Serbia

WFD Serbia focuses on supporting key political institutions in the country, aiming to strengthen democracy, transparency, and a citizen-oriented approach to governance. Over the years, WFD has developed and implemented numerous projects and activities targeting political parties, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (including its expert service and staff), public institutions, leading civil society organisations, research and educational centres and others.

Political context

The political context in the Republic of Serbia is complex and challenging, characterised by over a decade of governance by the coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party, alongside frequent societal turmoil and protests. As an EU candidate country with self-declared military neutrality, Serbia's democratic capacity has faced scrutiny both domestically and internationally, particularly regarding the integrity of the electoral process, rule of law, and media freedom. Additionally, Serbia contends with significant economic challenges, a difficult demographic situation, and its strategic location on the "Balkan route" of mixed migration flows.

Key areas of work

Strengthening political parties in their representation role

WFD helps political parties and organisations effectively represent citizens within political institutions in Serbia. We support informed participation of political representatives in institutional mechanisms to help make sure national and local institutions work in the best interest of the citizens. WFD’s support from 2020 to 2023 was based on the research analysis, the “Mapping and assessment of political parties and organisations (MAPOS)”. This tool was used to assess the capacities of political parties and helped WFD develop a tailored support programme. Also, WFD continues to endorse internal democratic procedures within political parties, such as decision-making and proper representation (i.e. party youth wings).

Supporting national and local institutions

With the political institutions in Serbia, including the Serbian Parliament, Government and Ministries, and local level institutions, WFD works on a more effective delivery in the interests of citizens. The work of the Parliament is supported through engagement with MPs and political party groups in the Parliament on their respective roles in committees and subcommittees. WFD also works with the UK-Serbia Parliamentary Friendship Group to better utilise UK parliamentary expertise and to establish and maintain relations between the group and APPG in the British Parliament. On the technical side, WFD also helps the parliamentary service strengthen their delivery to MPs and citizens.

To ensure direct participation in key decisions, WFD initiated the Serbian Youth Parliament model – Parliamentorship. This initiative is implemented in cooperation with UNICEF Serbia and supported by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. Young people engage with MPs in a mentorship to increase youth participation in parliamentary processes. This resulted in 31 policy recommendations submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Informed participation of citizens in democratic procedures

WFD engages with young people through educational initiatives that promote democratic values and knowledge. In 2023 and 2024, this was delivered through mock elections (“Da li se cujemo?” initiative) aimed at introducing young people to the electoral process and the importance of electoral participation. The key aim was to support functional (non-)institutional dialogue with young people and improve participation mechanisms.

Additionally, through cooperation with governmental institutions, WFD supported the development of mechanisms that serve young people in Serbia. With the local organisation Returning Point, WFD worked on improving policy measures for returnees, given the high youth emigration rates. Also, WFD helped institutionalise the state Talent Fund, the purpose of which is to help gifted and devoted students in Serbia.

Current programmes

Building Institutional Democratic Resilience

Political institutions in Serbia struggle to respond to citizen needs which further fuels polarisation in the society. Citizens’ trust in democratic representatives has eroded and key groups, such as young people, often do not practice informed democratic participation. To improve this, constructive policy dialogue, proper representation of citizens in the institutions, and more inclusion in decision-making are necessary.

WFD helps political institutions and citizens understand and strengthen democratic procedures. We support capacity development in political representatives, inclusive and citizen-focused institutional dialogue, and stronger community dialogue. Based on the UK democratic experience, we help highlight citizen needs in decision-making processes. WFD supports effective use of participation and dialogue mechanisms that bring forward the best interests of the citizens.

Status

Underway

Start date

March 2021

Planned end date

March 2026

Completed programmes

Western Balkans Democracy Initiative

Status

Completed

Start date

March 2018

Planned end date

March 2021

Selected key results

Icon of hands holding together in circular path

WFD’s support to internal democracy in political parties led to the formation and/or decision-making improvements of youth wings of the parties.

For two generations of first-time MPs (in 2021 and 2024), WFD provided Orientation Seminars, helping them better understand their respective roles in representation, oversight, and legislature.

During the Covid-19 crisis, WFD initiated the forming of a parliamentary subcommittee for emergency responses, within the Health Committee.

WFD facilitated the first parliamentary diplomacy meeting of the UK-Serbia Friendship Group (Serbia) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Serbia (UK) in 2023.

In cooperation with government agencies, WFD helped reform the state Talent Fund which supports educational development of young people in Serbia

We engaged more than 5600 young people across Serbia in workshops on the electoral process and benefits of informed political participation.

Connecting young people and MPs (Committee on the Rights of the Child) through mentorship, WFD included the target group in the institutional decision-making process on measures against violence among young, based on the example of good practice from the UK.

In 2024, WFD Serbia signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, outlining the scope of work and collaboration.