The Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, within the social pillar of the "Sustainable Development for All" Platform, organized round tables in Nova Varoš and Arilje this week, where social mapping reports for these two municipalities were presented. The aim of the research was to identify the needs of vulnerable groups to improve social services at the local level and contribute to social protection planning and the revision of development documents. The mapping was conducted from March to September 2024.
The events gathered representatives of local government units, social welfare centres, the National Employment Service, pensioners' associations, and civil society organizations that provide services to vulnerable groups. Similar social mapping was also carried out in Zrenjanin, as well as in the municipalities of Apatin and Sombor.
The research in Nova Varoš covered 130 individuals, including 65 single parents and 65 elderly persons from both urban and rural areas. In Arilje, 125 individuals participated, including 90 single parents and 35 parents of children with developmental disabilities.
The results highlighted that single parents face poor living conditions and a lack of employment opportunities, while elderly individuals often struggle with low incomes and insufficient support for long-term care. Children with developmental disabilities have access to basic healthcare services, but specialist examinations and developmental counselling centres remain unavailable to most of them.
The social mapping reports include specific recommendations for improving local development plans, aligning with the Agenda 2030, which promotes economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
The social mapping methodology enables municipalities to better identify the needs of specific vulnerable groups and develop targeted measures and services to address key social challenges.