Open dialogue on social services for persons with disabilities held in Leskovac
An Open dialogue on social services for persons with disabilities was held today in Leskovac, bringing together representatives of local authorities, relevant institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities, social service providers, and other key stakeholders. The event aimed to assess the current state of social services, identify key challenges and needs, and formulate recommendations for improving support systems within the local community. During the dialogue, participants discussed the availability of existing social services, the needs of persons with disabilities and their families, the role of institutions and service providers, and the importance of cross-sector cooperation in creating sustainable and inclusive solutions. Special attention was given to sharing practical experiences and identifying concrete opportunities for developing new services that respond to the needs of the community. The Open Dialogue is one of the activities aimed at strengthening local capacities for the inclusion of persons with disabilities and improving their position through the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders. The conclusions and recommendations gathered during the discussion will serve as a basis for future advocacy efforts and the development of local policies that promote greater accessibility, equality, and social inclusion. The event was organized by the Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC) with the support of Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), within the project “EMPOWERED – Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Regional Cooperation and Development in the Western Balkans.” The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is implemented across six Western Balkan countries with the goal of advancing the rights, inclusion, and active participation of persons with disabilities in society. Through initiatives such as this, we continue to build partnerships, foster dialogue, and jointly create communities where the needs of persons with disabilities are recognized and where quality support is accessible to everyone who needs it. ♿🤝