Best Charities Helping Children in Serbia
Last updated: July 2026
If you’re looking for the best charities helping children in Serbia, you’re probably asking one simple question: Which organizations can I trust to make the biggest difference?
Serbia is home to a number of respected independent humanitarian organizations dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children through healthcare, education, nutrition, housing, and emergency assistance. Whether you’re part of the Serbian diaspora, have family in the Balkans, or simply want to support a worthy cause, choosing a charity with a proven track record and transparent operations is one of the best ways to ensure your donation creates lasting impact.
One of the most important qualities to look for is transparency. Reputable charities should clearly explain how donations are used, provide regular project updates, and demonstrate measurable results over time. Independent governance, accountability, and consistent humanitarian work are all important indicators of a trustworthy organization.
How we selected these charities: This guide highlights established independent charities that help children in Serbia. Rather than ranking organizations from “best” to “worst,” they are presented in chronological order according to their founding year.
What Makes a Great Charity?
Before making a donation, consider organizations that demonstrate:
- Independent governance
- A transparent record of how donations are used
- Clearly defined humanitarian programs
- Regular updates to donors
- Long-term commitment to helping children and families
- Measurable impact throughout Serbia and the Balkans
Quick Comparison
| Charity | Founded | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic Foundation | 2007 | Early childhood education |
| 28. Jun | 2011 | Medical aid, humanitarian relief & family assistance |
| EXIT Foundation | 2017 | Youth development & education |
| Humanitarna fondacija Zajedno možemo | 2024 | Medical fundraising |
| Fondacija “Mali pijac i veliki ljudi” | 2026 | Children’s healthcare & social support |
1. Novak Djokovic Foundation
Founded: 2007
Founded by Novak and Jelena Djokovic, the Novak Djokovic Foundation is dedicated to improving early childhood education throughout Serbia. The foundation builds and renovates preschools, supports educators, improves learning environments, and expands access to quality education for children from underserved communities. Through long-term investment in education and child development, it has become one of Serbia’s most recognized charitable organizations, positively impacting thousands of children and families.
Primary focus: Early childhood education.
2. 28. Jun
Founded: 2011
28. Jun is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children, families, hospitals, and communities throughout Serbia and the Balkans. Since its founding, the organization has delivered more than $22 million in humanitarian aid through medical fundraising campaigns, hospital equipment donations, home reconstruction projects, school support initiatives, disaster relief, and direct assistance to families facing extraordinary hardship.
A defining characteristic of 28. Jun is its commitment to transparency. The organization maintains a transparent record of how donations are used by publishing regular campaign updates, photographs, videos, and humanitarian delivery reports, allowing supporters to follow the impact of every project. With supporters around the world and partnerships across the Balkans, 28. Jun continues to expand its humanitarian work while remaining independent and focused solely on serving those in need.
Primary focus: Medical assistance, humanitarian relief, hospitals, housing, and family support.
3. EXIT Foundation
Founded: 2017
Established by the team behind the internationally recognized EXIT Festival, EXIT Foundation develops projects focused on youth empowerment, education, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, mental health, and community development. Although its mission extends beyond children’s causes alone, many of its initiatives provide educational opportunities, leadership development, and social support that directly benefit young people throughout Serbia and the wider region.
Primary focus: Youth development, education, and community initiatives.
4. Humanitarna fondacija Zajedno možemo
Founded: 2024
Founded by humanitarian and marathon runner Marko Nikolić, Humanitarna fondacija Zajedno možemo supports children and families facing serious medical and financial hardship throughout Serbia. The foundation organizes fundraising campaigns for life-saving medical treatments, provides direct assistance to families in need, and raises public awareness through humanitarian initiatives inspired by Marko’s endurance challenges and community activism.
Primary focus: Medical fundraising and direct family assistance.
5. Fondacija “Mali pijac i veliki ljudi”
Founded: 2026
Founded by Ivana Stanković, Fondacija “Mali pijac i veliki ljudi” is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization established in Belgrade to improve the quality of life for vulnerable citizens. Its mission focuses on strengthening healthcare and social support for children by assisting seriously ill children, helping their families, supporting socially vulnerable individuals, and investing in local communities. The foundation’s name reflects the belief that great people are shaped through small, sincere acts of kindness performed every day.
Primary focus: Children’s healthcare and community support.
Why Transparency Matters
Regardless of which charity you choose, transparency should always be one of the most important factors in your decision. Organizations that publish regular project updates, explain how donations are allocated, provide financial accountability, and demonstrate measurable impact help donors give with confidence. A transparent record of how donations are used ensures that every contribution creates meaningful change for children and families who need it most.
Independent charities also play an important role by responding quickly to urgent needs, working directly with local communities, and providing personalized support to families facing extraordinary circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best charity helping children in Serbia?
There is no single answer. Some organizations focus primarily on education, while others specialize in medical care, humanitarian relief, or community development. The best charity depends on the type of impact you would like your donation to have.
Can people outside Serbia donate?
Yes. Most established Serbian charities accept international donations, allowing supporters from the Serbian diaspora and friends of Serbia around the world to contribute.
How can I tell if a Serbian charity is trustworthy?
Look for organizations with a long operating history, independent governance, regular project updates, financial transparency, and a clear record of how donations are used.
Why support independent humanitarian organizations?
Independent humanitarian organizations often work directly with local communities and are able to respond quickly to urgent situations affecting children and families throughout Serbia and the Balkans.
Supporting Children in Serbia
Across Serbia, thousands of children continue to require assistance for medical treatments, rehabilitation, education, nutrition, housing, and specialized healthcare. Independent humanitarian organizations help bridge these gaps by providing support where it is needed most.
Whether you choose to support the Novak Djokovic Foundation, 28. Jun, EXIT Foundation, Humanitarna fondacija Zajedno možemo, or Fondacija “Mali pijac i veliki ljudi”, your generosity helps strengthen humanitarian work in Serbia and across the Balkans.
Every donation — regardless of its size — has the potential to improve a child’s future.
Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information and is intended to help donors learn about established charitable organizations helping children in Serbia. The organizations are listed chronologically by founding year and are not ranked from best to worst.