The UPSHIFT program is intended for young people who want to change the world, starting with changes in their environment. Acquiring the new skills and knowledge that are not available in formal education is a major and integral part of the program, which encourages a proactive approach to the solving of unaddressed problems in local communities. This program is being implemented in Serbia for the third time, and it is implemented by the non-profit organization "Razlivalište" in cooperation with UNICEF Serbia.

The program provides mentoring and financial support throughout the project. All those who are interested can report the problem they want to solve on the UNICEF Serbia website (https://www.unicef.org/serbia/da-li-ste-spremni-za-virtuelni-upshift-izazov). The problem should be related to the environment in which those persons come from, whether the problem is ecological, educational, social or other in nature. The best 16 ideas will be given the opportunity to participate in two-day online workshops on July 18 and 19, where they will have the opportunity to develop their solutions. The best 8 teams get financial support in the amount of up to 2, 000 EUR and continue working with a mentor, so that they could implement the ideas they have worked hard on.

Following the first UPSHIFT program that was dedicated to young people in Belgrade, and the second dedicated to young people in Novi Sad, the third UPSHIFT program is open to all young people in southern and eastern Serbia.

All young people aged 13 to 19 are invited to apply via the application form, which is available on

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MIUL8DV5e5RdHy0lXugDPUKJiAA0ky2gZ41C8XB9ZtA/viewform?edit_requested=true . The application deadline is June 28.

One of the main goals of the project is the inclusion of young people from vulnerable groups and those for whom such opportunities are more difficult to access, so that young people belonging to displaced persons, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups are especially encouraged and invited to apply! 

UPSHIFT is a global program organized for the third time in Serbia by the non-profit organization "Razlivalište", in cooperation with UNICEF Serbia, as part of the joint regional program "Dialogue for the Future: Improving Dialogue and Social Cohesion in and between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia", implemented by the UNDP, the UNICEF and the UNESCO, and funded by the UN Peace-Building Fund (UN PBF).

All additional information is available on the “Razlivalište” website  (https://razlivaliste.org/otvoren-upshift-konkurs/).

Source: razlivaliste.org and Coordination Body