Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES

USAID is helping Serbia make its governance institutions stronger and more accountable to the people. USAID assists civil society organizations across Serbia so that they can mobilize citizens to understand, develop and support necessary reforms, while also conducting oversight at the national and local levels.  Support provided to democratic political parties helps parties develop modern policies that respond better to the electorate’s interests. Programming supports enhanced governmental checks and balances, and improved judicial and parliamentary operations by improvements in court management and building the professional capacities of parliamentary staff and the judicial budget and planning office. Activities also help strengthen Serbia’s rule of law by improving the transparency and efficiency of the courts, including a focus on misdemeanor and administrative courts, and by assisting independent oversight agencies and civil society in their efforts to make government more open and accountable. USAID initiatives strengthen parliamentary oversight capabilities as well as the participation of young politicians, minorities and women in parliament.

Current programs that contribute to this process include: 

Enhancing Accountability and Responsiveness of Elected Officials in Serbia

Enhancing Accountability and Responsiveness of Elected Officials in Serbia is a two-year direct grant implemented by the Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID). The project brings citizens throughout Serbia in direct contact with their elected representatives at both the national and local levels and it creates opportunities to discuss issues of public importance. 

For more information, please see: http://www.cesid.org

Judicial Academy Support Project

USAID supports critical reforms necessary for Serbia to transition into the European Union (EU). The Rule of Law Assistance - Support to the Judicial Academy project implemented by the Judicial Academy (JA) is a two-year, $500,000 initiative to strengthen the JA’s program and management capacities. The overall purpose of the JA is to improve the professional, independent, unbiased and efficient performance of judges and prosecutors and support staff.  

For more information, please see http://www.pars.rs

Institutional Strengthening of the High Court Council Project 

USAID works with courts and other judicial institutions to strengthen the rule of law in Serbia. The Institutional Strengthening of the High Court Council project is a two-year, $500,000 initiative to develop the administrative and technical capacity of the High Court Council (HCC), the body responsible for administering Serbia’s judiciary and improving the delivery of justice.

For more information, please see http://www.4digitsconsulting.com/

Play Unified Project 

USAID supports projects committed to building a more inclusive society and strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities. The Play Unified Project is a two-year, $249,815 initiative to provide opportunities for youth with and without intellectual disabilities to work together to create socially inclusive communities. 

For more information, please see http://www.specialolympics.org/ or http://www.specijalnaolimpijada.com/

Enhacing Local Resilience to Refugee Crisis project 

Since the summer of 2015, more than one million migrants have passed through Serbia.  With the closing of the “Balkan Route” in the fall of 2016, some 8,000 migrants have been forced to stay in Serbia for longer periods of time.

Recognizing that the migration crisis has overwhelmed municipal infrastructure and resources, USAID launched the Enhancing Local Resilience to the Migration Crisis Project.  The 18-month, $1.3 million project works with Serbian municipalities most affected by the crisis to help them cope with the effects of the crisis.

The project works in following municipalities: Preševo, Šid, Kanjiža, Subotica, Bosilegrad, Kikinda, Lajkovac, Tutin, Sombor

For more information, please see:  http://www.rs.undp.org