 Business  Professional  Interest association

 Since June 2003  Beginning with 19 member Centers;  Today – 153. Serbia-wide (158 with departments)  Financing:  Membership fees (main source of income)  Subsidies, grants: Republic, projects  Trainings, seminars…

 Undefined institutional position of centers for social work  Passive relationship in regard to founder and funding bodies  Absence of defined communication channels  Inadequate and insufficient development of human and technical resources of Centers

Social services improvement and creation of quality life conditions for citizens in need of support

 Networking and articulation of common interests  Human and technical capacities improvement  Collaboration:  Within association  With local governments and competent ministries  With other partners

 Professional trainings  Conferences  Acquiring new skills  Informing public about condition of social services  Participation in social services reform

 Active collaboration with competent Ministry  Very good communication among Centers  Publishing – Voice of Centers (“Глас Центара”) -(41 issues), Proceedings, Social work dictionary,…  Cooperation with partner organizations

 Networking with similar organizations abroad (Slovenian Centers Association; ESN - European social network)  Project participation: “Social policy reform in Serbia”  Collaboration with Social innovation fund  Active relationship with Ministry of Justice  Association is acknowledged Government partner (new Social services law)

 New challenges – new approach  Even more efficient communication and cooperation  Within association  With Government and public services  With NGOs  With profit organizations  Additional improvement of Association capacities

 New regulations about Association, June 2008  Increased number of users categories and number of new services  Increased number of users ( ; )  Decreased number of professional workers ( , , )  New Social services law ( )  Research and analytics  Additional and continuous education

 Association represents true improvement in Centers organizations In the near future Association will:  Link all Centers  Expand collaboration with parent Ministry  Increase cooperation with domestic and foreign NGOs  Develop networking with Centers associations from neighboring countries  Prepare educational program with Ministry

 BETTER PRACTICE IN THE CENTER FOR SOCIAL WORK! Thank you