The level of youth activism: Case study of the city of Belgrade

Abstract

During the period from 2007 to 2014, and in addition to huge institutional changes, large steps were taken in the field of youth policy in the Republic of Serbia in order to create national resources which would have influence on the improvement of the youth status and life. On the other hand, the practice shows that the existence of the national framework for youth support, as a local service network intended for youths, is not a crucial prerequisite to change the current situation when it comes to improving the quality of life of young people, but that the existence of the critical level of youth activism is a key driving force that leads to changes. This paper presents an overview of the level of youth activism in the city of Belgrade. The results show that young people accept a proactive attitude to life when it comes to their personal or family problems and issues whilst the engagement in the social field and especially a political one are not seen as a preferable type of behaviour.