The problem that Serbia have for decades is that education reforms are not being implemented in practice. Formal education is passive and mostly not applicable. On the other hand, employers increasingly require rich CVs, highly educated and trained staff. The problem is that formal education is static and non-formal still isn’t valued enough in some companies, because it is not regulated by legislation.

However, in Knjaževac the conditions get better from year to year due to non-governmental organizations and civil associations. Information on courses, seminars, lectures, workshops, various types of training and volunteering are more accessible to all young people. Every year there are many local and international projects which are conducted in order to raise awareness of citizens, mostly young people.

One of the most interesting event is intercultural exchange in Switzerland. Every year few dozens of young people from Knjaževac have the opportunity to go on two-week intercultural exchange in Switzerland. This exchange is organized by the Center for Creative Development in cooperation with the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation. During the event courses, sports events, games, discussion and role plays are used as the basis for participating children to engage with important topics such as discrimination, anti-racism, civil courage and child rights. The children learn to approach foreign cultures in an appropriate way and they become more open-minded and interested.

Moreover, in the non-formal youth center “Omladinsko Ćose”are often organized various training courses, workshops, seminars and voluntary activities. One of the recently completed projects is ‘Digital Inclusion’ project organized by the Timok Club with support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. By participating in the project young people had the opportunity to learn how to use the resources offered by the Internet in the best way or how to start own business.

Non-formal education is slowly entering through ‘the back door" and taking its place in our system of value.

Ivana Milosavljević and Milena Milošević