The population is a little more than six thousand people and is represented by three main nationalities: Slovaks, Serbs and Hungarian. This part of the country has been a farming area for ages and it’s reflected by the occupation and style of life of the present inhabitants – they are traditionally attached to agriculture. A visitor can easily see how village features of the place weave with city ones. They are complementary to each other and give an impression of natural harmony.
The YMCA in Backy Petrovac was founded relatively late (2008) and has not benefitted from previous YMCA Europe programmes of assistance to other Balkan YMCAs. The project "Strengthening YMCA Work in Balkan Countries and in Lithuania" funded in greater part by Y’s Men Denmark is the first form of structural assistance.
Despite of a late start, they have utilised effectively most of that what was available and quickly caught up with institutional and programme development and became a reliable partner of YMCA Europe. However, it is most important is that in B.Petrovac the YMCA association has become a part of community structure and keeps a high profile there. The community accomplishes the association and its activity and the municipality is very in favour for the YMCA initiatives. The local budget does not allow to help much in financial terms, but they encourage schools, other public organisations as well as local business to cooperation and support with money or in kind.
A strong side of this association is their direct reaction to the actual needs of community. Constant needs analysis is essential and the programme offer is flexible and updatable. As examples of their activities can be mentioned:
– Radio drama episode – recorded in Radio Backi Petrovac and broadcasted on Novi Sad radio station.
– Easter and Chiristmas Creative Workshops – activities for children from primary school. That’s for keeping long local tradition of preparation and celebrations these holidays.
– English Café – a club, non-formal teaching/learning form with focus on increasing linguistic skills in a practical way.
– Town actions – cleaning the village in the spring – that are the contribution to the action run together with other citizens.
– Kulpin Festival – rock music festival that every summer gathers several thousands people.
– Active Library – YMCA volunteers read stories to children – this promotion of reading books and also keeping vivid relationships between people.
– Summer day camps and educational programmes for children – non-formal education and learning on their town, history, culture, public institutions and facilities.
Another strength is the attachment of the YMCA leaders to the place and community. If they leave for studies they usually come back – they see their future in Backy Petrovac. At the same time the international feature of YMCA is kept thanks to networking via European YMCA projects.
The present place of YMCA reminds a wooden garden house: nice, cosy, equipped only with basic facilities. Small though it is, it’s functional and has a soul. However, the YMCA is growing and the needs too. The biggest ambition is to create a YMCA centre that would gather most of activities in one place. This place already exists as building; there are also architectural plans of renovation and adoption the building to new purposes. From this stage to the implementation is long and not easy way, which requires joint efforts of many people and investment of resources. Judging from the results this YMCA has achieved for the last three years the way from the "garden house" to YMCA CENTER in B.Petrovac will come true too.
On 25th of April 2015 the first General Assembly of YMCA Serbia was held in Backi Pterovac. This was an official start of national movement in this country. It was run according to the best democratic rules. Among the guest were representatives Y`s Men International (Poul V.Thomsen) and Y’s Men Denmark (Kjeld Madsen) and of YMCA Europe (A. Rychlik) – presented their organizations and cooperation between YMCA and Y’s Men on various levels.
