Education Without Barriers: Continued Support for Resource Centers Across Serbia

Vrnjačka Banja, 13 June, 2025 – A two-day meeting was held in Vrnjačka Banja, bringing together representatives of resource centers from across Serbia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and UNICEF, and with the support of the Intesa Foundation philanthropic organization. The goal was to exchange experiences and information on further support for all schools educating children with developmental disabilities.

In addition to planned training on the use of humanoid robots in the educational process, further support for the work of resource centers will also include the procurement of assistive technology, mentoring support, and the promotion of inclusive education by increasing the visibility of these centers' work.

The Intesa Foundation has joined the partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education through financial support for the project "Assistive Technologies for Advancing Quality Inclusive Education for Every Child," which aims to ensure that every child has equal access to quality education supported by assistive technology.

“Inclusive education is a priority area of work for the Ministry, creating learning environments where every child feels accepted, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. More than 20,000 individual educational plans for our students, the availability of assistive technologies to support children’s functioning and learning, along with partnerships like this one, demonstrate our shared commitment to building a more equitable education system for all children in Serbia,” said Professor Dr. Snežana Vuković, Assistant Minister of Education.

Thanks to the project, 6,000 children in 60 mainstream schools across Serbia will gain access to assistive technologies and receive support from resource centers, providing them with the opportunity to participate equally in learning and school life alongside their peers.

“Just over a year ago, Banca Intesa established the Intesa Foundation philanthropic organization with the goal of creating a modern, sustainable, and inclusive society for the future. We recognized support for the education of children and young people as one of the key areas to achieving this, and I am very proud that, through our collaboration with UNICEF, we continue to create equal development opportunities for children in Serbia, while also contributing to the strengthening of the entire education system in our country,” said Marija Savić, Manager of the Intesa Foundation.

Resource centers play a significant role in supporting schools by providing access to assistive technologies, offering expert guidance, and empowering teachers to implement inclusive teaching practices. Assistive technologies help overcome learning barriers and support the inclusion of children in the education system. By strengthening the capacities of these centers, the partnership contributes to enhancing the education system’s ability to meet the diverse needs of students.

“When we provide children with the right support, their potential comes to life. Assistive technologies are tools that can transform the learning experience, enabling every child to participate and thrive. We are proud to continue our collaboration with the Ministry of Education and to have the Intesa Foundation as a valuable new partner in this important mission,” said Tanja Ranković, UNICEF Serbia’s Education Programme Manager.

The partnership will also enable additional training for staff at resource centers, continued support to improve inclusive practices in mainstream schools, and, for the first time, support for the use of humanoid robots in classrooms. Through a national social media campaign, the project will help raise public awareness about the importance of inclusive education and every child's right to learn and progress.

This initiative builds on UNICEF’s long-standing support for the development of inclusive education in Serbia, including the establishment and strengthening of resource centers, the improvement of intersectoral commissions, and the introduction of innovative assistive technologies.