From 15 to 21 June 2026, Zlatibor once again became a place of friendship, solidarity and togetherness. The Sports Solidarity Camp 2026 brought together 73 children and young people from Serbia, France and Mali, who, through sports, educational workshops and shared activities, built new friendships, strengthened their self-confidence, and learned how solidarity, mutual support and understanding contribute to creating a more inclusive society.
Behind this camp are months of preparation, planning and dedicated work. Its organization and implementation were made possible through the joint efforts of the entire Centre for Youth Integration (Centar za integraciju mladih) team, together with our friend and partner from France, Olivier Silbermann. Once again, we demonstrated that meaningful achievements are only possible through collaboration, commitment, and a shared belief that every child deserves opportunities for personal growth, integration, inclusion, new experiences, and carefree enjoyment.
Over the course of seven days, participants had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, archery, rugby, kin-ball, orienteering, and hiking. In addition to sports activities, the programme included workshops on healthy nutrition, board game sessions, and meetings with representatives of the Zlatibor Basket Academy and guests from the world of sports. The camp was further enriched by educational and recreational excursions to Stopića Cave, Sirogojno, and Gostilje, while the final evening was dedicated to a celebration featuring the presentation of certificates and medals.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our partners—the OSCE Mission to Serbia, OlamAid, and the Zlatibor Basket Academy—for their invaluable support in making this year’s camp possible.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to the camp’s friends and supporters—Lidl Serbia, Zlatiborske Terase, the Zlatibor Tourist Organization, and TRK Zlatibor—whose contributions helped create a programme filled with meaningful activities and unforgettable experiences for all participants.
Special appreciation goes to the volunteers of the Red Cross Čajetina, who supported both the children and our team throughout the entire camp. By helping ensure participants’ safety and assisting with the organization of daily activities, their dedication, energy, and willingness to help became an invaluable part of this shared success.
Our greatest thanks, however, belong to the children themselves. Their courage, openness, perseverance, and readiness to embrace one another reminded us why programmes like this matter and how profoundly they can change lives.
The Sports Solidarity Camp is much more than a sports camp. It is a place where friendships are formed, prejudices are broken down, trust and self-confidence are nurtured, and the foundations of a society are built—one in which every child has the opportunity to belong.
