Nataša Vučković, elected as President of the European Association for Local Democracy – ALDA
Dedicated to local democracy, human rights, gender equality, citizen participation, environmental protection, and other issues of importance “It is a great honour to receive the trust of such a large number of ALDA members and to lead the organisation over the following four-year period. This organisation experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with over a hundred employees operating in an increasing number of countries,” said Nataša Vučković following her election at the General Assembly of the European Association for Local Democracy, held in Barcelona from 13 to 15 May 2024, alongside the ALDA Festival themed ‘Local Democracy for Global Impact’….
Accelerate the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy
CDF Statement on World Day for Safety and Health at Work On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Center for Democracy Foundation calls for expedited efforts in adopting the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy along with an action plan for its implementation. In Serbia in the past year alone (2023), 1,322 workplace injuries were recorded, of which 14 resulted in fatalities and 1,308 were serious workplace injuries, according to the report from the Administration for Occupational Safety and Health. These are workplace injuries reported by employers. It is therefore reasonable to assume that…
Vučković: We cannot isolate ourselves from the international community; we’ve already tried that and it doesn’t work
Interview with Nataša Vučković for FoNet News Agency In an interview with the News Agency FoNet, Nataša Vučković from the Center for Democracy stated that our parliamentarians are adopting the style of speech used in the Serbian Parliament when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. She hopes that Belgrade will not make the mistake of withdrawing from the Council of Europe in the event of Kosovo's accession, as this would put an end to European integration. “Council of Europe membership is a precondition for us gaining EU membership,” explained Vučković in the Catch 23 series, noting that…
Reform Acceleration Necessary in Respect of Social Policies and Employment
Press Release of the NCEU Working Group for Negotiating Chapter 19 Members of the Working Group for the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) for Chapters 2 and 19 deliberated on the implementation of reforms concerning Negotiating Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment. The conclusion of said deliberations was the necessity to request the competent Ministry and the Government of the Republic of Serbia to accelerate reforms in the field of social policy, reform of labour legislation, and to implement initiated reforms regarding occupational health and safety, gender equality, social inclusion, and combating discrimination more efficiently. The Working…
Call for Proposals for the Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“ is open!
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe We are officially launching the open Call for Proposals for the Youth Fund „Local Youth Initiatives“ within the framework of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe funded by the European Union. Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives provides grants to support civil society organizations for projects that will improve and develop participatory youth policies in communities of the Western Balkans by supporting youth initiatives and fostering active citizenship and participation of young people in monitoring reforms and policies impacting youth in the region. Eligible organizations for applying are civil society organizations registered in Albania,…
Nataša Vučković Participated in the EU-Serbia JCC Meeting in Brussels
EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee’s (JCC) declaration adopted Nataša Vučković, General Secretary of the Center for Democracy Foundation, participated in the meeting of the EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels. At the meeting held on 5 April 2024, Vučković emphasised the need for the Serbian government to improve the way it presents the process of Serbia's accession to the European Union and to demonstrate its dedication to the implementation of laws and reforms. The JCC discussed the current state of play in EU-Serbia relations and accession process negotiations with the EU, the…
The Die is Cast – Now What?
Nataša Vučković, author of the text for Novi Magazin weekly newsmagazine Last week, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted Dora Bakoyannis’ opinion, thus taking a step forward towards Kosovo’s accession to the Pan European Organisation. The decision adopted by this important Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly came as a surprise in Serbia, causing feelings of pain, anger and other equally negative reactions and emotions. In analysing this event, several key issues arise. How Was This Decision Derived At? In its effort to gain the widest possible international recognition,…
Public debate on the initiative for adopting a social protection strategy
SDGs for All Platform The Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) organized a public debate on April 2, 2024, titled “Initiative for Adopting a Social Protection Strategy”, as part of the social pillar of the “SDGs for All” Platform. For more than a decade, Serbia has been awaiting a comprehensive strategic document that would approach the reform of social policy and the development of the social protection system in a systemic, sustainable, and fiscally responsible manner. The purpose of the debate was to gather all relevant institutional and non-state actors in one place to initiate advocacy for the adoption of a…
Nataša Vučković at the European Summit of Regions and Cities
Democracy, sustainable development, just transition, the future of the European Union and its enlargement… Nataša Vučković, Vice President of ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy), and General Secretary of the Center for Democracy Foundation, participated before the ALDA at the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities. The summit took place on 18th and 19th March 2024, in Mons, Belgium, organised by the European Committee of the Regions in collaboration with the Walloon Region and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The European Summit of Regions and Cities brought together high-level European and global decision-makers, regional…
Call to the future Government to continue with commitment to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda implementation
SDGs for All Platform On March 13, as part of its nationwide advocacy efforts, the Platform organized a press conference at the Belgrade Media Center, urging the new Government to commit to sustainable development, continue drafting the country’s development plan, and involve civil society organizations and other non-state actors in development policy dialogue, planning, and implementation processes. At the conference, the Platform representatives specifically called on the new Government to integrate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda into its work program, aligning it with EU accession efforts. A specific ministry should be designated to coordinate the Agenda’s implementation, ideally the…
Debate: Long-term Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Labour Market
Centre Dialogue – Social Forum On 7 March 2024, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised the debate: Long-term Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Labour Market, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Partaking in the discussion were: Tamara Šmidling, Kvinna till Kvinna; Svetlana Budimčević, Serbian Association of Employers; Jelena Ružić, Women's Association of Kolubara District (WAKD); Marija Martinić, United Branch Trade Union Independence; Biljana Maletin, Women's Development Platform of Serbia; Ivana Simonović, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ); Dina Rakin, Coalition for Solidarity Economy Development; Kirsten Schönefeld, Friedrich Ebert Foundation; Nataša Vučković, Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF); Prof. Zorica Mršević, PhD,…
Vučković in Brussels: Civil Society Organisation Play an Important Role in the European Integration Process
EESC Civil Society Week 2024 Nataša Vučković, Vice President of ALDA and General Secretary of CDF participated in the EESC Civil Society Week 2024 in Brussels. Vučković spoke on the panel session: Civil Society for Democracy in Candidate Countries about the role civil society plays in EU candidate countries and opportunities for enhancing cooperation with CSOs operating in the European Union. “Civil society reminds politicians that the process of European integration is not only driven by economic progress, which many emphasise as the most important objective, but it is a transformative process that should provide us with democracy, accountable and…
