Deep-rooted political turbulence, along with the present hybrid regime, have
resulted in an undesirable social, economic and political milieu in Serbia.
Such an atmosphere is a fertile ground for a grey economy, corruption,
nepotism and restrictions to media freedoms. These ?unconventional? means of
social functioning, have caused a decline in trust towards state
institutions and proportionally, increase of citizen participation in
non-institutional models of engagement. The aim of this paper is to analyse
one such model of non-institutional engagement: the local activist group Za
nas Kej, operating in the area Savski blokovi (Sava apartment blocks) in New
Belgrade. The authors analysed local residents? perception of the activist
group Za nas Kej in comparison to the group?s narratives and actions. By
using a grounded theory approach authors explained the role of groups such
as Za Nas Kej in the development of participatory and deliberative democracy
within the local community. Our data indicates that Za nas kej, despite its
local character, does not have a strong foothold in the community, and thus
receives only passive support. Citizens perceive Za nas kej as mediator
between local institutions and residents of the Sava apartment blocks.
Despite the failure to mobilise a wider group of citizens for their cause,
this activist group continues to be a relevant (political) actor within the
local community.