Regional Solidarity and Cooperation: Key to Advancing Labour Rights
Collaboration Between Trade Unions and Civil Society Organisations – Regional Academy on Decent Work 2024 The Centre for Democracy Foundation participated in the Regional Academy on Decent Work, held in late November 2024 in Igalo, Montenegro. The event, organised by the Centre for Politics of Emancipation and partner organisations, brought together 60 representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs) and trade unions across the Western Balkans. The discussions focused on the collaboration between trade unions and CSOs, joint campaigns, and the exchange of experiences on strikes and negotiation strategies in the fight to protect labour rights. A Manifesto on Decent Work was signed at the event,…
First National Policy Lab (Youth Dialogue Session) on Culture and Cultural Heritage Held
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The first National Policy Lab (Youth Dialogue Session) was held on 15 November 2024 at the ASK Education Centre, as part of the three-year project entitled ‘Regional Dialogue of Youth for Europe – RYDE’, implemented by the Center for Democracy Foundation with the support of the European Union. Following the first Regional Policy Lab on 5 November 2024, where representatives from government administration, cultural institutions, youth representatives, CSOs and independent cultural experts from the Western Balkans discussed the barriers, opportunities, and strategies for integrating youth perspectives into public policy frameworks in the cultural sector across the region,…
Support for improving the living conditions of informal waste pickers within the PRO program
Better access to healthcare, education, and social services, training, mentorship, and support for employment The “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” program, implemented by United Nations agencies with financial support from the Swiss Government, will enhance the living conditions of around 1,600 informal waste pickers and their families. The Swiss Government has allocated 2 million euros to improve their economic standing, social inclusion, and access to public services, as stated during the launch of the initiative to improve the living conditions of informal waste pickers under the “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” program. Support will focus on 12 municipalities, covering…
First Regional Policy Lab (Youth Dialogue Session) on Culture and Cultural Heritage Held
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The first Regional Policy Lab (Youth Dialogue Session), organised by the Centre for Democracy Foundation as part of the three-year project ‘Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE’ with the support of the European Union, was held on 5 November 2024, via the Zoom platform. Youth participation in cultural initiatives and activities is crucial for Western Balkan societies. Unfortunately, the level of youth involvement in cultural life and the creation of cultural policies is unsatisfactory in most countries of the region. There is a need to combine efforts to find solutions to motivate young people to…
Experts Call for Reforms: Improved Planning of the Healthcare System Needed
Centre Dialogue – Social Forum Waiting lists, dual employment arrangements, and a lack of transparency are the main issues plaguing Serbia’s healthcare system, according to participants in the debate ‘(In)equality in Access to Healthcare Services and Waiting Lists’ organised by the Center for Democracy Foundation on 5 November 2024 in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. “Waiting lists are at the core of the issue and represent a legalised system of corruption,” said Dragan Milić, Head of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic in Niš. He added that Serbia’s healthcare system is in disarray, with parallel systems prioritising personal interests over patient care. “The healthcare system…
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…
Needs of Waste Collectors and Their Families – How to Provide Systemic Support?
Joint UN Programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Within the framework of the Joint UN Programme ‘PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature’, training was held on 17 and 18 October 2024 for representatives of local governments’ coordination mechanisms, involved in the support programme for informal waste collectors. Participating in the event, entitled ‘Support for Waste Collectors and Their Families, and the Roles of Various Actors’, were representatives from the Center for Democracy Foundation included Manager Milena Mićović Trajković and researchers Nevena Novaković and Njegoš Vujadinović (Institute of Social Sciences). The attendees were presented with research findings concerning capacities, social protection services and the…
A fifth of citizens at risk of poverty, adoption of the Social Protection Strategy urgent
Statement from the Center for Democracy Foundation on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty In Serbia, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Office (NSO), 19.9% of citizens live at risk of poverty, while 27.2% of the population is exposed to the risk of poverty or social exclusion. The elderly and the unemployed are particularly affected, indicating a serious lack of a systemic approach to combating poverty. The Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) actively advocates for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 – eradicating poverty, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which has also been…
Call for a Regional Internship Program is open!
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE We are pleased to announce a great opportunity for 5 young people from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia to attend a paid internship in civil society organizations from Western Balkans. If you are a young person who wish to gain firsthand experience in civil society in Belgrade, Pristina, Tirana or Skopje in a period of two months, learn about European integration, contribute to youth participation and structured dialogue and connect with young people from the region, apply for internship at this link. Deadline for submitting applications is 29 October…
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: POLICY LABS ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH, MEDIA, AND CULTURE
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE Join us in creating opportunities for collaboration, bringing together young people and policy makers to discuss and work on mainstreaming youth policies across all relevant areas! RYDE (Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe) project team invites youth representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), ministries/institutions, local decision-makers, youth councils, youth from political parties, youth representatives from media and other relevant stakeholders to join the upcoming policy labs. These sessions aim to establish and improve dialogue between decision-makers and youth representatives in order to jointly identify opportunities for improving youth policies in the Western Balkans in the following…
