Since 2008 to March 16th, 3026, the Centre LIVING UPRIGHT, founded in 2002, has been providing personal assistance services, for which it has held a license from the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs since June 2014. The Centre initiated the launch of the personal assistance service in Novi Sad and its mainstreaming into the Decisions on Social Protection of the City of Novi Sad and the Municipality of Bačka Palanka. Additionally, as a result of the Centre’s advocacy, the City of Novi Sad has been the only one in Serbia since June 2021 to specifically co-finance the optimal level of personal assistance services, including all-day support. However, it still does not cover the full amount of support needed by those requiring simultaneous assistance from 2 persons for transfer. It doesn’t fund any other labour-related cost, except for the delivered service per hour.
The personal assistance service, along with accessibility, peer support, decision-making support, and sign language interpretation, is a prerequisite for independent living for disabled persons who need it. It also includes the physical support of another person for all life activities and needs that a person cannot do alone. With assistance, the person who uses it independently makes decisions about everything that concerns them and functions independently in all life situations.
Since March 2010, the Centre has been providing peer support to anyone who asks. One of these two types of support for independent living has been used by more than 350 persons to date. Three people use the assistance organised by the Centre, with 2 of them receiving decision-making support.
In Novi Sad, from 2009 to 2019, during the project phase, the City approved fewer grant funds than were necessary to cover the costs of organising the personal assistance service, which was compensated by donations. This resulted in the accounts being blocked, and the amounts of RSD 5,228,700 (~EUR 44,673.02) for contributions and RSD 42,146 (EUR 360.08) for the monthly fee to maintain the blocked bank accounts from May 2023 to March 2026 urgently need to be covered by donations.
From 2017 to 2022, the Centre organised a PA service, including raising funds for it, to support 5 persons who lacked the right to its financing, whether temporarily or permanently, but needed it.
Meanwhile, the campaign focused on raising funds to eliminate the tax debt and cover expenses from May to December 2023, with donations totaling RSD 2,366,432.39 (EUR 20,261.31). The amount of RSD 1,661.135.68 (EUR 14.194,52) has been donated so far to reduce the blocked amount.
During this period, 1,196 individuals and 34 legal entities donated, and 7 legal entities organized actions to support the Centre’s work, raising 82.6% of the funds collected during the campaign. One of them (Uncut Creations) both donated and organised fundraising actions.
All other funds, except donations and humanitarian aid, are subject to blocking. The Centre cannot organise a personal assistance service with city and municipal funds until its accountants are unblocked and it applies for the new 6-year licence to provide it. The previous one expired on March 16th, 2026.
Donations can be made online through the campaign page or by payments in RSD to the Centre’s basic bank account 340-5350-79, from which the debt under blockade is being directly collected, or in other currencies, following these instructions:
ERSTE BANK A.D. NOVI SAD
NAME: CENTAR ZIVETI USPRAVNO
ADDRESS: TRG SLOBODE 3, NOVI SAD
Annex
EXCERPT FROM THE MANUAL HOW TO SUPPORT FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN ON DONACIJE.RS BY THE CATALYST BALKANS
- On the campaign page, press DONIRAJ (DONATE), then choose the amount of donation (izaberite iznos donacije) and currency (field in the right upper corner)
- Then you can choose to support the platform Donacije.rs (PODRŠKA PLATFORMI), since it operates without fees or commissions, ranging from 0 to 30% of the donated amount, or write the amount in the chosen currency (Drugi iznos za podršku platformi) in the field below. Then click on DALJE (CONTINUE)
- In the next fields, write your data: Name (Ime), Last name (Prezime), Address, Phone No. (Broj telefona), Country (Država), City (Grad) or Anonymous Donation (Anonimna donacija, click Da (Yes) or Ne (No).
- Check Slažem se s uslovima korišćenja (I agree with the terms of use). Then click on DALJE (CONTINUE)
- Choose Plati (Pay) or Odustani (Cansel)
- Merchant: Broj kartice (Card Number – no spaces), Datum isteka kartice (Card expiry date – month/year), CVC2/ CVV2 Code, Transaction Description (Opis transakcije), Transaction Amount (Iznos transakcije)
You may find more information in the brochure (Word or PDF).
On December 3rd, 2024, the Uncut Creation started the online sale of several product lines that promote and support human rights and rights of animals within the Centre Living Upright Support Corner – CLUshop Shop | Redbubble. from the EU, UK, and the U.S., and in Prodavnica – Kutak za podršku Centru „Živeti uspravno“ from Serbia. The products in the CLU support corner can be purchased from the EU, Great Britain, and the USA. This week, the CLU support corner will also be on the web page Brendly.rs, and the products will also be available in Serbia. Profits will be donated to the Centre to cover the items that haven’t been covered by public funds. Also, you may follow the Living Upright Support Corner (@living.upright.corner) • Instagram photos and videos and Living Upright Support Corner | Facebook
The data on the donated/needed amounts in this article are being regularly updated