Nova Vizija (or New Vision) supports the development of local communities in Sandzak through the implementation of projects that incorporate all social groups, regardless of nationality, religion, gender or social status.
Founded in 2001, Nova Vizija is a member of the South East European Child Rights Action Network (SEECRAN), a network of non-governmental organisations, agencies, institutions and individuals promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the South-East European region, and the NGO/UNICEF Regional Network for Children in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States (RNC), a network of NGOs dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights and child welfare.
Prijepolje Youth Club – Youth Info Centre
In co-operation with UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund), Nova Vizija has implemented a variety of activities focusing on young people. Having initiated the establishment of a Coalition of Youth Activists from Prijepolje, Nova Vizija organised seminars on advocacy techniques in order to strengthen the capacity of young people to engage in civic activism. IT training was also provided, allowing young people to prepare, print and distribute newsletters providing information relevant to citizens in both rural and urban settings.
Roma Education
Nova Vizija has supported research into the education problems facing Roma settlements in Prijepolje and used radio shows to focus attention on the challenges faced by the Roma community in Sandzak. Nova Vizija initiated a public campaign and a series of round-tables on improving conditions for the Roma community in Prijepolje.
Student Exchanges
Nova Vizija has assisted the Serbia Youth Leadership Program, which supports the development of democracy and citizen activism in Serbia by providing young people (aged 15-17) and adults (teachers or community members who work with young people) with an opportunity to participate in projects focused on civic education, leadership, conflict resolution, and community activism. The four-week, US-based projects include workshops, hands-on community service activities, site visits with community organisations, and discussion groups.
Youth Enterprise
Nova Vizija implemented a project called 'Youth Plus Program – Prijepolje', which aims to empower young people from the Prijepolje municipality, in order to facilitate employment through education. Implemented in conjunction with the National Employment Service and the Centre for Social Welfare in Prijepolje, the project gave young people the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and how to start their own businesses. The long-term aim of this initiative is to stimulate the development of small- and medium-enterprises in the municipality, which faces high levels of unemployment.
Development of the Tourism Sector in Sandzak
Nova Vizija, in conjunction with the European Agency for Reconstruction, is currently implementing a project designed to develop the tourist potential of four municipalities in Sandzak – Prijepolje, Nova Varos, Priboj and Sjenica. The project, which involves rural and rural tourism development experts, will help to promote sites of natural beauty, and historical and culture heritage, and to strengthen the human resource capacity of those working within the tourism sector. The overall goal of this initiative is to improve strategic planning and sustainable development in Sandzak.
