Union of Pioneers of Yugoslavia

Yugoslav political youth organization
Union of Pioneers of Yugoslavia (; (ZPJ); ) also known as Tito's Pioneers (; ; ) was the pioneer movement of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Its members, basically all children of age seven and older, attended an annual ceremony and wore uniforms. The uniforms consisted of red scarves as well as navy blue hats called Titovka. These hats were sometimes white, and bore a red star on the front. A white shirt was often worn with the Pioneer scarf (marama) and the Titovka, although this varied depending on which part of Yugoslavia the particular pioneer was from. Boys often wore navy blue shorts or pants, and girls wore skirts in the same colour, along with white stockings and black shoes. On special occasions, such as a visit from Josip Broz Tito, Pioniri sometimes wore traditional costumes from their native regions of Yugoslavia. The organization was founded on December 27, 1942. It was a substructure within the League of Communist Youth and, after 1948, the League of Socialist Youth. It published Male novine. The organization was divided into younger pioneers (7–11 years) and older pioneers (11–15 years). Unlike other pioneer movements the full military salute was used, honoring the children and youth who fought as part of the Yugoslav Partisans of the Second World War.

The social function of becoming a pioneer in communist countries was similar to that of First Communion in Roman Catholic Church. In both cases, a child at the critical age of around seven is initiated as a member of a group within which the individuals share certain values and culture. This early initiation increases the likelihood that, once the child becomes an adult, they will identify with the group. Children were taught to be responsible and respectful, were asked to study hard and were considered the future generations of the nation.