On 31 March 2023, the Protector of Citizens, Zoran Pašalić, and the Secretary General of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Nikola Tarbuk, signed an Agreement on Cooperation with the aim of further improving the position of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable population groups in Serbia.
The signing of the agreement represents the continuation of the cooperation between the institution of the Protector of Citizens and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) on the implementation of a public call for awarding an award for contribution to the development of all forms of accessibility to cities, municipalities and urban municipalities in the Republic of Serbia, established in 2016.
On that occasion, the Protector of Citizens, Zoran Pašalić, pointed out that by implementing a public call, he wants to encourage local self-governments to increase accessibility and remove information and communication barriers in their environment, as well as to promote good practice and exchange experiences at the local level.
Accessibility of spaces and services is very important in creating equal conditions for all our citizens in order for them to exercise their rights, be included in society and contribute to the development of the environment in which they live, and beyond, Pašalić pointed out.
The agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time, and the parties to the agreement will establish an Award Commission, which will review the achieved results and present awards, recognitions, or commendations to the local self-government units that contributed the most to the development of accessibility in their territory, that is, in their surroundings in the previous calendar year.