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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Statement of the Multisectoral Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) Representatives of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) took part in the inaugural meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility, a joint mechanism of the European Union and the Government of Serbia. Through this instrument, Serbia could receive around €1.6 billion in grants and concessional loans by the end of 2027 – but only on the basis of implemented and verified reforms set out in the Reform Agenda. Following months of dialogue with the European Commission on the NCEU’s role in this process – during which it…
Statement of the NCEU regarding the ongoing “public debate” on amendments to criminal legislation
National Convention on the European Union The National Convention on the European Union expresses its protest concerning the manner in which the Ministry of Justice has approached the amendments to the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Law on Juvenile Offenders. We recall that the procedure for amending parts of these laws was suspended a year ago precisely due to very similar serious procedural objections raised at the time by both the NCEU and the wider expert community. Instead of conducting an open and inclusive process, the Ministry of Justice launched a public debate on September 10,…
International Day of Democracy: Citizens of Serbia for Freedom and the Rule of Law
Statement of the Center for Democracy Foundation on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy Citizens of Serbia have shown that they want a democratic and orderly society The Center for Democracy Foundation congratulates the citizens of Serbia on the International Day of Democracy and expresses its support for efforts to build a modern, democratic, and orderly society in which the rights and dignity of all are respected. We believe that Serbia urgently needs genuine reforms and transformations of the state and society in order to approximate the standards of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law that…
National Convention on the European Union strongly condemns the excessive use of force in Novi Sad
The National Convention on the European Union strongly condemns the excessive use of force by the police, as well as the violation of the autonomy of the University, which occurred following a peaceful protest in Novi Sad. It is unacceptable that citizens located far from the site of the incidents were subjected to physical violence and repression. If the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia is unable to effectively and professionally neutralize a small group of violent individuals without resorting to excessive force against other citizens and students, we expect it to seek assistance within the framework of…
Youth for Democracy – Their Voice Must Not Be Ignored
Press Release by the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) on the Occasion of International Youth Day On the occasion of International Youth Day, the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) extends its congratulations to all young people and calls on institutions, decision-makers, and society as a whole not only to listen but also to act in line with the voices and needs of youth! At a time when as many as 49% of young people in Serbia are planning to leave the country (according to KOMS’ 2024 research), the message is clear: young people want to live in a country that…
Stop Pressure and Intimidation of Serbian Citizens
National Convention on the European Union The National Convention on the European Union condemns the creation of an atmosphere of panic and intimidation ahead of the public gathering in Belgrade, scheduled for Saturday, March 15th, organized by students participating in the blockade from across Serbia. Peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, as well as by international conventions and commitments Serbia has undertaken in the process of European integration. We therefore call on all relevant authorities to act professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law, ensuring that…
