National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS) is an association of 108 youth and for youth organization, and is the highest independent representative body of youth in Serbia.
KOMS is an advocacy platform which serves for improving of the position of young people and acts as a link between young people, its member organizations and various decision-makers and providers of programs and services for young people (primarily the state and its institutions).
Therefore, KOMS advocates for the improvement of the position of young people in Serbia.
Advocacy is the primary role of KOMS, but KOMS also provides serveces to its member organizations, by organizing capacity building activities for both the member organizations and the youth active within them. In addition, KOMS’ network of member orgnizations helps them strengthen the mutual ties and work together.
KOMS is an advocacy platform that represents the interests of young people, ensures their active participation and develops systemic solutions in order to improve the position of young people through the development of strategic partnerships, intersectoral and international cooperation, as well as by strengthening the capacities of member organizations and other youth policy actors.
A stimulating environment in which young people represent their interests and actively participate in the development of society.
The process of KOMS’ forming is based on the experiences of previous initiatives of formation of national youth council, the results of numerous analyzes and researches, the needs of organizations in Serbia, as well as the current socio-political context. Without going into the definition of activities and goals, this platform does not intend to define the program aspects of KOMS activities, but rather the way in which the activities will be implemented.
As National Youth Council of Serbia consists of a large number of organizations that differ significantly in structure and program activities, this Platform aims to:
The design and implementation of the activities of National Youth Council of Serbia will be based on an approach based on human rights, and special attention will be paid to the multi-layered identity of young people, and adequate recognition and advocacy for their rights and needs.
Working simultaneously to strengthen organizations’ capacities, build relationships with institutions, improve public policies and recognize the importance of youth organization, the basic tenets of the National Youth Council of Serbia include civil society development, raising public awareness, advocacy for equal treatment in education and health, youth political participation, economic empowerment and solidarity, the right to self-definig and self-identification, the right to bodily integrity, the fight against sexual and economic exploitation of young people, environmental awareness, and the values of non-violence, anti-racism and anti-fascism. In short, the work of National Youth Council of Serbia will be based on the commitment to respect and affirmation of all human rights and freedoms.
KOMS values and principles
The activities of National Youth Council of Serbia are based on the common values and principles of its members, while concurrently building understanding and respect for diversity among member organizations.
In order to ensure its quality performance National Youth Council of Serbia and its members are committed to: