BCSP in the year behind us

Even though the year 2023 was marked by mass murders in Serbia, incidents in Kosovo, irregular parliamentary elections, systematic abuse of tabloids to destroy the reputation of our organisation, but also attempted spy attacks on representatives of civil society, we managed to ignite new energy, start conversations on important topics and in that way influence changes.

With the hope that in the coming year, you will continue being our ally in the fight for a democratic society of responsible institutions where security is a public good, we would like to thank you for the support you have given us every step of the way.

We encourage you to keep following our work in 2024, participate in our activities, and help us defend democratic values together.

The BCSP wishes you a happy and safe 2024! 

Here is a reminder of the greatest BCSP achievements in the year behind us.

 

BCSP GROWTH 

During this year, which in Serbia was marked by a mass shooting in an elementary school in Belgrade and the villages of Dubona and Malo Orašje, we continued to fight even more resolutely against systemic problems and for the creation of responsible state institutions. Together with 20 other civil society organisations, we initiated an analysis of the security sector to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic events in May. In this way, we showed that we have the capacities and competence to implement fundamental social changes.

 

 

We improved the regional influence by organising BSC Leaders Meetings conferences attended by presidents, prime ministers, and officials from the region’s countries who led constructive discussions about the future of democratic reforms, regional cooperation, and the Western Balkans in global politics.

We are especially proud to have been the organisers of a panel discussion at this year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) where we discussed Russia’s influence on the Western Balkans with world and regional officials. Regarding the influence of third powers on the region, we are the first think-tank to publish comprehensive analyses of the influence of Hungary and Turkey. We will continue to deal with these topics in the future.

 

BCSP against violence 

After two mass murders in Serbia at the beginning of May, BCSP became part of the network of associations of citizens, journalists, and media against violence, which supports the civil demands of the “Serbia against violence” protest. With our active participation, we continue to advocate for the fulfillment of the demands of the protest, as well as for establishing the facts and circumstances that led to these tragic events.

 

Through public opinion research, analysis, and studies, the BCSP also assesses the implementation and effectiveness of a series of measures adopted by the Government of Serbia after multiple murders, in order to have better control over weapons and improve safety in schools and among youth.

 

A Decade of prEUgovor 

As part of the prEUgovor coalition, which celebrated its decade of existence in 2023, we continued to advocate for the preservation of rule of law reforms through the presentation of an independent semiannual Alarm Report that monitors the state of reforms in selected areas of Cluster 1.

 

 

BCSP and State De-capture 

By mapping the mechanisms and main points of institutional capture, we continued to shed light on topics such as reforms of the Law on Internal Affairs, electronic media, and public information, as well as the use of digital surveillance technologies, in this way indicate recommendations aimed at the state de-capture.

 

BSC 2023 

In mid-October, we successfully organised the second Belgrade Security Conference, which gathered over 500 participants and over 80 panelists. Among the topics of this year’s conference were challenges and proposals for the reform of the UN Security Council, the current state of relations between Serbia and Kosovo and other potential sources of instability in the region, the future of NATO and its importance for the security architecture, the fight for human rights, and feminist foreign policy in times of war, state de-capture processes, and many others.

 

 

To continue the discussions from the Belgrade Security Conference throughout the year in all countries of the region, we launched the BSC Leaders Meetings events, and this year, we managed to gather leaders in the field of foreign and security policy throughout the Western Balkans.

 

BCSP and Young Leaders 

Together with our partners, we have created a regional network that will consist of a total of 120 young leaders from Serbia, BiH, and Kosovo over 2 cycles. Through the regional peacebuilding academy and a series of meetings, young leaders will contribute to suppressing narratives that encourage conflicts and practices of division in the region.

 

In addition, the novelty of BSC 2023 is the BSC Young Leaders program, which aims to gather young people from the Western Balkans and encourage them to actively participate in the most important topics of the foreign and security policy of Serbia, the Balkans, Europe, and the world.

 

BCSP as a Safe Haven 

We continued to provide a safe haven for foreign and security policy researchers from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who, during their stay in Serbia, can continue their research work in the BCSP premises, publish texts and analyses, and participate in public discussions.

 

 

BCSP Support for Activists and Whistleblowers 

Throughout 2023, the BCSP continued to support activists, whistleblowers, and freedom fighters to further their mission and increase the democratic capacity of society in general. On the first day of the BSC conference, we presented the newly established “Lighthouse” award to Aleksandar Obradović, the Serbian whistleblower in the “Krušik” affair.

 

At the beginning of the year, the BCSP became a member of the Southeast Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection, and at the end of the year, we signed an open letter for the protection of whistleblowers, which was addressed to all member states of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

 

BCSP IN NUMBERS 

• The BCSP research and analysis were mentioned in the media over 1420 times during 2023.

• The BCSP team organised over 20 public events.

• During 2023, the BCSP published over 50 publications, short analyses, infographics, and over 80 video stories on various topics.

• The BCSP team is the largest so far, and at the end of 2023, it consists of 25 people, including visiting researchers.

• In the previous year, we provided assistance in 24 cases of pressure and attacks on activists throughout Serbia.