Day centres operated by local civil society organisations provide vital community-based social protection services for children facing the greatest barriers to their wellbeing and development. To help ensure that some of the most vulnerable children in the region continue receiving the support they need, Save the Children North West Balkans, together with local partner organisations Nova Generacija and Otaharin in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Centre for Youth Integration in Serbia, has launched a new partnership with BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company.
In autumn, 13-year-old Samanta* from Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, will begin an exciting new chapter in her life as she enrols in secondary school. For Samanta*, reaching this milestone is a significant achievement - one made possible through her determination and the support of the community she found at the day centre she has attended throughout her primary school years.
Day centres operated by local civil society organisations provide vital community-based social protection services for children facing the greatest barriers to their wellbeing and development. Recognising their critical role in protecting vulnerable children and facilitating access to essential services, Save the Children North West Balkans (SCNWB) has built strong partnerships with organisations running these centres across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. Through its Safety Nets and Resilient Families thematic area, SCNWB supports these organisations to strengthen service delivery and promote the wellbeing, protection, and inclusion of children and families in vulnerable situations. To help ensure that some of the most vulnerable children in the region continue receiving the support they need, SCNWB, together with local partner organisations Nova Generacija and Otaharin in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the Centre for Youth Integration in Serbia, has launched a new partnership with BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company.
Here, I have someone who listens to me and helps me when things are difficult. I learned to believe in myself, and now I want to finish primary school and enrol in secondary school, says Samanta* (13).
Samanta* comes from a Roma family affected by poverty that has persisted across generations. The day centre the girl attends is operated by Otaharin, a local civil society organisation dedicated to supporting the Roma community in Bijeljina, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and a long-standing partner of Save the Children. "When Samanta first came to the centre, there was a risk that she would drop out of school, as many children from marginalised communities do when they lack adequate support. Her parents, like many adults affected by long-term social exclusion, were unable to complete their own education and have limited literacy skills, making it difficult for them to support their children's learning at home. Her determination to succeed, together with the support she received from the day centre, has enabled her to remain in school and continue her educational journey", says the Otaharin team.
Many of the children attending day centres in the three countries are among the most marginalised in society, living in inadequate housing conditions or informal settlements. Some of them are engaged in, or at risk of, dangerous street work and other forms of exploitation, while girls face an increased risk of child marriage.
Thanks to the new partnership with BingX, children will continue receiving a warm meal daily, have access to hygiene facilities, educational support, psychosocial assistance, as well as legal aid to connect them to other key services, such as healthcare. Professional teams at the centres also work closely with parents to strengthen and support the entire family.
Supporting children when they need it most
The need for these services remains significant across the Western Balkans. According to official data, 13.3% of households and 13.5% of individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina live below the national poverty line, while only 1.9% of the population receives cash assistance. In Serbia, one in five children is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Single-parent families, larger households, Roma families and families living in rural communities are among those facing the greatest challenges across the region.
Poverty, social exclusion and violence against children are often closely interconnected, making comprehensive, long-term support essential for vulnerable children and families. The importance of services that help prevent and respond to violence is reflected in the work of the Blue Phone counselling helpline for children and young people, established by Nova Generacija. Since 2013, its counsellors have responded to more than 72,000 calls and 11,000 online counselling requests and have submitted 380 anonymous reports of suspected violence to the relevant authorities.
Rising living costs and ongoing economic uncertainty across the region risk pushing even more children and families into poverty, further increasing the demand for community-based support services. However, organizations supporting vulnerable children are finding it increasingly difficult to meet growing needs due to limited funding and rising operating costs.
This new partnership allows us to continue strengthening day centres as one of the best community-based services for children and families at risk, as part of our long-standing and very successful partnerships with experienced local organisations, says Nevena Milutinović, Director of Save the Children North West Balkans.
The partnership will also help Save the Children North West Balkans to continue providing humanitarian voucher assistance to refugee and migrant children and their families in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For more than a decade, Save the Children has supported children on the move in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, two key transit countries along the Balkan migration route. Today, Save the Children is the only organisation providing cash vouchers that help refugee and migrant families cover their most basic daily needs. Since the voucher programme began, more than 1,000 children and parents have received assistance, helping to ensure a dignified stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The partnership reflects BingX’s ongoing commitment to creating positive social impact and strengthening communities, complementing its focus on technology and innovation.
Innovation creates its greatest value when it helps address real-world challenges. At BingX, we are committed to fostering a safe and secure future—not only within the digital asset ecosystem, but also within the communities around us. Children are the foundation of tomorrow, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through our partnership with Save the Children, we are proud to help protect the future by supporting children facing poverty, displacement and social exclusion, says Pablo Monti, BingX Spokesperson.
He added that the partnership is part of BingX's broader commitment to supporting education, inclusion and community resilience initiatives around the world.
This new partnership is another step towards that goal - ensuring that children like Samanta* have a safe place to turn, someone who listens, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.
*Name changed to protect identity.
