53rd SCTM General Assembly – Donation of Children’s Toys to 50 Local Self-Governments

The ceremony for the donation of children’s toys to local self-governments was held on 18 November 2025, as part of the 53rd General Assembly of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM). The donation is part of the project “Children’s Rights in Local Self-Governments”, implemented by UNICEF and SCTM.

The donation of children’s toys was presented to representatives of 50 local self-governments and includes 10,000 toys provided by UNICEF and the Stiftung Kinderförderung von Playmobil, aiming to create more opportunities for early childhood development and learning through play, especially for children from vulnerable social groups.

Goran Cvetanović, President of SCTM and Mayor of Leskovac, on this occasion recalled the long-standing cooperation between UNICEF and SCTM in implementing projects dedicated to supporting parenting and early childhood development.

"I would like to express my deep gratitude to UNICEF, which has recognized SCTM as an important partner in implementing local initiatives and numerous projects that have achieved excellent results. Our joint project, ‘Playful Parenting,’ has even received recognition from UNICEF’s Central Office in New York as an example of good practice for the whole of Europe and Central Asia," said Cvetanović. He emphasized that SCTM has directly cooperated with municipalities working to strengthen collaboration among institutions most responsible for early childhood – local self-governments, preschools, health centers, social welfare centers, and civil society organizations.

Jelena Zajeganović Jakovljević, Head of UNICEF Serbia’s Health and Early Childhood Development Program, pointed out that joint efforts over the past five years have led to significant results in improving services for the youngest in local communities.

"More than 50 municipalities have introduced targeted measures for early childhood development – from parenting support and early learning to early childhood interventions. It is particularly important that, by investing their own resources, you have ensured that the results are sustained and can expand," Zajeganović Jakovljević emphasized.

"Evidence-based planning and budgeting are key to effective results for children. It is crucial to place the most vulnerable children and their families at the center of our attention, including children with developmental difficulties, children exposed to poverty, and Roma populations. Ensuring parenting support and access to preschool education, as well as coordination among health, preschool education, and social protection sectors, remain optimal ways for every child to have equal opportunities for the best start in life," she added.

The local self-governments that received the donation are: Ada, Aleksinac, Babušnica, Bačka Palanka, Bački Petrovac, Bela Palanka, Boljevac, Bor, Valjevo, Veliko Gradište, Vladimirci, Vranje, Vrnjačka Banja, Vršac, Žabalj, Zemun, Zrenjanin, Ivanjica, Inđija, Jagodina, Kanjiža, Kikinda, Knić, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Kruševac, Leskovac, Loznica, Majdanpek, Mali Zvornik, Mionica, Niš, Nova Varoš, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad, Palilula-Beograd, Pirot, Prijepolje, Ražanj, Raška, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Sjenica, Stara Pazova, Temerin, Titel, Ćuprija, Užice, Čačak, and Šabac.

The “Children’s Rights in Local Self-Governments” project aims to create a favorable environment for local authorities to provide services effectively, align local development with sustainable development goals, and ensure sustainable progress in child protection, education, health, and climate resilience. This project is implemented in partnership between UNICEF and SCTM, built on a shared vision of improving children’s well-being across Serbia. Both organizations are committed to supporting local self-governments in overcoming challenges and building capacities to fulfill children’s rights.