Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth, Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth, Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans was held on 3 December 2025 at the ASK Center (Association for the Promotion of Culture) in Belgrade, organized by the Regional Academy for Democratic Development in cooperation with the Center for Democracy Foundation, within the three-year project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE,” supported by the European Union. This second regional session is a continuation of the dialogue previously conducted at the national level in Serbia and was organized with the aim of enhancing dialogue between…
Voice & Impact: Empowering Youth Councils for Community Change
Through the Youth Fund of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe, We are supporting regional projects that will contribute to the improvement of youth activism, participation and policy making skills at the local and national level. We are increasing the political participation of women, empowering young people for changes in the community, for dialogue, fostering peace and integration, advocating for a green future and the Youth Guarantees. Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE is funded by European Union. PROJECT: Voice & Impact: Empowering Youth Councils for Community Change Organization: BBA – Beyond Barriers Association (Shoqata Pertej Barrierave), Albania. Project: Voice…
Debate “Energy Security of Serbia in the Light of the Current Crisis – Challenges and Solutions”
DIALOGUE AT THE CENTER – SOCIAL FORUM On 2 December 2025, the Center for Democracy Foundation, in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, organized a debate dedicated to one of the most important issues for the economic, social, and political development of Serbia – energy security in the context of global instability and changed geopolitical dynamics. The debate entitled “Energy Security of Serbia in the Light of the Current Crisis – Challenges and Solutions” was attended by: Aleksandar Kovačević, energy expert; Goran Radosavljević, FEFA Faculty; Ilija Batas Bjelić, Institute of Technical Sciences of SASA; Miodrag Kapor, energy expert; Damir Dizdarević,…
Driving sustainable change by strengthening local capacities to address the socio-economic challenges of the most vulnerable
Joint UN Programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Advisory work with waste pickers and their families in 12 local self-government units – our focus is on practical knowledge and skills that will facilitate these people’s access to opportunities in the local labour market. We empower individuals and families to better understand employment opportunities, their rights, and available services. As a partner of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), within the Joint UN Programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature,” the Foundation Center for Democracy is committed to identifying potential and strengthening capacities in cities and…
Working Group on Amendments to Media Laws and the New Media Strategy: A Closed Process Without Guarantees of Integrity or Genuine Reform
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) expresses its deep concern regarding the manner in which the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications (the Ministry) has initiated the formation of working groups tasked with drafting legislation aligned with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), as well as the development of a new Media Strategy for the period 2026-2030.[i] This process is presented as a reform effort aimed at meeting European standards. However, in practice, it is burdened by serious shortcomings that run counter to the very spirit of EMFA and the fundamental principles…
20th meeting of the EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee
Adopted JCC Joint Declaration The EU–Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) held its twentieth meeting on 28 November 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia, with the participation of representatives of state institutions, civil society organisations, trade unions, and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Established within the institutional framework of the EU–Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), this platform provides an opportunity for representatives of both the European Union and Serbian civil society to monitor the country’s accession negotiations, exchange views on matters of mutual interest, and raise concerns to be addressed on Serbia’s path towards EU membership. The principal topics for…
National Platform for Digital Inclusion Established
Cooperation and knowledge exchange aimed at improving digital inclusion in Serbia The first meeting of the National Platform for Digital Inclusion, established within the project “Digital Inclusion Initiative” with the aim of improving digital inclusion at the national level, was held on 24 November 2025 in Belgrade. The Platform represents a mechanism for engaging and connecting relevant stakeholders dealing with issues of equal access to digital tools and resources. The Platform encourages strategic cooperation and dialogue among its members in order to identify key challenges, exchange effective solutions, and develop joint initiatives that bridge the digital divide and promote an…
REGIONAL CONFERENCE Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future
“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe” – supported by the European Union One regional conference – five cities – one vision: Belgrade · Sarajevo · Skopje · Tirana · Pristina We Are Shaping Our Shared Future — this was the theme of the two-day regional conference “Youth of the Western Balkans and European Union”, held as part of the project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” (2023–2026), organized by the Center for Democracy Foundation in cooperation with partner organizations from across the Western Balkans and with the support of the European Union. The gathering took place on 18–19 November 2025,…
Nataša Vučković – Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future
“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” Speech by Nataša Vučković at the opening of the regional conference “Youth of the Western Balkans and the European Union”, organized within the RYDE project with the support of the European Union (18 November 2025) Distinguished guests, colleagues, partners, dear friends, and especially—dear young people, On behalf of the Center for Democracy Foundation, I wish you warm welcome to this conference which in a way marks the end of a three year regional project dedicated to young people. Along these three years, young people knowledge about the European Union, about the integration challenges…
How EU Integration Can Restore the Trust of Western Balkan Youth in Democratic Institutions
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project Written by Emina Odobašić, a Intern at the Center for Democracy Foundation within the Regional Internship Program under „Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe“ project, supported by European Union During the last two decades, confidence in democratic institutions has been declining among young people across the Western Balkans. Feeling their voice does not count, opportunities are determined by corruption and political connections, public institutions do not provide equal opportunities or justice, many have grown disillusioned. Yet, amidst this overall disappointment, there is one highly shared conviction: the process of European integration can be a turning…
Politeia Thematic Session: “The role of Youth Mental Health in Building a Resilient Society”
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Politeia Thematic Session on “The Role of Youth Mental Health in Building a Resilient Society” was held from 12–14 November 2025, organised by Youth Act Centre from Tirana (YA), within the framework of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE), funded by the European Union. The event in Tirana gathered 12 participants from Western Balkan countries and an additional 3 participants from Albania. The activity was implemented through six thematic sessions facilitated by experts in the fields of public policy and mental health. The sessions were structured to include a combination…
The First Plenary Session of the Intersectoral Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia
Monitoring reforms on Serbia’s European path The first plenary session of the Intersectoral Working Group (IWG) for monitoring the implementation of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia was held on 13 November 2025 in Belgrade, with the participation of more than 30 representatives of civil society organizations from different parts of Serbia gathered in this newly established working group of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU). The Intersectoral Working Group was established in order to ensure the active participation of civil society in the implementation and monitoring of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia,…
