Without Meaningful Youth Participation in Decision-Making, There Can Be No Sustainable Development of Society
Statement by the Center for Democracy Foundation on the occasion of International Youth Day On the occasion of 12 August, International Youth Day, the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) calls on decision-makers, state institutions and local self-governments to ensure the systematic and meaningful inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. At a time when society is facing significant demographic, socio-economic and political challenges, while a large percentage of young people are still considering leaving the country, the key message is that young people are not only the future, but key actors of the present. Their voices, energy and proposals must…
From Young People’s Needs to Concrete Solutions: Policy Lab in Vranje on Youth Health
Young People and Local Stakeholders Jointly Develop Recommendations for Improving Public Policies The Center for Democracy Foundation held the first Youth Policy Lab in Vranje as part of the Your City – Your Voice project, dedicated to improving public policies and services in the field of young people’s mental and reproductive health. Following the previously implemented training programmes for young people and civil society organisations, the Policy Lab represents the next step – a space where the identified needs and challenges of young people are translated into concrete proposals for improving local policies and practices. Participants discussed the challenges faced…
From Dialogue to Recommendations: Young People in Vranje Shape Policies for Better Health
“Young People, Health and the Decisions That Affect Us – From Participation to Public Policies” During July 2026, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised a youth training programme in Vranje and online entitled “Young People, Health and the Decisions That Affect Us – From Participation to Public Policies”, as part of the Your City – Your Voice project. The interactive two-day training brought together young people from Vranje and the surrounding area who are committed to actively contributing to the improvement of policies and services affecting the mental and reproductive health of young people. Starting from the question of how…
Young People in Niš Develop Recommendations to Improve Youth Employment Policies
“Young People and Employment Opportunities – From Local Needs to Public Policies” During July 2026, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised a two-day youth training programme in Niš and online entitled “Young People and Employment Opportunities – From Local Needs to Public Policies”, as part of the Your City – Your Voice project. The training brought together young people from Niš and the surrounding area who are interested in actively contributing to the improvement of policies and measures affecting youth employment and their professional development. Throughout the interactive training, participants had the opportunity to explore how public policies influence employment…
From Ideas to Change: Young People in Subotica Develop Proposals for Cultural Policies
“Culture Tailored to Young People – Shaping Our City through Public Policies” During June and July 2026, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised a youth training programme in Subotica and online entitled “Culture Tailored to Young People – Shaping Our City through Public Policies”, as part of the Your City – Your Voice project. The training brought together young people from Subotica and the surrounding area who are interested in actively contributing to the improvement of cultural life in their community through public policy-making processes. Through interactive sessions, discussions and group work, participants gained basic knowledge about public policies, local…
ALDA President Natasa Vučković contributes to the dialogue on territorial diplomacy at MedCat Days 2026
On 9–10 July 2026, ALDA President Natasa Vučković participated in the 7th edition of MedCat Days, organised by the Government of Catalonia in collaboration with the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed). The event brought together representatives of European institutions, regional networks, local and regional authorities, and civil society to discuss how to transform the Pact for the Mediterranean into concrete, place-based action. The MedCat Days 2026 addressed how Mediterranean governance can become more effective,coordinated and action-oriented within the framework of the new Pact. The first day focused on the operational dimension of the Pact, addressing how it can be…
Strengthening the Capacities of CSOs from Subotica, Vranje and Niš to Involve Young People in Public Policy Making
Engaging Young People in Community Development Planning and Decision-Making On 1 and 2 July 2026, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised a two-day online training for civil society organisations as part of the project Your City – Your Voice, bringing together representatives of organisations from Subotica, Vranje, Niš and neighbouring municipalities working with young people and engaged in local community development, youth policy, culture, health and employment issues. The objective of the training, “Young People and Public Policies – Partnership between CSOs and Young People for Local Community Development”, was to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations to support…
NCEU supports the call made by civil society organizations for the United Nations to conduct an independent international investigation into the events of 15 March 2025
More than a year after the events that caused serious concern among a large number of citizens, Serbia still lacks findings that enjoy the confidence of a significant portion of the public. Instead of an independent and credible investigation, we have witnessed contradictory statements by different government officials, campaigns targeting organizations that collected citizens’ testimonies, and attempts to shift attention away from the events themselves toward those who have sought and continue to seek answers. For this reason, we believe that the call submitted by a broad coalition of civil society organizations to the relevant United Nations mechanisms should not…
Full Support for the Continuation of Accession Negotiations and the Strengthening of Regional Cooperation
Statement by the Intersectoral Working Group for Regional Cooperation and the Working Group for Chapter 31 of the National Convention on the European Union At a joint meeting of the Intersectoral Working Group for Regional Cooperation and the Working Group for Chapter 31 of the National Convention on the European Union, members of both working groups discussed current issues of relevance to the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia, the European integration process, and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. In the conclusions adopted at the meeting, the participants expressed their full support for the continuation of accession negotiations…
ILO Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy: An Important Step Towards Better Protection of Workers’ Socio-Economic Rights
The Center for Democracy Foundation welcomes the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, as the digital economy can contribute to development only if it is based on respect for human dignity and the socio-economic rights of workers. The ILO Convention represents an important step towards ensuring that platform workers, regardless of their formal employment status, are recognized as holders of labour and socio-economic rights. It establishes the first internationally binding standards governing work in the platform economy, including protection against the misclassification of employment status, greater transparency of algorithmic management, protection…
Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship: New Knowledge and Skills for Women from the Pirot District
Empowering Women in Southern Serbia to Start and Manage Their Own Businesses Within the framework of the project “My Idea, My Business: Empowering Women for Entrepreneurship and Climate Resilience in Southern Serbia”, the Center for Democracy Foundation organized a “Start Me Up” training on business creation and management in Pirot from June 4-6, 2026. The three-day interactive program, themed “Launch Your Idea: First Steps Towards a Sustainable Business”, brought together 17 women from the Pirot District who demonstrated high motivation to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and gain insights into sustainable business models and social entrepreneurship. The development of business ideas,…
Founders’ Assembly and Management Board Meeting of the Center for Democracy Foundation Held
At its session held on 5 June 2026, the Founders’ Assembly of the Center for Democracy Foundation marked the passing of its founder and President of the Management Board since the Foundation’s establishment, Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Mićunović. At the Assembly, Prof. Dr. Ksenija Petovar was elected President of the Foundation’s Management Board, while Prof. Dr. Ana Pešikan was elected Vice-President of the Management Board of the Center for Democracy Foundation. Center for Democracy Foundation
