Serbian municipalities expand support for children with disabilities

Municipalities in Serbia are expanding and formalizing support services for children with disabilities through the use of personal assistants.

In Sremska Mitrovica, personal assistants for children will transition to formal employment starting September 1. This change provides workers with increased monthly earnings, estimated at approximately 72,000 dinars, and grants them legal rights such as sick leave and annual paid vacation. Mayor Branislav Nedimović confirmed that assistants will no longer work under temporary contracts but will be officially employed. The city also plans to increase the number of assistants to meet growing demand.

In Prokuplje, the city has allocated nearly 9.8 million dinars to provide personal assistance services for 20 children with disabilities or developmental delays through the end of the year. These assistants will support children in daily activities—including hygiene, feeding, and mobility—as well as during their integration into kindergartens and schools. The service includes between 20 and 40 hours of assistance per week, depending on the specific needs of the child.