Young Researches of Serbia – Voluntary Service of Serbia

Young Researchers of Serbia – Voluntary Service of Serbia (YRS-VSS) is a non-profit, non-political NGO officially established in 1976 as a network of organizations, societies, clubs and sections with research programmes, gathered around the coordinative office on the national level in Belgrade. Through its history the number of members changed, but there were over 50 different organizations taking part. In the 90’s YRS-VSS leaves the organizational form of vertical relationships following the current direction of civil sector development. Today YRS-VSS represents the organization on the national level and it unites three thematically different but interconnected sectors – Environmental Protection and Conservation Sector, Educational Sector and Voluntary Service of Serbia.

Young Researchers of Serbia – Voluntary Service of Serbia involves mostly young people aged 15-30, but there is no upper age limit. We have developed in delivering good preparation and follow up of young people with fewer opportunities.

THINK BIG – do little: start an avalanche! is our motto.
Our vision is to be the driving force for all those whose aim is to make our planet a more peaceful, just and healthy place.

Driven by science and education, our mission is to contribute:

• to environmental protection and nature conservation,
• to development of voluntarism and its values,
• to scientific creativity and active participation of the youth.

Our main aims are environmental protection, environmental education, youth exchange and work with young people, as well as the promotion of sustainable development, scientific creativity and volunteerism.
We have organized hundreds of research projects and educative programmes for young people in various areas of natural and social sciences.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY SERVICE
We usually send approx. 400-500 volunteers from Serbia abroad and host over 400 foreign volunteers at 25-35 workcamps each year. Since 2015 our work on international volunteers exchange is supported by the Ministry for youth and sports of the Republic of Serbia.

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
YRS-VSS is a member of: Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, CCIVS – Coordinative Committee of International Voluntary Service, YEE – Youth and Environment Europe, ANPED – Northern Alliance for Sustainability, CEEWEB – Central and East European Working Group for the Enhancement of Biodiversity, and a partner of the network SCI in Serbia. YRS-VSS is one of the founding members of SEEYN – South East European Youth Network.