Supported Regional Informal Youth Groups from the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) As part of the Active Achievement Fund for 2025, five regional informal groups have been selected for support. This sub-granting initiative is implemented within the framework of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, funded by the European Union. The implementation of their three-month projects began on September 1, 2025, and will last until November 30, 2025. The Call for project proposals for the Active Achievement Fund for 2025 was open to the regional groups composed of at least 5 young people from at least 3 Western Balkan countries. These groups are not…
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…
The greatest responsibility for the state of dialogue in society lies with those who hold the most power
Nataša Vučković for NIN (weekly newspaper) Nataša Vučković, General Secretary of the Center for Democracy, believes that those most responsible for the state of dialogue in a society are those who hold the greatest power to encourage, sustain, and improve dialogue—namely, the authorities. “In our case, the authorities behave as if they acknowledge only that part of society which supports them. Those who are not part of that group are suppressed in every possible way—through belittling, insults, and using the media to destroy the reputations of individuals, groups, or organizations. Political dialogue, which should primarily occur in parliament, is characterized…
Published Public Policy Proposals – Collective Bargaining (CEECAW)
As part of the project “Challenges of Organizing and Collective Bargaining in the Care, Public Administration and Waste Management Sectors in Central and Eastern European Countries – CEECAW”, four comparative sectoral reports have been published – covering the care, waste management, and public administration sectors – as well as one comparative report on the development of collective bargaining in the context of the implementation of the EU Adequate Minimum Wages Directive. These reports were prepared based on 12 national reports from all countries participating in the CEECAW project. Based on these four comparative reports, four policy papers have also been…
CDF in Cities and Municipalities: Together for a Better Life in Local Communities
Apatin • Arilje • Bač • Bečej • Bela Palanka • Beograd • Brus • Čajetina • Knjaževac • Kragujevac • Kraljevo • Kruševac • Kula • Lazarevac • Leskovac • Loznica • Ljubovija • Niš • Nova Varoš • Novi Pazar • Novi Sad • Obrenovac • Odžaci • Osečina • Pančevo • Pirot • Požega • Prijepolje • Ruma • Smederevo • Sombor • Sremska Mitrovica • Sremski Karlovci • Subotica • Surdulica • Šid • Ub • Užice • Valjevo • Veliko Gradište • Vladičin Han • Vranje • Vršac • Zaječar • Zrenjanin… Wherever you go…
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…
CEECAW: Collective Bargaining in Europe (VIDEO)
Project: Challenges for Organising and Collective Bargaining in Care, Administration and Waste collection sectors in Central Eastern European Countries – CEECAW The aim of the CEECAW project is to develop collective bargaining (CB) in three sectors (care, waste management, central public administration sectors) in the EU Central Eastern European countries (CEEC) and Serbia (an EU candidate country). The project aims at supporting trade unions (at sectoral and national levels) in the implementation of the goals indicated in Article 4 of the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive in EU. The directive is especially relevant for Central and Eastern European countries, where bargaining…
POLITEIA SCHOOL: Shaping a Generation of Changemakers in the Western Balkans
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE What does it mean to truly make a difference? In our new promo video for Politeia School for Youth Participation, former participants share how this unique experience shaped their understanding of activism, leadership, and regional cooperation. Through personal stories and reflections, they reveal how Politeia became more than just a school – it became a turning point in their journey toward building more democratic, inclusive, and resilient societies across the Western Balkans. “At Politeia, we learned about human rights and civil liberties, civil society, the European Union, democracy, tolerance, reforms, and activism. The very format…
The Next Generation: Youth Internships Empower Regional Change
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE Across the Western Balkans, a new generation of civic leaders is rising – bold, passionate, and ready to shape the region’s future. Now, a unique opportunity is calling young changemakers to step up and make a tangible impact. The Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AEIN) released a video highlighting transformative experiences of past RYDE interns and the program’s powerful role in fostering regional cooperation, intercultural exchange, and democratic values among Western Balkans youth. The video was created as part of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, funded by the European Union. The RYDE internship program is opening…
Press release of the National Convention on the European Union regarding the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) On the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the National Convention on European Union emphasizes that it is a moral and human duty to remember all victims with reverence, and to unequivocally condemn any denial, minimization, or relativization of this crime particularly attempts to impose collective guilt. The glorification of convicted war criminals, the celebration of genocide, and its normalization through institutions or under the patronage of the Serbian authorities is not only profoundly unethical, but also politically disastrous. Citing poor practices in other countries in the region cannot serve as justification. The…
Debate: “Gender Gap in Serbia: Progress on Paper, Stagnation in Practice?”
Centre Dialogue – Social Forum Although the law prohibits discrimination based on gender, women in Serbia still face injustice on a daily basis – from being fired due to pregnancy, to being demoted at work, to a wage gap that increases with their level of education and experience – was the conclusion at the debate “Gender Gap in Serbia: Progress on Paper, Stagnation in Practice?” organized by the Center for Democracy Foundation on July 8, 2025, in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Participants in the discussion included: Tijana Milošević, Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality; Prof….
Press release of the National Convention on the European Union regarding the Excessive Use of Force Against Protesters
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The police’s brutal crackdown on protesters in Belgrade last night marks the culmination of an escalating pattern of repression against citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest. This escalation is not an isolated incident. It follows months of peaceful gatherings that began as a response to the tragic collapse of a station canopy in Novi Sad, which the authorities systematically ignored, discredited, and subjected to media smear campaigns. Since the mass civic protest on June 28, we have witnessed a deeply concerning trend of intensifying repression – from selective arrests and the presence…
