BCSP in the year behind us

Even though the year was marked by general elections in Serbia and the long process of forming the Government, the war in Ukraine, and increased political and security instability in the region, we managed to start discussions on important topics, continue to provide support to activists and civil society organizations and advocate further democratization of Serbia, in accordance with the rule of law. We celebrated a significant jubilee, 25 years of work, and continued our growth programmatically and in the number of team members. Still, we also lost a dear colleague and friend, Marija Pavlović.

We want to thank all of you for your support in good and challenging situations. We are proud that over the last 25 years, we have built a stable community of people who share our values, which is growing in number every day. We know that in the next year, you will continue to be our support in building a safe and free community in solidarity.

Happy New Year 2023!

Take a look at the biggest BCSP successes in the year behind us.

BCSP GROWTH

During the previous year, we celebrated 25 years of work. Together with friends and partners, we talked about the beginning of BCSP work, discussed what the organization’s role would be in the future, and started a debate on the most urgent topics related to our region and its broader geopolitical context. In order to contribute to a better international understanding of the Balkans, as well as to open discussions on relations within the region, we established an International Advisory Committee consisting of 18 internationally recognized experts on international relations, defense, security, and the rule of law issues. In addition, the BCSP team is the largest so far, and at the end of 2022, it consists of 22 people, including visiting researchers from Russia and Ukraine to whom we have provided a safe space to work.

EU – RECLAIMING THE FUNDAMENTALS

We continued to advocate that the accession process must not be a goal in itself but a means to achieve essential progress in the further democratization and organization of the Serbia, based on the rule of law. The BCSP team conducted a series of advocacy visits to key EU capitals (Berlin, Paris, The Hague, Brussels) where, through meetings with decision makers and organizing public events, we sought to ensure commitment to the enlargement policy with a focus on the quality of democracy in Serbia and the rule of law. In addition, through the Coalition prEUgovor, we continued to monitor Serbia’s progress in Cluster 1.

FOREIGN POLICY

We organized the first Belgrade Security Conference (BSC) under the title “Authoritarianism as a Cause of War and a Duty to Resist.” During the two days and 16 panels, the conference brought together more than 400 in-person participants and over 80 speakers from more than 20 countries, ensuring that in Belgrade, in moments of key geopolitical turmoil, there is space for an open debate on the most important foreign policy and security topics. During the previous year, we analyzed the attitudes of the citizens of Serbia on foreign policy and the relationship with the great powers, published an analysis of Russian influence in Serbia, as well as researched the impact of Chinese investments on the everyday life of citizens in Smederevo, Bor and Zrenjanin.

REGIONAL RESEARCH

We launched a new regional initiative – the Balkan Defense Monitor, an independent and comprehensive source of information on defense issues at the regional level. We have continued to analyze the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and to offer recommendations on how to improve that process in a potential future crises. Also, we initiated a discussion on the factors of radicalization and resiliance to violent extremism. State capture remains in the focus of our work, but we have also started researching new topics such as digital and energy security.

EDUCATION

Education remains an important priority in our work. So far, twenty seven generations of interns have become part of our community. We have also launched an educational program for 60 young people from Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to form a network of young leaders who will cooperate with the aim of improving our societies.

SUPPORTING ACTIVISTS

During 2022, BCBP continued to provide support to activists and whistleblowers. Members of the Civil Committee for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Whistleblowers provided assistance in 30 cases of pressures and attacks on activists throughout Serbia.

BCSP IN NUMBERS

• BCSP research findings and analysis appeared in the media over 1,700 times during 2022.
• BCSP team organized around 20 public events.
• During 2022, BCSP published around 50 publications, short analyses and infographics, as well as around 40 video stories on different topics.