Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

STRENGHTENING ACCOUNTABILITY OF KEY DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS 

USAID is helping Serbia make its governance institutions stronger and more accountable to the people.  Activities strengthen Serbia’s rule of law by improving the independence, efficiency, and professionalism of the Serbian judiciary.  Anti-corruption assistance increases the capacity of independent agencies to execute their mandates, helps local governments adopt more transparent practices, and bolsters the adjudication of corruption cases. USAID support to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) strengthens their sustainability, increases their ability to represent citizens’ concerns, and expands their capacity to affect change. USAID also supports efforts to promote media independence. 

Current programs that contribute to this process include: 

USAID Rule of Law project

The USAID Rule of Law (ROL) project is a four-year, $9.8 million project supporting justice sector reforms that enhance the timely delivery of justice for Serbian citizens.  The project works with the courts, public enforcement agents and the State Attorney’s Office to increase increased judicial efficiency, transparency and access to justice.

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

USAID Government Accountability Initiative

The Serbia Government Accountability Initiative (GAI) is a four-year, $8.5 million activity that works with key Serbian stakeholders to increase government accountability at the national and local levels.

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.

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