“More effective role of the public and civil society in monitoring and protecting workers’ rights”
Throughout the numerous projects which we have implemented over the previous years, particularly through the “Black and White” campaign, the public has shown that the inclusion of civil society organisations is an absolute necessity and completely justified within the field of workers’ rights protection and restructuring within the sphere of labour. Due to this, several activities have focused on the inclusion of as many civil society organisations whose members and users will inevitably be confronted with issues both during the recruitment process and while under employment, and organisations which will be in a position to contribute to the improvement of…
2013: “Equal at work”
Women face many forms of discrimination in the labour market in Serbia, both when looking for employment and in the workplace. In 2013, the Center for Democracy Foundation launched and implemented the “Equal at Work” project. The aim of the project was to strengthen capacities of local CSOs and promote their role in representing interests and voicing the concerns of women in the labour market, including, terms and conditions of employment, exercise of their labour rights and self-employment opportunities in their local communities. The project encouraged participating SCOs to address these issues further and initiated cooperation with trade unions, associations…
2013: “Towards the EU membership negotiations – the role of the local communities” (2013)
During the course of 2013, the Centre for Democracy Foundation with the support of the Olof Palme International Centre implemented the project entitled “Towards the EU membership negotiations – the role of the local communities”. The project included all local self-governments from the territory of Brani?evo and Zaje?ar districts and other major local actors and was implemented in cooperation with the EU Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia , experienced scholars from the University of Belgrade and other renowned activists. In previous years, similar projects were implemented in a somewhat different format, within the Zlatibor, Rasina,…
2013: “Stop corruption that threatens decent work”
At the beginning of 2013, The Centre for Democracy Foundation launched a project entitled “Stop corruption that threatens decent work” . The duration of the project was 15 months and was implemented in partnership with: the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and The Initiative for Local Development Kraljevo . At the very start of the project, we signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Anti-Corruption Agency. The project received the Agency’s support and its participation in various activities associated with the project. Why this project? Corruption is one of Serbia’s biggest issues. It is present in almost every…
2013: “Towards More Efficient Prevention of Undeclared Work and Shadow Economy”
In 2013, Centre for Democracy Foundation implemented the project “Towards More Efficient Prevention of Undeclared Work and Shadow Economy”. Why this project? – In February 2013, the unemployment rate in Serbia reached an all time high of 29, 53% – The informal sector is more and more becoming an alternative to the formal sector and a sort of refuge from poverty – Nearly one third of all business entities are involved in shadow economic activity and employ workers without contract – The exact number of undeclared workers is difficult to determine and the results of available estimates range from 300…
2012-2013: “Decent Work for All”
The definition of ’decent work’ is; a productive position where workers’ rights are protected, where it is possible to earn a decent living and where there is adequate social security. A high unemployment rate is Serbia’s biggest issue, but at the same time it is vital that conditions for sound employment exist. In 2012 and 2013, the “Decent Work for All” project encouraged and empowered the public to effectively fight for workers’ rights; and at the same time, we united all those crucial in the fight for better and more decent working conditions in Serbia, which was our main objective….
2012: “The strenght of experience”
Serbia’s population is one of the oldest in the world. According to Census data from 2011, over 1,200,000 people are over the age of 65, which is 1/6 of the total population. Moreover, the prognosis is that by mid century, the number of people who fall into this age category will reach 1/3. This increase in the number of senior citizens and the decreased natality rate also have an influence on the labour market, on pension funds and on healthcare and social systems. In the wake of all this and Europe’s Year of Active Ageing, the Centre for Democracy Foundation…
2012: “We decide together” (2012)
For many years the Foundation has been working with local communities, and in continuation of that tradition, in 2012, it implemented the “We decide together” project, supported by the Olof Palme International Centre. The project included all local self-governments from the territory of Ma?va and Kolubara districts, and was implemented in cooperation with the European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, experienced lecturers and scholars from the University of Belgrade and other renowned activists. The goal of the project was to increase competence and build capacities of municipal administration representatives and councillors and other key local…
2011-2012: “Decent Work Balkan Network”
More often than not, our unfamiliarity with what our guaranteed rights are is the very reason why they are infringed. That was the main idea behind a campaign launched to set up the Decent Work Balkan Network, which gathered all those relevant in the region, who are active in promoting economic and social rights, so that they could, by joining efforts, strengthen the oversight over the implementation of existing laws and advocate for the adoption of new ones, which would contribute to a greater respect of economic and social rights. The campaign was conducted by the Olof Palme International Centre…
The people and security – Basic elements and stakeholders in the implementation of the concept of human security (2012)
The Centre for Democracy Foundation, with the financial assistance of the Balkan Trust for Democracy and the Democracy Commission of the US Embassy in Belgrade , in cooperation with the Centre for Euro-Atlantic Studies , implemented the Project “The people and security – Basic elements and stakeholders in the implementation of the concept of human security (2012)” . The aim of the project was to introduce young politicians to the concept of human security, security challenges and threats at the local level, in order to increase their capacity to face these threats efficiently. The participants had the opportunity to learn…
European values and policies in the local community (2006-2012)
Designed for councillors in municipal assemblies and officials in local government, from the moment this programme was first implemented in 2006 in the District of Zlatibor, it has been one of the Foundation’s top priorities. The objective of this project was to increase knowledge with regards to joining the European Union, the introduction of European values and also the promotion of these values. The empowerment of local representatives of the public, by ensuring that they have a better understanding of the reforms expected to be undertaken by Serbia on its path towards European Union, has had as its objective to…
The Politeia – School for politics and civil society studies (2009, 2011)
In 2009, four years after the completion of the last course organised at the Politeia School, the Centre for Democracy decided to resume the School’s operations, focusing primarily on political education. This was the 18th course held at the school since 1997. Even though the curriculum, as well as the students targeted was partially altered, Politeia continued to maintain a reputation as one of the most serious educational programmes available, as well recognition for its ability to choose the best students and its interactive teaching methodology. As a political school for young politicians who are oriented towards social-democracy, Politeia was…
