The Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, within the social pillar of the “SDGs for ALL” Platform held roundtable discussions this week in Apatin, Sombor, and Zrenjanin, where social mapping reports for these three municipalities were presented.
The aim of the research was to identify the needs of vulnerable groups in order to improve social services at the local level and contribute to more efficient planning of social protection and the revision of development documents. The mapping was conducted between March and September 2024 in five municipalities. Earlier this year, the same reports were presented in Nova Varoš and Arilje.

Participants at the events included representatives of local self-government units, social work centers, the National Employment Service, pensioners’ associations, and civil society organizations providing services to vulnerable groups.

In all three municipalities, research samples included 130 individuals each, consisting of children with developmental disabilities and adults with disabilities. In Sombor, the sample also included elderly people without disabilities.

In Zrenjanin, 96.6% of children with developmental disabilities are included in the education system, with the majority attending regular schools. Only a smaller number are enrolled in special schools or specialized departments. All fathers are employed (95.4% on permanent contracts), while 86.2% of mothers are employed (90.4% on permanent contracts), and 13.9% are inactive due to family reasons. In 93.8% of cases, the mother is the primary caregiver, with fathers providing additional support. No one reported receiving support from friends, relatives, the community, or NGOs. Parents generally do not perceive instances of discrimination and report that their children have not been denied access to education, healthcare, or social life.

Among adults with disabilities in Zrenjanin, half are employed, mostly on permanent contracts, 34.8% are out of the labor force, and 10.6% are unemployed. Half of the respondents do not need help with daily activities, while those who do mostly rely on spouses, family, or children. No one mentioned support from friends, the community, or NGOs, indicating a need for developing support services for people with disabilities.

The research in Sombor showed that all children with developmental disabilities need some form of daily assistance, with mothers being the main source of support, complemented by help from other family members. This results in 75.5% of mothers being inactive in the job market as they dedicate all their time to childcare. A concerning finding is that children with disabilities rely almost exclusively on family, with minimal community support. All respondents reported at least one housing quality issue (such as dampness, poor insulation, leaking roofs, or poorly lit rooms), and 71.1% consider their neighborhood unsafe. The most commonly lacking supports are free textbooks, pedagogical assistants, and personal attendants.

Among elderly people with disabilities in Sombor, 47.5% are employed, mostly in temporary jobs, and 5% are out of the labor force due to disability. Ninety percent need help with daily activities. Due to low income and heavy reliance on financial aid (97.5%), many resort to survival strategies such as borrowing money (40%), reducing food intake (32.5%), and skipping meals or medical treatments (15%).

Among elderly people without disabilities in Sombor, 70.5% are inactive due to illness or inability to work. Most live on very low pensions of about 12,000 dinars per month. 86.7% need assistance with at least one activity. This group also reports skipping meals and medication or not going to the doctor when needed. Only three respondents can afford to eat meat or fish every other day. Additionally, 28.9% do not regularly pay their bills, and 20% cannot adequately heat their homes.

In Apatin, results show that 92% of children with developmental disabilities need daily assistance with activities like personal hygiene, eating, and mobility. As a result, in nearly all cases, one parent is unemployed. Support is exclusively from the family, with virtually no community assistance. Due to low income, 94% of these families cannot afford regular vacations, 64% cannot cover unexpected expenses, and 42% cannot eat meat every other day. These families most need financial support, family support services, and resources to help children develop independence.

Among adults with disabilities in Apatin, only 29% are employed, 57.5% are unemployed, and 13.5% are unable to work due to the severity of their disability or other reasons. Among them, 91.25% cannot cover monthly expenses, and half consider borrowing money a survival strategy. Although most respondents (72.5%) know that discrimination is prohibited and do not feel that their basic rights have been denied because of their disability, 82% have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

The social mapping reports contain concrete recommendations for improving local development plans in line with the 2030 Agenda, which promotes economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
The social mapping methodology enables municipalities to better recognize the needs of specific vulnerable groups and to develop targeted measures and services to address key social challenges.