National dialogue on social inclusion and economic empowerment of Roma men and women and other marginalized groups
“Inclusion of Roma and other marginalized groups in Serbia” The National dialogue on social inclusion and economic empowerment of Roma men and women and other marginalized groups "Through cooperation and good practice to sustainable solutions" was held on March 15, 2023 in Belgrade. The German Development Cooperation Program "Inclusion of Roma and Other Marginalized Groups in Serbia" (InR), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, as a political partner and the Ministry of Labor, employment, veterans and social issues as a key partner and the…
Nataša Vučković, member of the Working Group organised to prepare the Draft Development Plan of the Republic of Serbia
Secretary General of the Center for Democracy Foundation, Nataša Vučković, was appointed as a member of the Working Group organised to draft the Proposal for Regulation on the Procedure for the Preparation of the Draft Development Plan of the Republic of Serbia. The Working Group has been tasked with drafting the Proposal for Regulation on the Procedure for the Preparation of the Draft Development Plan of the Republic of Serbia according to previously conducted analysis, performed consultations and public debate. The Resolution of the Formation of the Working Group was rendered by the National Public Policy Secretariat. Center for Democracy…
CDF: Stopping violence against women in Serbia
CDF Announcement: International Women’s Day Women in Serbia are exposed to drastic gender-based violence. This is evidenced by overwhelming data which states that since the start of 2023, 9 women have been murdered and in 2022, 27 women were murdered as a result of femicide. In response to International Women’s Day, the Center for Democracy Foundation warns of the violence, discrimination and inequality the women of Serbia are exposed to and offers its support to civil society organisations in establishing mechanisms to combat femicide and the urgent response of the competent institutions in preventing violence against women and girls. Women…
Nataša Vučković at the ALDA Governing Board held in Brussels
ALDA Governing Board meets in Brussels, welcoming new members and discussing on key future events The brand-new office in Brussels hosted the first ALDA Governing Board meeting for this 2023. In an atmosphere of renovated joy, so meet again after months, the delegates gathered on Friday 3 March 2023 to update on the recent mission to Ukraine, and the development of the LDAs in the Country. Nataša Vučković, member of ALDA Governing Board and Secretary General of the Centre for Democracy Foundation has participated at the meeting held in Brussels. The Board discussed together the upcoming General Assembly of ALDA,…
The CDF as a member of the Council for Gender Equality and the Council for Monitoring the Implementation of the Strategy of Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination
The CDF was selected for membership in the Council for Gender Equality of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Council for Monitoring the Implementation of the Strategy of Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination for the Period 2022-2030. The Law on Gender Equality provides that the Government establishes a Council for Gender Equality as an advisory body to the Government that includes civil society. CSOs are important actors, the activities of which contribute to achieving and improving gender equality in society. The adoption of the Strategy of Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination for the Period 2022-2030 envisages providing…
Nataša Vučković for Nova S TV: The people expect the judicial system to deliver justice
“I think we’ve made some progress towards normalisation, toward seeking out solutions that will allow us to break free from this marry-go-round we’ve been stuck on. I think this is a positive step forward for Serbia,” said the Secretary General of the Center for Democracy Foundation, Nataša Vučković for Nova S TV. “What we need to highlight is that this is a situation which indicates that Serbia is accepting of the realities which exist, in the same way that Kosovo must accept the Community of Serb Municipalities,” said Vučković in response to the new rounds of talks between Belgrade and…
CDF: Improving social services in the community, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the poor
Announcement Commemorating World Day of Social Justice To commemorate World Day of Social Justice, the Center for Democracy Foundation emphasises the difficult positions of vulnerable groups in Serbia and the need to improve social services in the local communities, to improve the lives of the poor. Single parents, parents with two or more children, the elderly and beneficiaries of Financial Social Assistance in particular, are suffering. Our analyses indicate that Financial Social Assistance and Child Allowance both need to be increased, which was recommended by the Fiscal Council as a key measure. Furthermore, in its recommendations the European Commission has…
Messages of peace and support to our colleagues in the civil society of Ukraine
On behalf of the Foundation Centre for Democracy, Nataša Vučković, member of ALDA Steering Committee and Secretary General of the Foundation Centre for Democracy, sends support to our colleagues in the civil society of Ukraine with a strong desire that peace and a safe life for all Ukrainian citizens be established as soon as possible. Civil society organisations have a substantial role in spreading the truth, informing the public and fighting for European values, but above all in advocating for peace and peaceful conflict resolution and providing assistance to vulnerable citizens, refugees and displaced persons, deprived of their homes, belongings…
Vučković for K1 TV: Poverty data is worrisome; it is necessary to increase Financial Social Assistance and Child Allowance
“We attempted to identify the real issues of Serbia’s poor, through analysis and research. What we discovered was devastating,” said Nataša Vučković, Secretary General of the CDF for K1 TV. When we look at poverty data findings and projections, collected through activities of the joint UN programme “Extending Social Protection in Serbia through Enhanced Shock-Responsive Policy”, Vučković emphasised that a lot depends on the support of the community. Single parents, parents with two or more children, the elderly and beneficiaries of Financial Social Assistance in particular, are suffering. The state can and should improve social services in local communities, thus…
Successful implementation of the Erasmus+ project – SMELT
Skilling Marginalized people to enter the Labour Market Implementation of the SMELT project, which started in 2020 was finalised with the closing conference entitled “Social Inclusion Skills Development and the Employment of Vulnerable Groups” held 16 and 17 January 2023 in Schio, Italy, within the framework of the fifth Transnational Partners’ Meeting. The CDF completed this project in collaboration with partners from five EU countries, with the aim of improving the position of vulnerable groups and providing the skills they need to join the labour market. At the closing conference, the project partners presented their achievements/results to interested parties, among…
Nataša Vučković speaks to Nova S TV on the Council of Europe and Kosovo
“When you become a member of the Council of Europe, you have to prove your willingness to adhere to and execute the obligations you undertake with membership at the international level. Your internal plans must also adhere to all standards, principles and human rights”, said Nataša Vučković for the Daily News at Nova S TV in response to the decision not to consider Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. As far as the Council of Europe and other international organisations are concerned, this means that Kosovo is not ready to execute the obligations it undertakes through international treaties. “In…
Vulnerable Households in Serbia Face Unique Challenges due to Ukrainian Crisis
“Extending Social Protection to Families in Serbia with Enhanced Shock-Responsiveness” New research has revealed that vulnerable and marginalized population groups in the Republic of Serbia are facing distinct challenges resulting from both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis. Poverty projections for the most vulnerable population categories in Serbia – families with children and older persons – were presented today by UNFPA, UNICEF, UNHCR and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office as part of the Joint United Nation’s Programme “Extending Social Protection to Families in Serbia with Enhanced Shock-Responsiveness” which is mainly funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund. Bearing the…
