Center of the Balkans

Center of the Balkans is a youth-focused, non-profit organisation founded in January 2025 in Bela Palanka, a small municipality in southeastern Serbia. Established by a group of young community leaders, the organisation emerged from years of grassroots activism, volunteer initiatives, and a shared commitment to creating better opportunities for local youth. Located in a town with one of the lowest average incomes in Serbia and a rapidly declining young population, the Center of the Balkans was created in response to the lack of educational, cultural, and professional development opportunities available to local young people. Many youth are forced to leave for larger cities due to limited access to youth organisations, international exchanges, volunteer programs, and extracurricular learning. Our organisation aims to counter this trend by offering accessible and meaningful pathways for personal and professional growth directly within the community. Our mission is to empower young people in Bela Palanka and the wider region by connecting them with international mobility programs, non-formal education, local initiatives, and intercultural experiences. We work to reduce social and geographic isolation by bringing global opportunities to our town and promoting active youth participation in social, cultural, and environmental life. Although newly established, the organisation’s core team brings more than a decade of combined experience in youth work, volunteering, and international project participation. Our members have volunteered at major events such as the Nišville Jazz Festival, the World Boxing Championship, the World Indoor Athletics Championship, and the FIFA World Cup 2022. They have also implemented several community projects through Serbia’s national “Šta nam teško” youth program, focusing on environmental protection, civic engagement, outdoor activities, and educational outreach. We organise youth exchanges, cultural programs, and environmental activities; support mobility opportunities under Erasmus+, ESC, and other international frameworks; conduct local projects that promote environmental awareness, social inclusion, and healthy lifestyles; encourage civic participation and strengthen the role of young people in local decision-making; and build partnerships with youth organisations in Serbia and across Europe to foster long-term cooperation. Our work is guided by values such as inclusivity, youth empowerment, community service, and intercultural understanding. We strongly believe that even small initiatives can create lasting impact when driven by motivated young people. By combining local action with international cooperation, the Center of the Balkans strives to transform Bela Palanka into a more vibrant, connected, and opportunity-rich environment for all young people.