society in Serbia exists and has the capacity to respond to concrete community needs and support vulnerable groups. These campaigns build trust and demonstrate that change often begins at the local level—where problems are most visible, but where solidarity is also most tangible. At the same time, they serve as an open invitation to all citizens who wish to get involved and contribute to one of these campaigns.
