Mr Sem Fabrizi, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, visited the Café – bar „16“. The café is a part of the Center for Youth Integration (CIM), employs the children from Drop-in Shelter. This establishment is a result of efforts aimed at enabling better social inclusion and integration of the children and increasing their chances in the labour market.

Ambassador Fabrizi talked to the children from the Drop-In Shelter and employees of the café and asked them about their hopes and dreams, their daily obligations and how much do the employees from the Drop-In Shelter help them with their work or school. The visit was also a chance for the Ambassador, who is from Italy, the origin country of cappuccino, to exchange experience in the preparation of coffee with barmen from the café located in Cetinjska 15.

The establishment of the social enterprise of the café “16” has been initiated with the aim to help children from the Drop-in Shelter at the moment when they are the most vulnerable – when they lose the right to benefit from this type of assistance. The Social Enterprise has been launched by the Citizens Association CYI which advocates for better social integration of children living or working in the streets, as well as for creating a support system for each vulnerable child.

Apart from securing the roof over their heads, CYI also provides educational assistance, from preschool age to the end of elementary school.  Experience proves that the educational system is the best way for social inclusion. The Delegation of the European Union financially supported the Drop-in Shelter and continues to provide support for such ventures.