Name of the organization:
Association for Protection and Promotion of Mental Health in Children and Youth

Office address: 2, Učitelj Tase Square 18000 Niš
Tel: +381 (0)18 523 422, +381 (0)18 244 995
Tel/Fax: +381 (0)18 523 422
E-mail: oknis@medianis.net

Other office address: 67a, Bulevar Nemanjića St.  Zona I, lok. 39, 18000 Niš
Tel/Fax: +381 (0)18 234 192, +381 (0)18 528 835
E-mail: drustvonis@beotel.net

Web Site: www.oknis.org.rs

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HISTORY
The Association for Protection and Promotion of Mental Health in Children and Youth, or Open club was founded in October 1996 by realizing its first major project for the children of Yugoslavia, the project Open Club, which lasted five years and provided the trademark for the further work of the organization. Over 4000 children and young people were included in programs of this organization, whose aim was the development of non-formal forms of education and provision of psycho-social support to children to ease their growing up in the country with the unfavorable economic and political conditions for the socialization of youth. Following the requirements of the community, Open Club has implemented a number of other programs aimed to change the consciousness of citizens about democratic values and strengthen the youth participation in social and political processes. With the support of the Open Club members, the establishment of several non-governmental organizations in Nis has been initiated, which are still successfully working for the achievement of democratic goals.
Open club is till well-known by its programs for the reinforcement of the young and the development of the civil society values.

MISSION AND GOALS
Creation of equal opportunities for the development of children and youth by affirmation of democratic values and empowerment of the youth for active and responsible participation in the community.

The goals are:
- Empowerment of children and youth by education adn development of social skills
- Providing psycho-social support to the children from vulnerable groups
- Advocacy for fulfilling human/children rights and their promotion
- Promotion of interculturality, gender equality and tolerance
- Improvement of democratic processes on local and national level and strengthening of the role of youth in the decision-making processes
- Support to the youth initiatives by strengthening the capacities of youth
- Research and issuing of the documents and publications concerning youth
- Support of the development of the civil society by networking, advocacy and raising the citizens’ awareness about their participation in decision-making
- Raising the awareness of the youth about protection of environment and cultural heritage
- Developing the channels of communication with governmental bodies, local self-governments and institutions
- Creating and nourishing the cooperation with the business sector
- Promotion and development of volunteerism at all levels in the region
- Support of the processes of European integration by developing the citizens’ consciousness about EU values
- Creation and development of the international cooperation, individually and through EU programmes

Target groups are children and youth, 5 – 35 years of age, from the whole Republic of Serbia, members of youth organizations, educators and teachers, parents and citizens.

STRUCTURE I RESOURCES
The structure of the organization is Members Assembly, Executive board, Board of Supervisors and teams for education, psycho-social support and advocacy.

Human resources include: 11 employees, 40-50 engaged experts on project bases and 50 volunteers in average.
President of the organization is Olgica Beba Bajić
Managers / project coordinators are: Tamara Simonović, Saša Stefanović i Jovana Arandjelović
Assistants / Administrators are: Zorica Sokolov, Danijel Kostić, Tatjana Pešić i Aleksandar Andrić
Web administrator is Vojislav Bajić

Technical resources include two offices in Nis, the main office with the place for education, 2, Ucitelj Tasa Square and the other office in 67a, Bulevar Nemanjica St. Zona 1, lok 39. Both offices are well equipped with furniture and techniqual equipment, and the employees use 3 vehicles received from UNHCR for the implementation of the project.