USAID Serbia and Montenegro
Civil Society Grants (Serbia): USAID assisted 160 Civil Society organizations with $5.2 million in 2.5yrs to better represent the needs of ordinary people & become more influential partners with businesses and government in the democratic process. | Media (Serbia): USAID media assistance has contributed to more independent, professional and financially viable media outlets and media associations. The regulatory environment now better supports the development of e-media; 2,000+ media professionals trained. | Court Reform (Serbia): U.S. assistance helped increase independence and the professional skills of judges, magistrates and prosecutors; provided legal assistance to victims of war crimes and human rights abuses. | Local governments (Serbia): Through work with a wide geographic spread of municipalities, local governments are now more responsive: 30+ Citizen Assistance Centers, E-government in 80+ Municipalities. | Youth (Serbia): Junior Achievement in 90 schools in 2009. USAID supports efforts of the Ministry of Youth/Sports to better prepare youth for post-graduation work opportunities. | Agribusiness (Serbia): Serbian companies assisted made $16.7m in registered sales in 2008. Recent trade shows expected to bring over $17m in contracts. | Local Economic growth (Serbia): Municipalities in USAID’s Municipal Economic Growth Activity attracted over 800m Euro in investments and created over 11,000 jobs in two years by becoming more business friendly; 270 new businesses opened; 26 Local Economic Development offices set up to actively attract investments. | Commercial Courts (Serbia) have become more efficient and transparent with Case Management Systems in all 16 courts and the High Commercial Court. Case backlogs cut drastically. | Compete Project (Serbia): Helping to bring Serbian companies back into world market – leading directly to $20.5m in 2008 exports. Helping to introduce International Industry standards that allow companies to compete in the global marketplace. Attracted major film productions and millions in investments. | Support to companies (Serbia) in vulnerable areas increased their competitiveness. 2008 sales at trade/shows fairs for assisted companies up 42%. | Economic systems (Serbia): Helped introduce: VAT; private pensions; investment funds; sound insurance industry, bankruptcy and enforcement and modern payment systems. | Opportunity Bank (Serbia) loans created 5,000+ new jobs and ensured 40,000+ existing jobs were kept. Only lender for vulnerable people who have little access to credit. | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (Serbia): Civil Society activities have brought together 14 major companies and an array of NGOs to establish culture of CSR. | Preparedness Planning (Serbia): USAID works with all levels of government to improve disaster risk reduction, trained 675 responders from 50 Municipalities on disaster management. |
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    Separation of Powers Project

    The fundamental principles of Serbia’s 2006 constitution include the rule of law, separation of powers among the three branches of government and judicial independence. Gaps in these areas have been identified as fundamental obstacles to Serbia’s accession to the European Union and as reform priorities by the Serbian government: the Separation of Powers Program (SPP) is designed to help Serbia move closer to EU accession by strengthening the judicial and parliamentary branches of government. This $9.5 million program started in August 2008. Its work with the judiciary will end in 2013, and its work with the National Assembly will be completed in 2011.

    Project components include:

    For its work with the judiciary: 

    • Assists the new High Judicial Council establish its own budget and long-term planning office so Serbia’s judges can assume more control over their own affairs, track the income and expenses of courts more closely, boost their efficiency and make court operations more transparent and responsive to the needs of court users
    • Works with a wide range of courts and officials to establish a training and career track for and placement of professional court administrators who can assist with long-term improvement of court operations
    • Helps reduce backlogs and court processing times in Serbia’s non-commercial, trial-level courts

    For its work with the Assembly: 

    • Assists Members and Assembly staff establish its own budget and long-term planning systems, so parliament can be more responsive to the needs of Serbia’s citizens.
    • Helps Assembly operations become more transparent
    • Provides advice on specific legislation pending before the Assembly

    Expected results include:

    • By the end of 2012, the judiciary will have five- and 10-year developments plans and an integrated budget for all courts in place
    • By the end of 2011, professional court administrators/managers trained with the assistance of the Project are working in key positions within the system to improve the efficiency of court operations
    • By the end of 2012, a significantly lower percentage of users of select courts report offering and paying bribes to the judiciary and court personnel
    • By the end of 2012, the average number of cases pending for more than two years and four years in selected courts is significantly lower
    • By the end of 2011, the Assembly Budget Office can support and implement all aspects of the parliamentary budget and finance process
    • By the end of 2011, the Assembly will have five-year strategic and financial plans in place

    SPP is implemented by East West Management Institute, and its work with the Assembly is done through a subcontract with the State University of New York at Albany. For more information, contact the Project’s offices at office@ewmispp.org or +381 11 242 1663/1664, or East West Management Institute headquarters at info@ewmi.orgor +1 202 544-9345.