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From January 2024 to December 2025, the Academic Inclusive Association (AIA) is implementing the “Core Grant” supported within the SMART Balkans project.
The most significant impact of the project lies in internal program development. During these two years, AIA’s activities are focused on connecting young people with disabilities and encouraging their activism, particularly at the local level. Additionally, the project aims to create social impact through the implementation of at least four public advocacy campaigns, resulting in no fewer than six successful interventions in the strategic, normative, and institutional frameworks of inclusive policies in Serbia. The project contributes to the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, grounded in inclusive policies and empowered individuals, institutions, and organizations.
It seeks to provide support for achieving equality and preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the areas of education and employment.
It also aims to improve internal capacities, the service provision framework, and a supportive environment for the development of the organization.
Expected results of the project include:
Enhanced capacities of persons with disabilities for self-advocacy and social activism.
Strengthened capacities of political parties and employers to apply inclusive policy standards in practice.
Improved integration of inclusive policies into specific public policies of particular interest to persons with disabilities.
Continuous support ensured for persons with disabilities in higher education and employment.
Development of long-term training programs.
AIA’s educational programs accredited by relevant institutions.
AIA staff have improved skills in advocacy, negotiation, and participation in working groups for drafting regulations, as well as participation in temporary and permanent working bodies.
Improved internal strategic framework for the organization’s operations.
The project activities are realised in Belgrade.
This project is supported by the SMART Balkans initiative, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and implemented by a consortium of organizations: the Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD) from Bosnia and Herzegovina as the lead applicant, in partnership with the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) from North Macedonia and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) from Albania.
The project “Media Awareness and Equality for Persons with Disabilities” is being realised from June 2024 to July 2025.
The project’s main impacts include reshaping public perception and improving the media portrayal of persons with disabilities. Through engaging in content creation, reporting on current topics, and promoting positive examples of best practices in supporting the rights of persons with disabilities, the media inform and educate the public about persons with disabilities as equal and active members of society. The project empowers media professionals and young people with disabilities—especially in rural areas—by strengthening their media awareness and communication skills through capacity-building trainings. It also enhances the capacities of local civil society organisations to represent persons with disabilities affirmatively in their work.
Key project results include:
Media outlets and young people with disabilities have increased competence to promote the importance of support and the active role of persons with disabilities in society.
A social media campaign featuring young people with disabilities has been successfully implemented.
12 participants from local media and civil society organisations have been empowered to recognize accurate representation of persons with disabilities and their rights in media coverage.
12 young persons with disabilities have gained skills in public speaking and socially proactive media representation.
A handbook with guidelines for appropriate approaches in working with persons with disabilities has been created for media professionals.
10 video spots have been produced, communicating recommendations for journalists and civil society organisations, and conveying to a wider audience the message of active participation of persons with disabilities—especially youth—in society, the importance of support services, and respectful treatment.
The project activities are realised in Belgrade and Bečej.
The project partner is INFO-NB (Web Info from Novi Bečej).
The project is supported by Novi Sad School of Journalism, which, with EU support, implements the project “Our Media: Initiative for Advancing Media Awareness, Dialogue, and Activism” (Supporting civil society organisations in developing media awareness and media activism) in the Republic of Serbia.
