As part of the "Strengthening Access to Healthcare, Participation, and Social Equality in the Western Balkans (SHAPE)" project, an online meeting was held on April 1st with the organizations that will implement the project during 2025 and 2026. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Health, Social Protection, and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Austria and the Austrian Red Cross, and focuses on improving healthcare, social equality, and community participation, with a special emphasis on supporting older adults. The project aims to address the socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable groups, particularly older people, in the Western Balkans region.

The meeting was opened by Natasa Todorović and Dr. Milutin Vračević from the Serbian Red Cross, who presented the main objectives of the project, emphasizing how SHAPE strives to improve the living conditions of older adults by providing additional services.  The project will be implemented in Niš, Sombor, Zaječar, Belgrade, Velika Plana, Inđija, Novi Sad, and Pirot.

Before the activities began, a study on the status of older people was conducted, and Tijana Veljković, who presented the results of the research carried out by SeConS, shared key findings on the needs for long-term care. The research covered 600 respondents aged 65 and older and showed that 76% of respondents have significant difficulties performing daily activities without assistance, which creates additional burdens on their household budgets. These results highlight the need for further funding from local governments and donors to ensure the sustainability of long-term care services.

Niš, Sombor, and Zaječar will develop three types of activities:

• Home Visits: Professionals and volunteers assist with hygiene, meals, and household chores.
• Day Centers: Red Cross staff provide psychosocial support three times a week.
• Caregiver Support: Workshops every two weeks, manuals, and telephone counseling.

One of the key goals of the SHAPE project is to establish information lines for older people, which will be available in Belgrade, Velika Plana, Inđija, Novi Sad, and Pirot. These lines will help older adults more easily access their rights through complex social and healthcare systems. The project aims to ensure easier access to information and services, as well as support for older people who often live alone and lack family assistance.

The meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration with local governments in the listed municipalities to ensure the sustainability of the new services and alignment with community needs. It also highlighted the importance of regular meetings with decision-makers and key partners to improve the effectiveness of services and ensure long-term support.

Next Steps and Further Plans:

• Training for volunteers, experts, and staff will be organized after the fourth month of implementation to ensure quality support for older adults.
• Coordination with the municipalities of Niš, Sombor, Zaječar, Belgrade, Velika Plana, Inđija, Novi Sad, and Pirot will be crucial for the successful implementation of activities.
• Additional research and evaluations will be conducted to assess the long-term impact on the economic and psychological well-being of families with elderly members.

The SHAPE project represents an important step towards improving the quality of life for older adults, with the goal of increasing access to necessary services, improving healthcare, and ensuring equality for all older people in Serbia. In addition to Serbia, this project is also being implemented in Albania and North Macedonia.