CHANGE YOUR APPROACH , CHANGE YOUR LIFE (PROMENI STAV, PROMENICES ZIVOT) -Part of Author: V.Jovanic 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT (Each section should not be more than

half a page unless otherwise noted.) PLEASE NOTE: Due to the importance of the issue as well as urgency of the support needed descriptions would slightly exceed instructed length. The project deals with particular issues arising from challenges encountered by social institution for breeding youth Zavod za vaspitanje omladine, in Nis (hereafter: ZZVO) to respond to the demands and needs while being subjected to the process of transformation, whereas suffered the transitional gaps and obstacles. The major impact of unfavourable environmental influences reflects the most difficult on those being the most vulnerable and/or marginalized, and those are the beneficiaries of this social institution, children and youth with antisocial behaviour and criminal records/background/potential. According to its current status and mandate, ZZVO is social institution for breeding children and youth of age 14 to 21 as per Court decision, but not limited to this service delivery. In core, the project highlights these issues and strives to contribute to the efforts of the institution to bridge the gaps and alleviate hardships and thus protect its beneficiaries from deprivation and deteriorations while working strongly on their education and re - socialisation. The project pledges for investments in improving livelihood and working conditions on behalf of institutions beneficiaries, improving quality of its services delivered to the beneficiaries and, in so doing lays a foundation for future more sustainable and hence longer - lasting solutions for this target group. This is in line with institutions endeavours to respond to the demands for fostering the process of relocation of the children from institutions into their parent or guardian families, local community. The project therefore provides necessary interventions, presents and supports comprehensive as multilateral innovative responses and explores further joint programming possibilities and related strategy development in particular area. Activities of the project are therefore conceptualized so as to strategically intervene in two focus areas: Conditions in ZZVO - As per response to newly established services 1) Creating conditions - for accommodation and protection of minor children, foreign citizens that illegally stay in Serbia and are without parent/guardians company (Center for

foreigners) ; improving conditions for - children accommodated per Court decision that imposes intensified surveillance(Center for breeding), children accommodated as caught outside the place of residence (Center for Admission) . Proposed solution reconstruction works in premises providing accommodation to enable servises for above mentioned purposes; 2) Improving of environmental conditions where beneficaries of ZZVO spend the most of their time. Proposed solution creating a pleasant and relaxing surroundings that satisfies ecological standards too architectural solution for a landscape access to the main buildings and an enterer design for the club for youth, both within the ZZVOs complex Modalities and the quality of services delivered by ZZVO Laying a foundation for medium to longer-term programme strategy development concerning cooperation with civil society organizations for improving re-socialisation efforts and social life of beneficries; promoting healthy lifestyles and preserving the environment; encouraging beneficiaries creativity, positive attitude and approach to a close and distant surroundings. Hence, providing support to the process of improving quality and range of ZZVOs services and its delivery. Proposed responses: creative and interactive workshops, participation to the social events and happenings, panel discussions aiming at production of the document that prepares ground for further transformation measures to take place.

2.1 Rationale (Background justification on needs and opportunities described on not more than one page. Describe the region and community where the project will be implemented and the reason motivating the request for assistance.) ZZVO delivers its services since 1961. Republic of Serbia is its founder. During its initial period ( 3 - 4 years as of launching the services ) ZZVO has had exercised admission of children of both sexes, female and male. However, this practise ended soon due to adverse impact of heterogeneous composition onto prescribed safegards implementation. According to the new Law on social protection , this institution is included into the network of social protection institutions in Serbia , which provides breeding , education and vocational (professional) training for the children and youth with disorders in social behaviour. Since its establishment, ZZVO have been providing admission and accommodation for the children with imposed corrective measure, issued by the Court this in accommodation capacity of 26. Later on, institutional services have expanded to the provision of a temporarily accommodation for the children caught outside the place of residence (until their return to the community they originate from) and provision of Daily Dwells for the children from local community in admission capacity of 10. Admission

Station (later on transformed into the Center) established in 1982, has been providing an accommodation for children of both sexes, capacity utilization has been exceeding 100% on annual basis. Daily Dwells for the youth with behavioural problems presents a new service launched in 2007 with the project Daily dwells for youth implementation , which continued to be operative till nowadays following project successful implementation. As per Decision issued by Government of Serbia, in Dec.2010, ZZVO has been entitled for additional service admission, accommodation and protection provision for minors without company of a parent/guardian, foreign citizens with illegal stay in Serbia in accommodation capacity of 10. Capacity utilization already exceeded 100% (see below) Total accommodation capacity of ZZVO is 36. Average number of beneficiaries, accommodated per Court decision in ZZVO (on monthly basis) is 24 to 26. Capacity utilization in available pavilions reaches its maximum. Ethnical structure of beneficiaries is heterogeneous, whereas the majority of belongs to Roma population. No incidents/conflicts on ethnical basis have been noted so far. Around 20% of beneficiaries have no contacts with their parent families. Conflicting families/breakdown of family relations as well as recognized pathology present the major etiological factors that cause and/or contribute to the development of behavioural problems among juveniles. There were 118 children (115 boys and 3 girls) in 2010 that enjoyed the services of ZZVO, out of which : 35 were under institutional treatment (out of which 27 accommodated per Court Decision and 8 by Decision of the Guardian Body 1) , 65 accommodated in Admission Center, Daily Dwells enjoyed 5 children. Admission Centre (not Centre for foreign minors, which still doesnt exist in terms of separate premises appropriate for) has accommodated 12 children and youth without company of parent/guardian, foreign citizens, which exceeded the existing capacity of Centre. Out of those 12, two children were 14-15 yrs old , 8 were between 16 and 18 and two were older than 18. Data presented confirmed the need for premises to be adapated for the purpose of admission and accommodation of children foreigners. In 2010, there was no admission of refugee or displaced children. Average length of stay of ZZVOs beneficaries in this institution has been found to be less than 3 months (60%). Previous experience of ZZVO testify longer stay of beneficiaries - from couple of months to more than 1 year. Following transformational changes , this practise has been reduced. As noted in ZZVO database, the majority of beneficiaries are accommodated as per Court Decision (77.14%). Current year, 2011, follows the same trend. The families of children with that are in conflict with the Law are of extremely low social-economic status. They are often dysfunctional, deficient, involving present social pathology, of low cultural and educational level, low parental capacity and competence. Often, they themselves constitute a source and encouragement for deviant behaviour
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Centre for Social Welfare (hereafter : CSW)

of its younger family members. Thus, in this case, delinquency and antisocial behaviour have been considered as reaction to such relations. The children just follow behavioural model they learned. Social surroundings, environment, could also represent disturbing factor since stigmatization and prejudice hinder socialization process in community these children originate from. These are the reasons why parties gathered around this project considered community support (and cooperation) as very significant for the process of re-socialization of ZZVOs beneficiaries. Here in particular, civil society organizations could greatly support ZZVOs efforts by entering into joint programming, initiation of activities that aiming at drawing attention of general public on the problems essence and the ways the gaps could be bridged, solutions found to overcome obstacles. Once support from community is provided, successful resocialization and active involvement/participation of children in social life would not present a process but a practise. Number of those minors with antisocial behaviour, according to ZZVOs data and analysis, progressively increases. . The justification for, to a certain extent, according to ZZVO, lays in a fact that decisions to send those children to the institution comes rather late, usually when minor has structured already delinquent and antisocial behaviour modalities. Additionally, inadequate conditions for accommodation and treatment within social institution are considered as contributing factor to the mentioned trend increase. According to this institution, it could also be noted increased number of beneficiaries with combination of disturbances, which in addition to the delinquency involves health problems, psychiatric problems etc. ZZVO has been somewhat challenged to respond to such trend since facing accommodation capacity limitations, reconstruction of premises needs, institutional transformation demands, negligence from authorities and resistance from local community/society, hence in comparison to other social institutions, ZZVO has so far been misunderstood and/or marginalized. Negligence and poor conditions of premises of buildings complex becomes very obvious even during the first visit paid to it. It certainly contributes to a negative impact on childrens recovery and progress of their overall treatment applied. In the manner of, treatment of children encounters serious challenges. Some positive changes occurred lately, following new management set up and arrival of new manager. Some small reconstructions are made (from institutional means), however, far from satisfactory level. Needs are huge and support is lucking. On the other side, new manager demonstrates openness and readiness for cooperation with civil sector. The interest for, on the part of civil sector, is however poor. Low support reaction on the part of local community and authorities obstruct the process of transformational changes that are ongoing. Since new services/activities require certain conditions to be met, and so far it has been poorly invested in conditions quality maintenance and improving, that would endorse services and methodology transformations

already being in place, NGO Vatan-Dom 2 (hereafter NGO) and ZZVO have gathered around the idea of initiating this project proposal so as to respond to the emerging needs and draw attention to importance of supporting similar initiatives. In line with successful implementation of the ZZVOs project Daily Dwells (see above), which has been later on transformed into a new ZZVOs service, the team which submits this proposal considers this initiative as beneficial and thus attractive for future programming. The benefit is twofold: a) for the beneficiaries of ZZVO covering urgent needs; b) for the NGO supporting newborn civil organisations initiatives. Institution and NGO found common ground for their activities directed towards the benefit of this vulnerable and marginalized group of beneficiaries. Following in-depth consultations and analysis based on the data provided by ZZVO 3 , emerging needs identified , new services/activities put in place lately (as per authorities decision), screening on the spot , parties gathered around this proposal have identified several areas in need of urgent interventions as well as they are ready to look for mid-term to longer-term solutions to be found. The baseline for this project concept was therefore twofold: - Intervention Strategy in the following area: a) Creating conditions for new services Centre for foreigners; improving conditions for Centre for Admission, Daily Dwells. Proposed solution essential reconstruction works in premises and its adaptation for mentioned purposes; b) Improving environmental conditions where beneficiaries of ZZVO spend the most of their time. Proposed solution creation of a pleasant and relaxing surroundings that satisfies ecological standards too - architectural solution for landscape access to the main buildings and enterer design for Club for youth, both within the ZZVOs complex - Laying a foundation for medium and longer-term programme strategy development concerning support from and cooperation with civil society organizations aiming at re-socialisation and social life of beneficiarys improvement; promoting healthy lifestyles and preserving the environment; encouraging beneficiaries creativity, positive attitude and approach to close and distant surroundings. Hence, in this way, influence improving the quality and range of ZZVOs services delivery. Proposed responses: a) creative and interactive workshops, participation to the social events and happenings, b) Panel discussions aiming at production of the document that lays a foundation for future programming. This proposal therefore: - Complements and supports ZZVOs efforts to identify and promote innovative and alternative modalities for improving of systematic
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Association of citizens for improving the quality of life , non-governmental organization Vatan-Dom, in Nis data available in ZZVO and local community CSWSv.Savain Nis, municipal Public Prosecutor and Ministry of Interior Affairs Office in Nis

and organized protection system for children with disorders in social behaviour, especially children and youth confronted to the Law. Enhances and endorses variety of re-socialization and social inclusion related activities of ZZVOs beneficiaries, which enables newly established standards to be employed for the purpose of comprehensive modality of social protection for the most vulnerable groups. Expands ZZVO services as per Serbian Governments Decision

2.2 Project Goal (What is the purpose of the project? Not more than twenty words.) Creating conditions for ZZVO new services, contributing to the development of the strategy for improving its beneficiaries life quality, resocialisation, affirmation of innovative social protection solutions . 2.3 Location of the Project (State geographic location where project will be implemented.) Project is to be implemented within the complex of ZZVO, which is located within Nis core urban area, easily accessive from many directions. Some of the activities will be implemented outside the complex, in Nis town and in its nearby semi-urban area. The activities have been conceptualized so as to correspond to the activities objectives and the purpose of chosen location 2.4 Target Groups / Beneficiaries
2.4.1 Who will benefit from the project and how will these benefits be realized? Quantify direct and indirect beneficiaries by gender.

Direct beneficiaries: children and youth with manifested antisocial behaviour being in conflict with the Law, perpetrators of criminal acts, 14 to 21 yrs old, male, accommodated in social institution ZZVO in Nis as per Court Decision. Currently there are 26 children under the treatment. Due to ongoing process of transformation of the social institution into the Centres for specific beneficiary categories (see above), beneficiaries of the project also are children and youth with manifested antisocial behaviour , in conflict with the Law but being at risk to be accommodated in social institution. The same refers to minors, foreign citizens caught in illegal stay in Serbia. Bearing in mind the project activities areas (Activity 2, 3, 6, 7) they are considered as potential direct beneficiaries. This increases number of direct beneficiaries to over 100 children (see above)

Final number and structure of those that would be included/involved in project activities implementation would be defined during the preparatory phase of the project activity 1. Leading criteria remaining to be defined, however, a complexity and degree of progression/regression of behavioural problems encountered, number and nature of criminal acts committed, creative potential and motivation will be considered. It is expected that modus found (during activity 1) would ensure vast majority of those (out of 26 children) has been included in the workshop subgroups (each compound of at least 5<10 children). It is also expected that some of the children would find interest and be motivated for more than 1 workshop (to be assessed during Activity 1 and onward phases) to be involved in. Indirect beneficiaries: experts and support staff in ZZVO, children of same age (friends) in close surrounding, children with potential deviant behaviour enjoying services/benefits from CSW, families, local self government/community, general public, civil sector, Nis town, region, state Future beneficiaries of the project would enjoy the benefits of this project through continuation of creative activities established, enjoying benefits from the results achieved by this project.
2.4.2 Were the beneficiaries involved in the planning and design of the project? If so, how?

At this stage direct beneficiaries couldnt be involved in project planning and design since majority of those were absent (summer holiday). Their needs have been identified indirectly by their supervisors, ZZVOs experts team. Nevertheless, their voice would be heard and needs incorporated as per planned Activity 1, throughout the process of implementation and in its final stage (Activity 7). As per beneficiaries contribution, project activities will be remodelled, programme adapted. Auxiliary, children beneficiaries would be involved in real-time evaluation process, additional needs identification, and future programme strategy development. (See activities description, panel discussion objectives). Time distribution and dynamics (planning) of activities implementation will be adapted to their daily schedule and obligations. As mentioned above ZZVOs Manager and experts team (as indirect beneficiaries) contributed greatly in data provision, presentation and interpretation, beneficiaries profile presentation, urgency of certain needs exploring. ZZVO originally provided/produced certain activities as per their plan and programme that couldnt be realized by them. Those activities are in full compliance with findings of NGO and programme proposed.

2.4.3 How and to what extent will the beneficiaries participate in the implementation of the project?

Direct beneficiaries would be directly involved in project implementation through their active participation in interactive & creative workshops, and those are as follows: psychosocial, artistic (painting with different techniques, modeling, sculpturing, experimental artistic techniques implementation and areas their use exploring, participating in theatre of movement performance), sport and recreation (participating in competitions, excursions, tours, etc), participating to the decoration of club enterer, placing of small equipment and props as appropriate. In line with, please note that their participation (as mentioned earlier) includes their active involvement in all stages of the process. Indirect beneficiaries ZZVOs experts team will actively contribute to psychosocial workshop (design and implementation) mainly. In addition, as endurance to the process and assurance to the successful results achievements, they will provide assistance where needed and monitor other workshops4 implementation occasionally. Please note that work with this target group is considered as delicate and sensitive, it also requires ZZVOs experts team monitoring.

2.4.4 When the project has been completed, what will their future participation be?

Following ending of the project activities (see Activity 7) , beneficiaries will be interviewed concerning projects results and further needs identification, basis for near future programming. They are expected to make selection of the most successful activity modalities for ZZVO to apply. Club for youth premises and appropriate activities will be maintained, lessons learned implemented. Products of workshops will be used for the purpose of fostering relocation of beneficiaries from institution to the community. Exhibitions of beneficiaries works, auction, media presentation of the project process and results will be used for the purpose, which is expected to attract attention of the community and authorities, support future fundraising activities and thus expand benefits from the project.

Workshops are designed and would be leaded by experts outsourced by NGO for the purpose