When we take a look at the current situation in society, in the context of policy implementation, reform, (un)democratization and (non)-transparency, it seems that civil society and it’s independent voice is gaining importance. Given that Serbia is slowly but surely - as evidenced by many international actors and documents (for example, the European Commission's Progress Report or the GRECO report) - slipping into an undemocratic regime and moving away from its European perspective, the bright spots are those civil society organizations and media who tirelessly continue to struggle for a better society.

Lately civil society organizations suffered another blow, abolition of the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society, a body that played a coordinating role in ensuring cooperation between the civil and public sectors. Part of the responsibilities of the Office have been transferred to the new Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue.

Therefore Belgrade Open School, with the support of the Kingdom of Sweden, has been trying to enable work and strengthen at least a part of the civil society organizations and independent media for the fourth year in a row. This is all happening under the auspices of the program "Civil Society for Improving Serbia's Accession to the European Union" (CS4EU), through which we have established a partnership with 11 civil society organizations and the media. Civil society organizations and media work together to design initiatives, point to problems in society, they inform, initiate changes and with their activities improve not only their areas of interest but also the society as a whole. In this process, we received new associates and partners from the business sector, who recognized the importance of joint action and encouraging change in various spheres.

What have our partners achieved this year?

First and foremost, they adapted to the new situation and shifted the focus of their work by following the development of events caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mental Disability Rights Initiative of Serbia (MDRI-S) has pointed to the very poor position and human rights violation of persons with mental disabilities, especially those living in health institutions. In addition to public response campaigns, analysis of the situation and policy and active participation in public debates, during the state of emergency MDRI-S wrote appeals and open letters to public officials and fought for the exemption of persons with mental disabilities from the obligation to respect curfew in Serbia, during March and April.

Publication of alternative reports is another way our partners draw attention to certain areas and problems.

• For the forth year in a row, National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS) publishes Alternative report on the position and needs of young people in Serbia 2020. Report draws wide media attention and public attention. Also report profiled itself as one of the most cited research indicating the thoughts and attitudes of young people.
• Uzice Child Rights Centre (UCRC) published an alternative report on Rights of the child in Serbia’s EU accession, as an analysis of the Chapter 23 Action Plan Implementation Report.
  • Speaking of Chapter 23, we’ll refer to technical report How far the judiciary in Serbia has progressed in fulfilling the transitional criteria from Chapter 23 published by Association of Public Prosecutors and Deputy Public Prosecutors of Serbia.

• Also, the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) prepared a report on Freedom of Expression during the state of emergency (Reflection on activities from the Action Plan for the negotiation Chapter 23), which refers to a number of regulations adopted during the state of emergency which had a direct impact on journalists work, such as restricting movement, banning attendance at events important for timely and truthful informing of citizens.

• Our media partner European Wester Balkans (EWB) published a very visible and quoted report on the State of Democracy in Serbia 2020. Part of the report that attracted the most attention was related to irregularities spotted during the parliamentary and local elections held on June 21.

• Human Rights Committee Valjevo had a different topic this year. Committee worked on a comparative analysis of legislative practice in EU countries and Serbia and came to the conclusion that the level of sentencing alternative sanctions in Serbia is at a much lower level than in the EU countries.

• EcoNomic Expert Community Association (ENECA) from Nis was primarily engaged in promotion, support and development of micro, small and medium enterprises, which resulted in recommendations and public policy for improvement of this sector. Recommendations were discussed by the local authorities.

Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia (CINS), Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK) and TV Forum from Prijepolje, our media partners, despite the pressures, have constantly informing public about current topics.

Faithful to the ideas of better society

Event Integration – Innovation was held at the beginning of the year 2020. Event brought together representatives of all three sectors – business, civil and public. Topics of greatest interest and the ones we have worked on in previous years were: energy efficiency, recycling, and employability.

While the others are still in the phase of development, meetings and networking, we have established and implemented one initiative.

In area of social entrepreneurship, throughout this year we have secured a strategic partnership with OTP bank. Members of BOS and ENECA teams participated in the monitoring and selection of OTP bank competition – Generator the Game Changer. Competition was announced in two areas: for the best new idea that will help micro, small and medium enterprises to overcome the crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic and for the development of an existing idea with the same goal.

Program Civil Society as a Force for Change in Serbia’s EU Accession Process (CS4EU) will continue to work during 2021, and we will, in a less challenging environment hope so, be able to continue where we left off and stay faithful to the ideas that are changing society.

Tamara Arsic, Belgrade Open School