Sombor, the administrative center of the West Bačka District in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, has a population of 41,814. Demographic shifts have markedly influenced the local population, with residents aged 64 and older now comprising 32.71% of the total.

It is the second city in Serbia to establish a council dedicated to older adult citizens, integrating it into the municipal administration as an advisory body. The “Council for the Improvement of the Status of the Elderly” includes an equal representation of older citizens and women, reflecting the city’s commitment to inclusivity. In collaboration with various stakeholders, the council jointly developed a Local Action Plan for 2024–2025, incorporating insights from the 2023 Gender Analysis.

Sombor has established a Centre of Intergenerational Solidarity and Cooperation, featuring four branches across the city:
– Intergenerational Solidarity Club at the Gerontological Centre.
– 2 Intergenerational Corners at the Pensioners Association of Sombor and the Sombor Youth Centre.
– Intergenerational Cooperation and Solidarity Resource Centre at the “Mali Princ” Preschool Institute for Day and Half-Day Care for Children.

The city leads in fostering intergenerational relationships, particularly within kindergartens and preschools, where activities promoting solidarity and understanding between age groups are integrated into regular curricula. Strong partnerships between kindergartens, the City Association of Pensioners, and the Gerontological Centre have further bolstered these efforts.
Notable intergenerational initiatives (amoung others) include:
– Digital Knowledge and Awareness Workshops,
– Recreational Physical / Musi & Dance Activities,

The city of Sombor has also officially recognized intergenerational cooperation and solidarity as a cross-cutting issue within its kindergarten and preschool programs, embedding these values into its educational framework.
Through these forward-thinking initiatives, it continues to set an example for building an inclusive, age-friendly community that values the contributions of all generations.