Members of the Council for Creating a Supportive Environment for Civil Society Development Freeze Their Membership Due to Threats to CSOs’ Work
Members of the Council for Creating a Supportive Environment for Civil Society Development, from civil society organizations (CSOs), inform the public that they have unanimously decided not to participate in the Council’s activities or attend its sessions for the foreseeable future. Membership in this body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia will be suspended until the circumstances that have led to the threat to the functioning of civil society in the Republic of Serbia and the violation of national and international regulations and strategic documents in this area are identified and resolved. This decision was made in light…
Politeia Thematic Session: Education and Policy Making in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Politeia Thematic Session on Education and Policy Making in the Western Balkans was organised by the Network of Progressive Initiatives from Sarajevo (NPI) from 21 to 23 January 2025 in Sarajevo. The aim of the session was to provide participants with the knowledge on educational policies, public policy documents structure, policy-making processes, and their impact on youth in the region. The session gathered 12 young participants, including 3 CSOs representatives, 5 youth activists, 3 decision makers, and 1 youth political party members. A total of 2 of them where from Albania, 3…
The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) condemns the intimidation and deportation of 14 foreign citizens from Serbia
The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) condemns the detention, deportation, and entry bans imposed on citizens from the regional and EU countries who participated in a conference organized by the Erste Foundation in Belgrade. This action is seen as a continuation of the pattern of intimidation and threats against civil society activists, under the pretext of involvement in so-called “color revolutions” and other activities that some institutions deem to be security risks. Such actions violate both domestic legal norms and the obligations Serbia has undertaken in its EU accession process. Additionally, they harm the country’s international reputation and…
CDF supports student demands
The Center for Democracy Foundation supports the demands of protesting students. Shared demands of students in blockade: – Publication of the complete documentation on the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station – Dismissal of criminal charges against students who were arrested and detained during protests, as well as the termination of ongoing criminal proceedings – Prosecution of those responsible for attacks on students and professors, and their dismissal if found to be public officials – A 20% increase in the budget for higher education Center for Democracy Foundation
CDF Condemns the Deportation of Civil Society Activists from the Region and the EU
Press release issued by the Centre for Democracy Foundation The Centre for Democracy Foundation strongly condemns actions taken by Serbian authorities regarding the detainment and deportation of civil society activists from Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, and North Macedonia, who attended the ERSTE Foundation NGO Academy in Belgrade. The arrest, unfounded questioning, declaration as a “threat to national security,” and subsequent deportation of civic activists are acts of repression. Such moves undermine trust between Serbia and these countries. This could seriously jeopardise collaboration with EU member states, whose activists were deported, as well as Serbia’s position in accession negotiations. For years,…
The Credibility of the Process for Selecting the New REM Council Has Been Seriously Undermined
The National Convention on the European Union in Serbia (NCEU) warns the national and international public, particularly relevant European Union institutions, that the Committee on Culture and Information of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is actively undermining the credibility of the process for selecting the new members of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM). Considering that the REM Council is currently non-functional due to the Committee’s unlawful delay in initiating elections for new members, the NCEU emphasizes that appointing an independent and professional REM Council is a key obligation under Chapter 23 of…
Roundtable in Valjevo: Human Rights and Environmental Protection as a Shared Responsibility – Dialogue for Sustainability
Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) On 16 January 2025, the Centre for Democracy Foundation organised a roundtable in Valjevo as part of the Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) project, entitled Human Rights and Environmental Protection as a Shared Responsibility: Dialogue for Sustainability. The roundtable brought together representatives from the business community, local government, trade unions, academia, and civil society organisations. The aim was to jointly explore opportunities for improving the protection of labour rights, human rights, and the environment through the application of responsible business principles and collaboration among all stakeholders. Participants included: Sanela Bahtijarević, German Organisation for International Cooperation…
Public debate on “The Impact of Migration on Regional Youth: Workforce in Transition”
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Kosovar Stability Initiative (IKS) from Pristina organized a public debate on “The Impact of Migration on Regional Youth: Workforce in Transition” on 15 January 2025 at Europe House in Pristina. The aim of the event was to foster dialogue on youth migration, economic opportunities, and public policy challenges. The debate brought together 26 participants from various categories, including representatives of civil society organizations and youth organizations, public institutions, the youth council, youth activists, political parties, and the media. The event was moderated by Mrs. Shpresa Demhasaj, who facilitated the discussion and engaged…
New Monitoring Report by the “SDGs for All” Platform: Is the End Goal in Sight?
“SDGs for All” Platform Civil society organizations gathered around the “SDGs for All” Platform have published the fourth monitoring report on the preparedness of the Republic of Serbia for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, entitled “Is the End Goal in Sight?” This report is intended for the representatives of relevant institutions, civil society organizations, the academic community, corporate sectors and citizens interested in gaining insight into Serbia’s current readiness to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the progress made in certain priority areas, and the possible next steps. What do the latest data show? According to the “Europe Sustainable Development Report 2023/24”,…
CDF representatives visited sub-grantee LEAD from Skopje
“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” Dajana Ostojić, project coordinator, and Katarina Stojković, financial coordinator at the Center for Democracy Foundation, visited the sub-grant beneficiary LEAD- Leaders for Education, Activism and Development on 6th December 2024 in Skopje. CDF supports their project called “LEAP – Local engagement, activism and participation“ within the Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives, funded by the European Union as a sub-granting program of the “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project. During the meeting, it was discussed the dynamic of the implementation of their project, which aims to enhance political literacy among youth from North Macedonia by providing them with the…
Vučković: Support Young People Fighting for the Common Good
Nataša Vučković on TV N1 Newsnight Programme The Secretary General of the Centre for Democracy Foundation (CDF), Nataša Vučković, stated on TV N1 that young people who fight for the common good and stand up for their beliefs must be supported. “There is constant talk about young people being disinterested in public affairs, apathetic, and eager to leave Serbia, particularly students. However, they are now engaging with issues that concern the broader public,” Vučković remarked during the Newsnight programme on N1. “These are issues directly tied to their future—what this country will look like, whether it will uphold the rule of law,…
Labour Rights in Focus: How to Improve Occupational Health and Safety in Serbia?
Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) Roundtable Discussion: Monitoring and Complaint Mechanisms for Occupational Health and Safety: Practice, Standards, and Risk Prevention The promotion of sustainable practices in global supply chains, the strengthening of workers’ rights, and the alignment of legislation with European Union standards were the central themes of the roundtable discussion titled Monitoring and Complaint Mechanisms for Occupational Health and Safety: Practice, Standards, and Risk Prevention. The event, organised by the Centre for Democracy Foundation on 5 December 2024, took place within the framework of the Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS). Participants highlighted serious shortcomings in the implementation of Serbia’s Occupational…
