Giving Talent the Opportunity to Thrive in Serbia

What determines how far a young person can go? Talent? Determination? Hard work? Or simply the circumstances into which they happen to be born?

Across Serbia, many exceptionally talented young people face barriers that have nothing to do with their ability or ambition. Financial hardship, illness, displacement and the additional costs of education can make it much harder for students from vulnerable families to pursue the opportunities their talents deserve.

Thanks to the generosity of a Canadian donor, Myriad Canada has been working with the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation since 2025 on the Empowering Serbian Youth Through Education Project. The project initially provided scholarships to 38 high-achieving secondary students from vulnerable backgrounds; equipped seven under-resourced village primary schools with basic furniture and equipment, benefiting 1,377 students; and provided modern STEM equipment to six secondary schools in communities across Serbia, benefiting more than 1,200 students.

But behind those numbers are remarkable young people.

Kamilla was 16 years old when she applied for this scholarship. Raised by her mother in a single-parent household, she is a gifted language student, earning numerous awards in English and German, including first place in an international German-language competition, while also volunteering with elderly residents and children from vulnerable families. She hopes to build a career using languages, perhaps in international trade, diplomacy or education. As she shared: “This scholarship is more than financial support… It gives me the confidence to believe that my work and dedication matter.”

Branimir, who was only 14 when he first applied for this scholarship, lives with his mother, grandmother and younger sister in a single-parent household. Despite managing a chronic health condition, he has earned awards in chemistry, physics, mathematics and English while studying information technology. He is also a competitive chess player and a long-time volunteer with his local fire department. His ambitions are straightforward but powerful: to finish school, become independent and, in his own words, “above all, to be a good person.” For him, the scholarship is “a strong motivation for me to work harder and pursue my goals with confidence.”

During a Myriad Canada site visit in August, we were able to see the project’s impact first-hand. We met three scholarship recipients whose stories showed exactly what this support can make possible. Andjela is a member of Serbia’s national water polo team, an excellent student and a volunteer lifeguard who hopes to study medicine or dentistry. Filip has won medals in international STEM competitions, volunteers with the Red Cross and hopes to pursue advanced studies abroad. Dragoslav, whose family came to Serbia as refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is studying engineering, has won medals in academic competitions and also volunteers with the Red Cross.

Meeting these students in person truly put faces, stories and ambitions behind the numbers and showed us first-hand how the scholarships are helping talented, highly motivated young people continue their education and pursue their goals. We also visited two secondary schools, where teachers and students, including those with disabilities, were actively using project-funded 3D printers, drones and virtual reality equipment in day-to-day learning.

Following the success of Phase I, Phase II is now underway – and reaching considerably further. Scholarships are increasing from 38 to 60 students, while 12 primary schools, serving approximately 2,300 students, will receive much-needed equipment.

This new phase also adds an important new component: psychological and peer support for adopted young adults and adoptive parents, responding to a significant gap in post-adoption services in Serbia.

The first phase showed what is possible. The second is about turning that possibility into lasting change – opening more doors, creating stronger opportunities and helping shape a future in which more young people can go as far as their talent and ambition can take them.