20. septembar 2008.

Training Course on Writing Project Proposals and Project Management, for Youth NGOs

"Hajde da..." Group, in cooperation with NGO "Protecta" from Nis, and Center for Youth Work from Novi Sad, has organized bi-modular training courses for activists of youth NGOs in Nis, Novi Sad and Mataruska Banja.

These trainings were attended by youth workers from Trstenik, Gornji Milanovac, Nis, Sabac, Leskovac, Gnjilane. Ruma, Novi Sad, Senta, Ada, etc. During the fisrt module trainers from "Hajde da…" Group made sure that participants set the good goals for their future projects.

This was followed up by the second part of the course, which focused on project management. Participants had chance to enhance their knowledge on this topic and get whole variety of useful information in regard with it. When all participants complete the whole course, they will submit their project proposals to Ministry of Education and Sports of Republic of Serbia.

This project is financially supported by Ministry of Education and Sports of Republic of Serbia.

July 18th, 2008.

On July 17th, 2008, "Hajde da..." Group has organized the launching event for the "Organizing and Realizing Capacity Building Activities for Youth NGOs" project. This press conference was organized in cooperation with NGO "Protekta" from Nis and Centre for Youth Work from Novi Sad, and was financially supported by Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Serbia. It took place in Belgrade Media Centre, and was attended by Ms. Snezana Klasnja on behalf of Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ms. Suzana Krstic from "Hajde da..." Group, as well as representatives of youth NGOs and media.

The aforementioned project aims to empower representatives of youth NGOs and build their capacities to manage projects, in order to secure better implementation of National Youth Strategy on local level. Final goal is to motivate youngsters to undertake actions that would improve their and their peer’s situation in Serbia.

"Organizing and Realizing Capacity Building Activities for Youth NGOs" project targets primarily youth NGOs all over Serbia, that want to gain new knowledge in project proposal writing and managing their own projects for young people in their local communities. The first phase of the project concerns trainings in project management cycle, meant for representatives of youth NGOs; this is to be followed by them submitting proposals to Ministry of Youth and Sports. In the project implementation phase, those organizations whose proposals happen to be granted, will have continuous support by more experienced organizations.

The task of supervising and supporting youth NGOs’ projects in the realization phase is to be divided on the regional principle – between "Hajde da..." Group and its partner organizations: NGO "Protekta" from Nis and Centre for Youth Work from Novi Sad. All the training courses will be delivered by trainers from "Hajde da…" Group’s Pool of Trainers, who have great experience in this field (both in education and the very practice). Partner organizations, being located in Vojvodina i.e. Southern Serbia, will act as mentors to the organizations from their respective regions, during the project implementation phase.

July 18th, 2008.

On the occasion of the EXIT Festival and the stand that Contact Point for the EU’s Youth In Action Programme had over there, "Hajde da..." Group has translated bulletin "Paths To International Cooperation in the Youth Field". This publication has 16 pages and briefly introduces opportunities that the Youth In Action Programme brings to Serbian youth, presenting examples of good practices, too.

Along with this bulletin, "Hajde da..." Group has published a leaflet, containing basic information on EU’s Youth In Action Programme.

You could’ve got both of these publications on Contact Point’s stand at the EXIT Festival, whilst you can download their electronic versions here:

Bulletin Download - PDF (8,5 MB)	Leaflet Download - PDF (600 KB)

Translations and printing supported by:

July 8th, 2008.

"Hajde da..." Group has been accredited to act as a Contact Point for EU’s Youth In Action Programme

In August 2005, SALTO-YOUTH SEE Resource Centre together with European Commission, has officially accredited "Hajde da..." Group to act as one of Contact Points for YOUTH Programme, in Serbia. Being that, "Hajde da..." Group’s role was to increase visibility and availability of the Programme to all youngsters and youth NGOs in our country. Thus, we have been consulting, informing, training numerous organizations in Serbia, as well as promoting the Programme all over our country. Our estimation is that around 1000 youngsters and representatives of youth NGOs form our country were reached by our activities in this field.

In March 2008, "Hajde da..." Group was re-elected to be the Contact Point, this time for EU’s new Youth In Action Programme.

July 7th, 2008.

May, 2008 Within the project entitled "Serbia in EU – What do I get out of it", realized by Fund for Open Society, Mr. Srdjan Mitrovic – as a coordinator of the Contact Point – has given the two presentations to youngsters in Zajecar and Leskovac. The presentations tackled Youth In Action Programme, and the ways young people from Serbia can use it for non-formal education, travelling, personal and professional development, and intercultural learning. During panel discussion that followed the presentations, youngsters rose questions on Programme criteria, financial conditions, visa issues, as well as possibilities to get further information on Youth In Action.
May, 2008 Contact Point and Belgrade University Centre for Career Development have jointly organized a presentation on "How Can Students’ Associations Benefit From the EU’s Youth In Action Programme". Representatives of students’ and youth organizations were introduced with: - What is Youth In Action Programme and what kind of projects does it support? - What are criteria and deadlines for submitting project proposals within the Programme? - Where and how can you find partner organizations for your project? The presentation took place in University head offices, in Belgrade.
May, 2008 There was a study visit to Belgrade, organized by NGO "Generator" from Vranje, within the "Activator-Accelerator" project. It aimed to give an opportunity to youngsters from south of Serbia to exchange experiences with young activists from Belgrade, learn about other NGOs’ initiatives, as well as projects they realize. This was also an opportunity for them to get information about EU’s Youth in Action Programme, during presentation that was organized in premises of Centre for Culture Stari Grad.

July 1st, 2008.

"Hajde da..." Group – as a Contact Point for EU’s Youth In Action Programme – has signed Memorandum of Understanding with the EU Integration Office of Government of Republic of Serbia.

This document was signed on May 28th, defining cooperation and exchange of information concerning activities related to preparation, adoption and implementation of legal acts and policies in European integrations field. Furthermore, it stays for joint implementation of projects that aim to promote European values and process of European integration itself.

June 27th, 2008.

"Hajde da..." Group, in cooperation with artists in the field of contemporary dance, as well as associations of people with disabilities, initiates the unique dancing project.

Title of the project – Body Frame – came out from the idea of reconsidering our perception of our own body, through creative movement and artistic dance. The project comprises three cycles of creative workshops, that are to happen during summertime; on these sessions, we are to explore contemporary dance together, as well as various possibilities to express ourselves through movement and dancing.

The final goal is not to learn a choreography, but to create a dance through the group work process. Contemporary theatre and dance are not pre-determined by certain forms and given elements (as it is the case with standard dances or classical ballet). That is why participating in this kind of projects is a space for self-discovering, learning about you yourself and the others, exploring your boundaries and moving barriers that inhibit us. The only condition is to be honest, involved, persistent and love everything that both moves and speaks!

The workshops are primarily meant for contemporary dancers and people with disabilities. After this project phase is over, participants will – together with choreographers – decide who amongst them will continue creating a professional dancing performance.

Workshops will take place at:

• Workshops for wheel-chair users, choreographers and dancers – July 14th-21st. Deadline for sending applications: July 11th.

Download:
- Application form for wheel-chair users >>
- Additional information on the project >>

• Workshops for the blind and people with visual disabilities, choreographers and dancers – July 24th-31st. Deadline for sending applications: July 19th.

Download:
- Application form for the blind and people with visual disabilities >>
- Additional information on the project >>

• Workshops for the deaf and hard-of-hearing-persons, choreographers and dancers – August 16th-23rd. Deadline for sending applications: August 10th.

Download:
- Application form for the deaf and hard-of-hearing-persons >>
- Additional information on the project >>

Persons who want to apply, can do so by filling in the Application form and send it to hajdeda@eunet.yu or to: Grupa "Hajde da...", Knez Danilova 12, 11000 Beograd. It is important that your Application form reaches us before the given deadline (see above). Number of participants per group is limited!

Workshops will be facilitated by Ms. Gesel Mason, a choreographer from USA, Mr. Boris Caksiran (ERGstatus Dancing Theatre, Serbia) and Ms. Sanja Krmanovic-Tasic (DAH Theatre, Serbia).

The performance will have its premiere by the end of 2008, in Belgrade Dancing Centre. We have also already scheduled our first play as guests in Paracin Theatre.

Should you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contacts us by phone 011 3240 425.

Project was financially supported by:

Secretariat forCulture of City of Belgrade	Pro Helvetia Beograd	HOLCIM Serbia

Support in realisation:

Paracin Theatre	Stanica	Vuk Karadzic   Center For Culture Stari Grad

May, 16th 2008.

Within European Commission's "Youth in Action" Programme, and in cooperation with organizations from 5 other countries, "Hajde da..." group has realized a training course (Action 3.1.) entitled "Europe-New Borders - New Challenges".

This training course was meant for youth workers and trainers coming from youth NGOs. It gathered participants from Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

The event took place in Hotel "Norcev", at Fruska Gora mountain, on April 14th-22nd, 2008. During these 8 days, participants had chance to gain knowledge and experience that might help them to prepare and realize their projects within the "Youth in Action" Programme, especially those that tackle issues of interculturalism, stereotypes and prejudices within the region. Moreover, this was an outstanding opportunity for sharing good practices, contact making and networking. Experiences gained through this project might be useful for EVS mentors and volunteers, as well as for managers and coordinators, for implementing their future projects within the "Youth in Action" Programme.

May, 16th 2008.

"Hajde da..." Group, supported by Youth Office of Municipality of Pancevo, will organize a bi-modular strategic planning session, that will be attended by all staff members of this Youth Office, as well as all the activists who are directly or indirectly involved in its work.

This training aims to empower Youth Office staff, as well as representatives of stakeholder groups that are relevant for its further development and day-to-day work, and who can contribute to creation of the Youth Office's strategic document for the next three years.

The first part of the training will take place in June, with the main purpose to develop the strategic plan. The second module is to happen in September, aiming to enhance participants' competences that all of them perceive as necessary for successful implementation of the strategic plan in the next three years (team building, communication skills, etc.).

This training is going to happen within the project entitled "Youth Offices - Pillars of Active Citizenship and Youth Participation", realized by "Hajde da..." Group in cooperation with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Serbia, and Municipality of Pancevo. It is financially supported by Olof Palme International Center and SIDA.

April, 22nd 2008.

"Hajde da…" Group, together with Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Serbia, has organized a Seminar on "Models of Establishing a Youth Office". The Seminar took place on April 21st, 2008, in Ministry of Youth and Sports premises.
This Seminar is a part of the first phase of project entitled "Youth Offices – Pillars of Active Citizenship and Youth Participation" that was financially supported by Olof Palme International Centre and SIDA.
Main purpose of this project is developing a model of a local youth office that will – in an institutional and sustainable way – support active citizenship and implementation of National Youth Policy, on local level. Thus, young people will be empowered to take an active role in development of their local communities, and, at the same time, local authorities will be encouraged to be open and responsive to needs, problems and ideas of the young.

An introductory speech to the Seminar "Models of Establishing a Youth Office" was given by Ms. Ivana Kovacevic, Assistant to Minister of Youth and Sports. Other speakers, who have also contributed with their inputs, were:
• Mr. Aleksandar Jovanovic, member of Youth Council within Council of Europe
• Mr. Duncan Dunlop, MA in Community Youth Work
• Ms. Ivana Vujic, on behalf of Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Mr. Nenad Maletin, Coordinator of Youth Office in Pancevo
• Mr. Srdjan Mitrovic, Coordinator of Contact Point for European Commission’s "Youth in Action" Programme in Serbia

Seminar was attended by representatives of all stakeholder groups (Ministry of Youth and Sports, local governments, youth offices, CSOs, youngsters, youth policy experts). They jointly tried to develop model of a youth office and list out recommendations on what kind of model would be the most adequate for Serbia.
These recommendations, as well as the other outputs from this Seminar, will be used to create a publication, that will be distributed to municipalities across Serbia.

Project is financially supported by Olof Palme International Centre and SIDA.

March, 18th 2008.

Financially supported by OEBS Mission to Serbia, «Hajde da...» Group has started, in February 2008, a new round of teacher trainings for the «Alphabet of Tolerance» Program. It is now implemented in the four regions:
*Municipality of Bujanovac (primary schools «Branko Radicevic» and «Muharem Kadriu»),
*Municipality of Vranje (primary schools «Vuk Karadžic» and «Radoje Domanovic»),
*Municipality of Alibunar (primary schools «2. oktobar», «Bratstvo i jedinstvo» and «1. maj»), and *Municipality of Bosilegrad (primary school «Georgi Dimitrov»).

The trainings will last until the end of March, and will be followed by teachers running workshops with children. The manual that was developed within this Program has so far been translated into Romanian, Bulgarian, Albanian and Hungarian language.

At the end of the Program (in June 2008), there will be school actions realized in each of communities, aiming to promote values that underlie this Program: cooperation, mutual tolerance and respecting diversities.

Members of trainers’ team are: Dragana Lalic, Majda Ponjavic, Dragana Babic, Milena Paul, Milijada Živic-Ilic and Nexat Ismaili.

February, 15th 2008.

Within European Commission's Youth in Action Programme, "Hajde da..." Group will organize a training course entitled "EUROPE - New Borders, New Challenges!". The course will be realized in cooperation with organizations from the five partner countries, within the Action 3.1.
The training is meant for youth workers and trainers from youth organizations, and the call is open for participants coming from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

This will be an opportunity for participants to gain knowledge and skills that may help them to prepare and implement projects within the Youth in Action Programme, especially in field of intercultural learning, as well as stereotypes and prejudices that people who live in frontier regions have. Moreover, this project aims to stimulate cross-border cooperation and networking among partners from the targeted regions. Experiences gained through this training course could be useful for EVS mentors, EVS volunteers, as well as those who will be engaged in managing/ coordinating projects within the Youth in Action Programme, in the future.

DATES AND VENUE:
The training will take place in Serbia, on the mountain of Fruska Gora, on April 14th-22nd, 2008.

Deadline for sending applications is March 10th, 2008.

Aplication FORM - DOWNLOAD

Within “Youth in Action 2007” and “To Know To Participate” – projects that “Hajde da…” Group implemented in 2007, with youngsters from Leskovac, Kragujevac, Kraljevo and New Belgrade, there have been realized the four local actions:

• Leskovac in my heart
Youngsters from Leskovac have created a booklet entitled “Leskovac in my heart – Everything you have always wanted to know and had nobody to ask…”, containing the following chapters:
1) History of Leskovac
2) Culture and leisure time activities in Leskovac
3) Sports for all!
4) European youth programs
The booklet has been distributed in schools, faculties, during street actions…
E-version of the booklet can be seen here…

• Mosaic Kraljevo “Wake up, turn on your brain!”
Group of young people from Kraljevo has decided to establish an Info-center for Kraljevo youngsters, a resource place where one could get informed about cultural events in the city, sports and other topics that are important for the young. The center would also aim to promote healthy life and true value system amongst youngsters.
Info-center includes:
- Internet presentation (www.mozaikkraljeva.com) – an interactive web site, aiming to send information to youngsters and/or to receive one from them.
- Info-board – a central city info-spot, for diseminating information and promotional activities

• Kragujevac – URA (Hooray) Group – “Ask youngsters, too”
Youngsters from Kragujevac have promoted an idea of establishing a Youth Office in their town. The action aimed to raise awareness of citizens of Kragujevac about importance of having a city youth office.
They have realized a street action, including distributing of flyers and calendars to young people; promotional materials comprised information on what a youth office is, what would its function be and whay is it important for local community. This event was supported by performance of local DJs, which attracted attention of passangers.

• New Belgrage – ”Kblo” Group - “High-quality Hanging Aroung”
The action aimed to pay attention to the fact that there is no such a place where young people could gather and spend their time in a quality way. Moreover, it was to promote idea of establishing a youth center at New Belgrade.
The event named “High-quality Hanging Aroung” took place on November 24th, 2007, 2:20pm-4pm. Visitors had an opportunity to listen to a demo band from one of New Belgrade high schools, see paintings of the two young artists from New Belgrade (who have also painted portiaits of visitors during the action), watch drawing grafitti, enjoy in an installation made by group of young local architects, have a talk with members of ”Kblo” Group about the promoted idea, write down their own comments on a flip chart, have lots of fun...

February, 10th 2008.

Annual Report - april 2006 - april 2007 - DOWNLOAD (pdf 914 KB)

february 4th, 2008.

Within the Youth in Action Programme of European Commission, "Hajde da..." Group organizes the training course entitled "EUROPE – NEW BORDERS, NEW CHALLENGES!". The training is to be realized within the Action 3.1 of the Programme, and in cooperation with partner organizations from the five other countries.

The course is meant for youth workers and trainers from youth NGOs, and is open for applicants from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

Training will be an opportunity for participants to gain knowledge and skills that can be helpful for them when preparing and realizing their projects within the Youth In Action Programme, especially those that tackle issues of intercultural learning, stereotypes and prejudices in border regions. Moreover, it will foster contact making, cooperation and networking among these regions. Experiences gained during this training can be useful to EVS volunteers and their mentors, as well as managers/ coordinators who manage projects within the Youth In Action Programme.

VENUE AND DATES:
The training will take place at Fruska Gora mountain, on April 14th-22nd, 2008.

DEADLINE for sending application forms is March 10th, 2008.

Further information >>>

Application form >>>

GRUPA "HAJDE DA..." Kneza Danila 12/84 11000 Beograd tel-fax. +381 (0)11 3240 425 www.hajdeda.org.rs

january 29th, 2008.

"Hajde da..." Group has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Municipality of Novi Beograd

At the occasional ceremony in Municipality of Novi Beograd, "Hajde da..." Group has singed Memorandum of Understanding with this Municipality. This Memorandum defines partnership between the Municipality and "Hajde da..." Group, as well as other associations that are active in the area of Municipality of Novi Beograd.

The Memorandum foresees that Municipality of Novi Beograd places at "Hajde da..." Group’s disposal premises of the Youth Office in Milentija Popovica 32 Street, for the period of one year. Moreover, the Municipality promised to cede also some of its premises in the very Municipality building, upon further agreements.

According to its strategic aims and scope of work, "Hajde da..." Group will, during the agreed period of time, organize and realize educational and promotional events (seminars, trainings, workshops, summer schools and camps, campaigns, etc.), that will include also young people from Municipality of Novi Beograd.

January 22nd, 2008.

Project:
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SERVING TO YOUTH ACTIVISM

This project is financially supported by Democracy Commission Small Grants Program, of the US Embassy in Belgrade.