Mission, Objectives and Activities

Serbia based not-for profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organization

Center for Democracy Foundation is Serbian based a not-for profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organization which, along 29 years of operation, has had a remarkable impact in advancing resources for democratic governance and EU oriented reforms in Serbia.

CDF Mission

We empower citizens for active participation in making decisions on the community development, through enhancement of democratic procedures, rule of law, public dialogue & human rights based approach and through advocating for integration of Serbia in the EU and for regional cooperation

Objectives

Objectives of the Foundation are of general benefit as follows: development of democracy, spread of democratic ideas, development of the parliament and promotion of parliamentarism, development of democratic political culture, dialogue and tolerance, advancement and protection of civil and human rights, European integration of Serbia and international cooperation, promotion, protection and advancement of gender equality and women’s rights, development of civil society, assistance to vulnerable groups and individuals, humanitarian assistance and encouraging scientific work in the field of social sciences.

The objectives referred to will be achieved through:

- Organizing and financing of public debates, lectures, seminars and conferences

- Editing publications

- Conducting research projects

- Providing support to talented young researchers in the field of social and political sciences

- Cooperation with civic associations, foundations, National Assembly and other state and independent institutions, academia, cultural institutions, businesses, as well as through cooperation with similar organizations abroad;

- Providing support to citizens` associations

- Promotion of culture and protection of cultural heritage and monuments

- Humanitarian activity will be achieved by direct support to vulnerable groups and through projects for their social inclusion

- Other activities related to the fulfilment of the above proclaimed objectives.

Membership in Networks and Key Partnerships

Member of ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy), Strasbourg, France
Member of FEPS (Foundation of European Progressive Studies), Brussels, Belgium
Cooperation agreement signed with Trade Union Independence and with CATUS
Member of the UN Global Compact
Lead Partner in Regional Youth Compact for Europe, a 14-member consortium of CSOs and think tanks from WB, Turkey and Europe
Cooperation with National Assembly of the RS (EU Integration Committee), Government`s negotiation team, Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Ombudsman, National employment Service, Agency for Peaceful Resolution of Labour Disputes, Labour Inspectorate

Organization and Management

Foundation`s founders are experienced and prominent opinion makers in Serbia: sociologists, lawyers, philosophers, politicians, artists, political analysts, psychologists, media experts... They govern the Foundation through its Assembly of Founding Members, by electing the Management Board of 11 founders, Secretary General (Director) and Audit Committee. Secretary General leads the CDF team of young and experienced staffers.

Main Donors 2017-2022:

European Union; International Center Olof Palme; Fund for an Open Society; Swiss Development Agency (SDC); German Agency for International Development GiZ; Royal Norwegian Embassy; GMF - Balkan Trust for Democracy; Friedrich Ebert Foundation; UNFPA

Center for Democracy Foundation works through three programmatic domains:

EU VALUES AND EU INTEGRATION – Strengthening Human Resources and Institutional capacity
LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL COHESION
PUBLIC DIALOGUE

OUR VALUES

Equality
Tolerance
Knowledge
Accountability
Solidarity
Sustainability

Our GOALS

Democratic, civil and European values rooted in Serbian society
Rule of law and democratic procedures are respected in the Serbian institutions
Citizens efficiently exercise and improve their economic and social rights, with social solidarity as a key value of our society
Increased social cohesion and reduction of poverty and inequality
Participation of civil society in creation and implementation of reforms
Accession of Serbia to European Union
Developed culture of human and civil rights, political culture, tolerance and dialogue
Establishment of market competition together with development of socially responsible state

OUR ACTIVITIES

Expert support to reforms through EU accession process and development planning
Inclusion of citizens in consideration of policies and decision making
Analysis and creation of practical policies proposals
Campaigns and advocating
Improving legal framework and monitoring the implementation of laws
Research
Education and training
Publishing activities

TARGET GROUPS and our programs beneficiaries with whom we most frequently work

Decision makers at national level and in local community
Civil society organizations
Citizens whose rights are in risk or being violated and vulnerable groups
Employed and unemployed persons whose work related rights are endangered
Small and medium size enterprises, business associations
Media

CDF TODAY

- Leading organization in the field of sustainable development, labour market issues and social inclusion

- Large track record in promoting EU values and EU integration of Serbia

- Recognized as credible interlocutor and partner to CSOs, public sector, businesses, trade unions, and international organizations

- Has a large network of partners and associates, in public and private sector, on local, national and regional level, cooperating with government agencies, companies, trade unions, universities and NGOs

- Member of the UN Global Compact, European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), Platform of Organizations for Monitoring UN Human Rights Mechanisms, Associate member of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)

- Chairs the Working Group for Migrations, Employment and Social Reform in the National Convention on the EU (civil society platform for monitoring the accession negotiations with the EU), as well as the Multi-sectoral Working Group on Regional Cooperation, and is member of the Programmatic Council of the National Convention

Registration

Foundation is registered in 1994 at the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Serbia by decision no. 022-2373/94-03, July 5, 1994 and recorded in the Register of Foundations by the Ministry. According to the new Law on Endowments and Foundations, it is registered at the Business Register Agency under the number BZF 72/2012.

PIB 100049904 (Tax identification number) / Unique identification number 17051008