Reaction of the NCEU regarding the harassment of civil society organizations
The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) condemns the raid by armed members of the Criminal Police Directorate on the premises of five civil society organizations, including NCEU members, without an appropriate court order. We believe this action, carried out under the orders of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade under the pretext of verifying the spending of USAID funds, is politically motivated with the aim of intimidating and pressuring organizations and individuals who critically oppose the decisions and actions of the authorities. At a time when citizens across Serbia are taking to the streets demanding the respect…
Open Borders, Open Minds: Youth Advocating for a Connected Europe
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) The Regional Academy for Democratic Development has released a powerful video highlighting the benefits of European integration for the Western Balkans. The video was created as part of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, funded by the European Union. “Open borders, open minds. Freedom to move, freedom to grow. A connected Europe for curious young minds” – this the key message. This message reflects the vision of a region where young people have the opportunity to explore, learn, and contribute to a united and democratic Europe. Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE)
Social Justice, Equality, and Justice – The Fundamental Values of a Democratic Society
CDF for Radio Belgrade I on the World Day of Social Justice The Center for Democracy Foundation marks the World Day of Social Justice by emphasizing the importance of building a society based on equal opportunities, equality, and access to social welfare and justice for all. Social justice must be embedded in all development programs. Eradicating poverty, achieving gender equality, ensuring equal access to education and healthcare, providing social support to vulnerable individuals and groups, guaranteeing decent work, and promoting sustainable development that preserves natural resources – these are priorities that must be set when shaping the future of our…
Bridging the Gap: Youth and Decision-Makers Discuss Digital Literacy in North Macedonia
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) In an effort to promote structured dialogue between young people and policymakers, the NGO Info Center Skopje has released a video highlighting the importance of policy labs in advancing digital literacy among youth. The video was created as part of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, funded by the European Union. “Policy labs provide a vital space for fostering dialogue between youth and decision-makers, bringing ideas into actions,“ said Gorjan, a student from North Macedonia, emphasizing the significance of these platforms in shaping policies that directly impact young people. Through initiatives like…
NIŠ: Public Debate “Strike in the Absence of a New Strike Law” – New Legislative Framework A Necessity
Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White The Foundation Center for Democracy organized a public debate on “Strike in the Absence of a New Strike Law” on February 19, 2025, in Niš as part of the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White” supported by the Olof Palme International Center. Participants in the discussion included Aleksandra Nikolić (GG Dr. Milić), Miodrag Stanković (City Councilor, Niš – Moj Grad), Vesna Kovačević (Employers’ Union of Serbia), Zorica Miladinović (News Correspondent, Danas), Slavica Petrović (Association of Disenfranchised…
Public Debate “Strike in the Absence of a New Strike Law”: New Legislative Framework A Necessity
Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White The Center for Democracy Foundation organized a public debate on February 13, 2025, in Belgrade as part of the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White” supported by the Olof Palme International Center. The debate focused on the topic “Strike in the Absence of a New Strike Law”. Participants included: Biljana Stojković, professor at the University of Belgrade and member of the Democratic Party; Bojan Urdarević, professor at the Faculty of Law; Milica Lupšor, Association ROZA; Nebojša Atanacković, Employers’ Union of Serbia; Duško Vuković, Confederation…
Regional Internship Program for Youth: Laila Šašivarević Gains New Knowledge and Experience at CDF
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project As part of the Regional Internship Program, implemented through the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project with the support of the European Union, Laila Šašivarević from Sarajevo spent two months interning at the Center for Democracy Foundation in Belgrade. The program provides young people from the region with opportunities to gain new knowledge and work experience in civil society organizations outside their home countries, as well as to learn about European integration processes and policy reforms affecting youth. During her internship, which lasted from December 2024 to February 2025, Laila participated in…
Nataša Vučković: Transfer of Power
Authored article by Nataša Vučković for Novi Magazin (Serbian weekly) Autokomanda felt like the culmination of student actions, but Novi Sad surpassed it, leaving a deep mark on everyone who participated, listened, and watched. Images of young people marching persistently, devotedly, and unwaveringly through Serbia flooded the world, winning the hearts and souls of villagers and city dwellers alike, who welcomed them almost as liberators. Students as liberators – washing away layers of fear, hesitation, civic apathy, and resignation to a reality that once seemed to have no alternative. An amalgam of students, professors, and parents, joined by high school…
NCEU sent a letter to the President of the EC: EU should not turn its backs on Serbian citizens
Program Council of the National Convention on European Union Dear Ms. von der Leyen, Serbia is currently experiencing a serious political and social crisis, which deepens by the day. The tragic accident in Novi Sad on November 1st last year, in which 15 people lost their lives, sparked a wave of student protests. They believe that the accident was a direct consequence of severe corruption during the reconstruction of the Railway Station building. This is just one of many infrastructure projects that remain non-transparent to the public under the pretext of international cooperation agreements. For three months now, mass peaceful…
Student protests in Serbia focused on institutions and the rule of law
Interview: Nataša Vučković (CDF) for TVP World about the current political situation in Serbia Young people in Serbia ask for more rule of law and democratic and accountable institutions „The students don’t focus on elections, they focus on institutions and the rule of law. They demand that the judiciary fully independently fulfills its role in bringing to justice all the responsible for the big tragedy in Novi Sad. That’s mainly the demand of the student protests that started really as an authentic movement of young people who wanted to have more rule of law and democratic and accountable institutions“, said…
Serbian President Must Stop Targeting Civil Society Representatives
The Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) is a member of the Program Council of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) strongly condemns the public targeting of Maja Stojanović and Civic Initiatives – coordinator of the Intersectoral Working Group for Freedom of Expression and Media – by the President of the Republic of Serbia. This targeting has resulted in daily threats and intimidation through government-aligned tabloids. False accusations regarding her alleged role in organizing student protests have been used to pressure the proposers and candidates involved in the selection process for…
Environmental Issues as Drivers of Youth Activism in the Western Balkan
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project Written by Laila Šašivarević, a volunteer at the Center for Democracy Foundation within the Regional Volunteering Program under „Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe“ project, supported by European Union. Apathetic, lazy, and apolitical – these are the adjectives that have been used for years to describe young people, not only in the Western Balkans but globally. However, the situation today seems different. In the context of the transformative student protests in Serbia, last year’s global student protests against the occupation of Palestine and the war in Ukraine, as well as numerous environmental protests led by…
