Serbia
Serbia’s accession negotiations to the European Union (EU) commenced in 2014 and the country adopted several reforms to its public administration and economy. Switzerland is supporting Serbia’s integration in the region and in Europe by strengthening democratic institutions and processes and promoting sustainable economic growth under its cooperation programme in Serbia.
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Context Serbia
The implementation of public administration and economic reforms is proceeding at a sluggish pace. Major challenges persist, such as poverty and unemployment in rural areas and a stagnating economy. The long-standing partnership between Switzerland and Serbia is based on shared interests: Swiss companies have close ties with the Serbian economy, Switzerland is home to a large Serbian diaspora and Serbia has for many years been a member of voting constituencies led by Switzerland in the Bretton Woods institutions and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Switzerland’s assistance draws on its comparative advantages, especially in vocational training and local governance.
Democratic governance
Switzerland is supporting Serbia in its process of decentralisation. It is helping local administrations and local governments to become more transparent and efficient and deliver need-based services. Citizens, communities and civil society organisations are being supported to ensure that their interests and needs are addressed at the local and national level, and the government is held accountable.
Economic development and employment
Switzerland is supporting an improved policy environment to allow Serbian companies better access to foreign markets and funding. It is also promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. Switzerland is facilitating the development of a functioning, efficient and effective finance administration that is transparent and accountable. Programmes for market-oriented vocational training, especially for young people and disadvantaged groups, are being scaled up to reduce the high unemployment rate.
Sustainable energy management and urban development
Improvements in energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy are among the conditions for joining the EU. Switzerland is supporting Serbia with innovative projects to promote renewable energies, such as biomass and geothermal systems, and reduce CO2 emissions. Higher energy efficiency is being achieved by retrofitting district heating systems and renovating public buildings. A long-term energy plan and improved management of urban infrastructure are aimed at better preparing cities and municipalities to tackle climate risks.
Approach and main partners
Switzerland is closely coordinating its cooperation on the transition with local authorities, other donor countries and international organisations such as the EU, United Nations (UN) and international financial institutions. The principles of good governance and gender equality are integrated in all programmes of the SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Switzerland’s main partners in Serbia are:
- Local authorities: ministries, city and municipal authorities, national local government association;
- Swiss and local non-governmental organisations (NGO);
- Bilateral and multilateral partners: the EU, Germany, the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the EBRD, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for Project Services, (UNOPS) and the Credit Institute for Reconstruction (KfW).
Stories
Tying Payments to Results: The Swiss Experience in Results Based Finance
An article about the review of the Swiss experience in Results Based Finance (RBF) illustrated with multiple case studies on RBF applications by SDC and SECO.
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern