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,…
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…
Published National reports on collective bargaining in Serbia – CEECAW
CEECAW project The Center for Democracy Foundation has published four National Reports on collective bargaining in Serbia. The research was conducted within the framework of a two-year project titled “Challenges for Organising and Collective Bargaining in Care, Administration and Waste collection sectors in Central Eastern European Countries – CEECAW” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Center for Democracy Foundation in partnership with six partner organizations from Central and Eastern European countries. The project is led by the Institute for Public Affairs from Warsaw. REPORTS: National Report on Collective Bargaining in the Care Sector in Serbia National Report on Collective Bargaining in the Public…
Freedom of Expression and Assembly for Students Must Not Be Undermined
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) expresses its support for students across Serbia who, through marches and blockades of their universities, are voicing their concerns over the tragic loss of 15 lives in the collapse of a shelter at the railway station in Novi Sad, as well as their dissatisfaction with the response of institutions to this incident. The NCEU particularly supports the students’ demand that institutions, in accordance with their constitutional and legal responsibilities, approach this case with accountability and transparency, thoroughly establishing the facts and responsibilities involved. This would demonstrate…
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”,…
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…
Nataša Vučković: Social and Labour Rights on the Margins of Integration
Authored article by Nataša Vučković for Novi Magazin It is a rare occurrence for a conference addressing the general challenges and prospects of EU membership for Western Balkan countries to dedicate specific attention to the labour market, the state of workers’ rights, and the prospects for socio-economic development. These often seem like two parallel lines that seldom, if ever, intersect. The first set of topics typically revolves around geopolitical realities, the EU’s openness to further enlargement, and a general assessment of each country’s progress, with focus on the fundamentals—democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and regional cooperation. The social…
Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia: Limited Progress, Authorities Urged to Take Recommendations Seriously
The traditional Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2024 took place on 1 November 2024 The European Commission’s Report on Serbia notes minimal progress made by the country in its accession path toward the European Union. The document is described as realistic, providing an accurate ‘list’ of modest advancements and accumulated challenges in key areas, according to those who participated in the Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2024, held on 1 November 2024 at the Europe House in Belgrade. Speakers at the event included: Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia; Bojana…
On Opportunities and Effects of Youth Participation in Cultural Life
Meeting with the Managing Director of the Gallery of Matica Srpska in Novi Sad (Novi Sad, 21 October 2024) CDF’s Secretary General Nataša Vučković and Project Coordinator Dajana Ostojić held discussions with the Managing Director of the Gallery of Matica Srpska Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski concerning opportunities and the impact of youth participation in cultural life. Ms Palkovljević Bugarski will represent the Gallery of Matica Srpska in the upcoming policy labs, youth dialogue sessions on culture, organised by the Center for Democracy Foundation in collaboration with regional partner organisations as part of the project ‘Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe’ with support from the European Union. The dialogue sessions aim to enhance communication…
Allow Students to Engage in Student Politics unhindered!
On the participation of youth at universities with STAV – an informal group On 21 October 2024, the Center for Democracy Foundation’s Secretary General, Nataša Vučković and CDF’s Project Coordinator Dajana Ostojić visited new members of the informal group STAV (Students against the Authoritarian Regime) in Novi Sad. The discussion focused on the challenges and issues of students’ organisation at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, as well as the participation of youth at universities in Serbia in general. The Center for Democracy Foundation insists that students should be allowed to engage in student politics without hindrance. Participation in electoral processes, as well as…
