The “UNIPROMET” Foundation, in cooperation with the Cacak Health Center, supports the development of the Regional Center for Family-Oriented Early Interventions (PORI) – a project that represents a significant step forward in improving the support system for children in their earliest stage of development and their families. The development of the center represents a joint response to the need for accessible, professional, and comprehensive support, which will be available to families from Cacak and the entire region.

Regional Center PORI: support for children from the earliest age

The Regional Center PORI is being developed within the Occupational Medicine Service of the Cacak Health Center with the aim of unifying the services of various experts in one place and enabling children and their families to receive timely support during the most sensitive period of development.

The center will have regional significance and will be accessible to families from the areas of Cacak, Gornji Milanovac, Pozega, Lucani, Guca, Kraljevo, and other surrounding cities and municipalities. Its primary mission is to connect the healthcare system, education, and social protection so that support for families is higher in quality, more accessible, and more efficient.

PORI: part of the national reform of the early intervention system

The program of family-oriented early interventions represents part of the national reform of the support system for early childhood development, which is being developed in the Republic of Serbia in accordance with the National Program for the Improvement of Early Childhood Development.

The development of this system is supported by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, UNICEF, and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO), through the PRO – “Local Governance for People and Nature” program.

During the previous three years, Cacak has developed a functional model of family-oriented early interventions that today serves as an example of good practice in Serbia. As the first city to formalize cross-sectoral cooperation by signing the Protocol on Cooperation of relevant institutions, Cacak has laid the foundation for a unique family support system.

The “UNIPROMET” Foundation invests in the development of new capacities

As the sole donor of the first phase of the project, the “UNIPROMET” Foundation funded the renovation of the remaining part of the future Regional Center PORI premises, thereby increasing the number of functionally arranged rooms from 5 to 10. In this way, significantly better conditions were created for the work of the multidisciplinary professional team and the further development of services that will be available to the users of the Development Counseling Center.

Before renovation

After renovation

The Foundation’s support continues in the next phase of the project, which includes equipping the sensory and motor rooms, as well as the office for special education work – facilities that until now did not exist within the Development Counseling Center in Cacak.

By establishing these spaces, children will receive modern conditions for assessment, treatment, and development, while families will have access to the support of psychologists, speech therapists, special educators, physiotherapists, developmental pediatricians, and other experts in one place.

Center of knowledge, support, and development for the entire region

The vision of the project is for Cacak to become a regional center of knowledge, support, and early interventions that will represent a pillar of support for families from the entire region.

In addition to individual work with children and families, the development of parent support programs continues, including the “Klupko” parent support club, the CST program for parents, the Youth Counseling Center, and other preventive programs aimed at strengthening the family during all stages of a child’s upbringing.

The greatest value of the project will be measured by children’s smiles

The significance the Development Counseling Center holds for families is best confirmed by the experiences of parents:

“Entering your facility begins with a smile. Thank you for being with us in our difficulties.”

“With you, we found a place of understanding and support. Thank you for everything.”

“There is no end to the delight. A perfect corner for children and parents, where a smile and a kind word greet you at the door.”

As Jasmina Sipetic Kandic, psychologist and coordinator of the PORI Development Counseling Center, points out:

“The greatest success of this project will not be measured by the number of renovated rooms or purchased equipment, but by the number of children who, thanks to timely support, will have the opportunity to develop their potential and grow up on equal terms with their peers.”

Social responsibility that leaves a lasting mark

Founded in 2022, the UNIPROMET Foundation was established with the goal of translating the social responsibility of the company UNIPROMET into permanent and systemic community support. It directs its activities toward projects that improve the quality of life, with a special focus on children, youth, family, education, and humanitarian initiatives.

In accordance with the strategic commitment of the UNIPROMET Foundation for 2026, one of the key pillars of action is strengthening the family, improving social inclusion, and providing support to children and youth. By investing in the Regional Center PORI, the Foundation confirms its commitment to creating sustainable change and community development through projects that have long-term social significance.