Public reading of the European Commission’s report on Serbia 2025
The EU Wants Serbia as a Member, but the Pace of Accession Is Determined in Serbia Traditional “Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2025,” European House, Belgrade (November 7, 2025) The European Commission correctly identified all the problems troubling Serbia, above all the deep and widespread political crisis, including accumulated issues in key areas – the judiciary, rule of law, freedom of assembly and the media, and the fight against corruption, participants of the “Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2025” concluded. The event was held at the European House in Belgrade, organized by…
Without the Full Engagement of the EU and International Partners, There Can Be No Genuine Reforms
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) presented the NCEU Book of Recommendations for 2025 to H.E. Andreas von Beckerath, Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, while, on behalf of the European Commission, the Annual Report on Serbia’s Progress was presented to the NCEU. This symbolic exchange of documents reaffirms the continued recognition of the role of the NCEU and civil society in Serbia’s European integration process. This year’s edition of the Book of Recommendations was prepared at a time when, despite new support instruments and clear signals from Brussels, Serbia’s…
Promotion of Socio-Economic Rights in the Context of EU-Oriented Reforms in Serbia
Project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White”, with the support of the Olof Palme International Center With the support of the Olof Palme International Center, the Center for Democracy Foundation organized, within the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White”, consultative meetings of stakeholders on key issues of labour law. Together with social partners, experts from the academic community and civil society, holders of judicial functions, as well as other stakeholders, discussions were held in the context of preparations for drafting a new Labour…
CDF: Serbia is Losing Factories, Workers Are Losing Jobs – What Is the Government’s Plan?
Announcement of the Center for Democracy Foundation In just the past several weeks and months, factory closures have been announced by Kentaur in Vranje (more than 250 workers are losing their jobs), the Subotica-based factory Flender (350 workers have lost their jobs), the Trendteks factory in Bela Palanka (50 workers are losing their jobs), and the Leoni factory is closing its doors in Niš (1,900 workers will lose their jobs). Before that, Benetton, Johnson Electric, and Dräxlmaier also announced layoffs. The Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) raises the question of what the government’s program is in a situation where it…
Internship Youth Program (RYDE)
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE Within the regional volunteering programme implemented as part of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE), funded by the European Union, ten volunteers participated, gaining knowledge and practical skills in advocacy and communication, the EU integration process, structured dialogue, and mechanisms of youth participation in decision-making processes, as well as project cycle management and event management. Through two calls for volunteers published during the second and third project years, a total of 155 applications were received, demonstrating a strong interest among young people in engaging in regional initiatives and capacity-building opportunities. RYDE…
European Academy: fostering peace and integration through youth engagement
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: European Academy: fostering peace and integration through youth engagement Organization: AIIS – Albanian Institute for International Studies (Instituti i Studimeve Nderkombetare),…
Statement of the National Convention on the European Union on the European Parliament Resolution
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union emphasizes that everything outlined in the latest European Parliament resolution on Serbia has, for months, been the subject of public warnings and statements by numerous domestic and international actors. The fact that the European Union’s highest democratic institution once again had to highlight the same unresolved and worsening issues seriously undermines the credibility of Serbia as a candidate country and sends a clear signal of stagnation in its European integration process, particularly given that the resolution was also supported by Members of the European People’s Party,…
Debate: “Is the Education System Ready for AI?”
DIALOGUE IN THE CENTER – SOCIAL FORUM The Center for Democracy Foundation organized, on October 21, 2025, in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a debate titled “Is the Education System Ready for AI?” Are we ready for the changes brought by artificial intelligence? How will the education system adapt to them? What kind of knowledge is needed today? How can we successfully reform education in line with these transformations? We sought answers to these and other pressing questions through a discussion featuring: Tanja Jakobi (Center for Public Policy Research); Prof. Kristina Vušković (University of Leeds, UK); Ana Dimitrijević (Forum…
POLITEIA Thematic Session: “The Role of Youth Mental Health in Building Resilient Societies” are open!
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE ? Tirana, Albania | 12-14 November 2025 ? Deadline for applications: 31 October 2025 We invite you to apply for the POLITEIA Thematic Session “The Role of Youth Mental Health in Building Resilient Societies” that will take place on 12-14 November 2025, in Tirana, Albania. The aim of the session is to provide young participants with an in-depth understanding of the challenges, trends, and policy frameworks related to youth mental health in the Western Balkans. Participants will explore how mental health intersects with education, employment, and social inclusion, and how policies can strengthen…
CDF: Urgent Need for Concrete Measures to Expand Social Assistance Coverage
Statement by the Center for Democracy Foundation on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty On the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Center for Democracy Foundation calls for the urgent adoption of the Law on Social Protection and the Strategy on Social Protection, as well as the implementation of concrete measures to expand the coverage of social assistance. In Serbia, according to the latest data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS), almost one-fifth of citizens are at risk of poverty (19.7%), while the at-risk-of-poverty or social…
Round Table in Brussels: Challenges for Public Services in Central and Eastern Europe
CEECAW Project Excellent cooperation, exchange of experiences, and joint collection of valuable knowledge aimed at contributing to the improvement of working conditions and collective bargaining in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Serbia as a candidate country for EU membership. The round table within the project “Challenges for Organising and Collective Bargaining in Care, Administration and Waste collection sectors in Central Eastern European Countries (CEEC)” (CEECAW) was held on October 15, 2025, in Brussels. The final CEECAW event brought together researchers, trade union representatives, and policymakers to discuss key challenges faced by public services in Central and Eastern…
CDF: Decent Work Is a Human Right, Not a Privilege
Statement of the Center for Democracy Foundation on the Occasion of the World Day for Decent Work We insist on the adoption of a new Labor Law aligned with the EU acquis, on the implementation of reform activities defined in the Reform Agenda, on the urgent regulation of new forms of work, on the application of the Youth Guarantee, and on the adoption of strategic documents governing issues in the fields of labor, employment, and social policy On the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work, the Center for Democracy Foundation draws attention to the growing challenges faced by…
