Amendments to Public Policy Regulations Reduce Transparency and Public Participation
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) At the end of March, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted amendments to two regulations: the Regulation on Regulatory Impact Assessment and the Regulation on the Methodology for Developing Public Policy Documents. These amendments introduce the possibility to exempt laws and strategic documents developed within the EU accession process from the obligation to conduct impact assessments and public consultations. In practice, this means that for a large number of laws and public policies, their effects on citizens and the economy will no longer be evaluated, nor will there be an obligation…
Annual Conference “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Serbia: State of Play and Directions for Reform”
The Center for Democracy Foundation organized, on April 8, 2026, within the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black on White,” with the support of the Olof Palme International Center, the annual conference “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Serbia: State of Play and Directions for Reform.” In the context of ongoing reform processes and challenges in the labour market, the aim of this year’s conference was to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of labour rights in Serbia, as well as to encourage dialogue on key priorities and directions for improving public…
Restricting Public Participation in Law-Making Processes Undermines Serbia’s EU Integration Process
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) In the past two weeks, the competent ministries have opened public consultations on draft laws in four areas covered by negotiation Chapters 23 and 24. These include amendments to the Family Law, as well as three new laws: the Law on Weapons and Ammunition, the Law on Internal Affairs, and the Law on the Processing of Personal Data in the Field of Internal Affairs. With regard to the implementation of these public consultations, the working groups of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) for Chapters 23 and 24 have identified several…
NCEU Expresses Concern over the Conduct of Local Elections and Calls for the Establishment of a Long-Term European Parliament Observation Mission
National Convention on the European Union The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) expresses serious concern regarding the conduct of yesterday’s local elections in Serbia, particularly considering the findings of relevant election observation missions, which point to systemic shortcomings in the exercise of voting rights and the protection of fundamental civil liberties. Of particular concern are reports indicating the absence of an adequate response by competent authorities to incidents of violence against citizens, as well as the failure of the police to act in situations where it was necessary to ensure their protection, prosecute those responsible, and investigate publicly…
Working Group of the NCEU: Amendments to the Labour Law Should Be Conducted Through a Transparent Process
Meeting of the Working Group of the National Convention on the European Union for Chapters 2 and 19 Held The Working Group of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) for negotiating Chapters 2 (Free Movement of Workers) and 19 (Social Policy and Employment) held a meeting on 11 March 2026 from 10:00 to 13:30 at the NCEU Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Nataša Vučković on behalf of the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF), which also serves as the coordinator of this Working Group. During the meeting, the state of reforms in the field of labour law was…
Growing Inequalities in Society Require Urgent Social Policy Reforms
CDF Press Release on the Occasion of the World Day of Social Justice On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, the Center for Democracy Foundation warns of the difficult position of vulnerable groups in Serbia, the high risks of poverty, and growing inequalities in society. Nearly one fifth of Serbia’s citizens live at risk of poverty (19.7%), according to the latest available data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (RZS), while the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate stands at as much as 24.3% (in 2024). Households in Serbia spend the largest share of their…
Draft Law on Internships: Between Better Youth Employability and the Risk of Abuse
Local Dialogue Session in Niš, 10 February 2026 On 10 February 2026, in Niš, the Center for Democracy Foundation organized, within the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White”, with the support of the Olof Palme International Center, a local dialogue session entitled “Draft Law on Internships: Between Better Youth Employability and the Risk of Abuse”. At the end of 2025, the public consultation on the Draft Law on Internships was concluded. The proposed law is intended to enable a quality transition of young people from education to the world of…
Renewed attacks on civil society are contradictory to Serbia’s European path
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union strongly condemns the publication of articles by pro-government tabloids that falsely and maliciously link the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, a member of the NCEU, to the vandalization of monuments in Belgrade. These articles are part of a broader campaign of discreditation against civil society in Serbia, which has intensified and culminated over the past year. Numerous civil society organisations in Serbia have been subjected to similar attacks, clearly demonstrating the lack of political will for Serbia to make genuine progress on its path towards European…
Nataša Vučković Elected to the EU–Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)
Contributing to Addressing Socio-Economic Challenges in Serbia’s EU Accession Process Nataša Vučković, Secretary General of the Center for Democracy Foundation, has been elected as a member of the EU–Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), composed of representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), civil society organizations, and social partners in the field of socio-economic development. The Joint Consultative Committee promotes dialogue and cooperation between social partners and other civil society organizations in the EU and Serbia, covering all relevant aspects of relations between the EU and Serbia in the process of accession negotiations. The JCC enables civil society organizations…
Financial Literacy as a Pathway to Youth Economic Independence in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project In today’s rapidly changing economic environment, young people in the Western Balkans face a complex set of challenges. Entering the labour market, achieving financial stability, and planning an independent future often require navigating uncertainty, limited opportunities, and unequal access to information and resources. In this context, financial literacy emerges as a crucial life skill, closely linked to youth economic independence, social inclusion, and long-term social resilience. Social resilience, understood as the ability of societies to withstand and adapt to economic and social challenges, largely depends on the capacities of younger generations. Financially literate and…
Public Debate “Youth Against Corruption”
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Academy for European Integration and Negotiations from Tirana (AIEN) organised a public debate titled “Youth Against Corruption” on 20 January 2026 at DUA Space. The event gathered 37 participants, consisting of youth from different sectors and organisations, as well as students. The panel discussion brought together specialists, including a Sector Manager in the Communication and International Cooperation Sector at the Directorate for Policy Implementation in the Field of Anti-Corruption, the Head of the Unit for Good Governance and the Rule of Law at IDRA, a Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of…
Regional Cooperation as a Shared European Value in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project The Western Balkans has long been a region shaped by history, borders that changed often, and complex political relationships. For decades, the idea of cooperation across borders seemed distant, sometimes even unrealistic. Yet today, regional cooperation is no longer just a political slogan; it is increasingly recognized as a shared European value and a practical necessity for the Western Balkans on its path toward European integration. In a region marked by post-conflict recovery, economic transition, and social change, cooperation among neighboring countries is not only a requirement set by the European Union but also…
