Policy Forum of the European Movement in Serbia is a project whose goal is networking of local governments, nongovernmental organizations, relevant international institutions, political parties, entrepreneurs and individuals in Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Southeastern Europe.
Information is a scarce resource in Serbia nowadays, which can be described as closed and isolated society. Democratic forces in Serbia need support. Workshops within the project will enable the creation of informal, cross-sectional networks on sustainable basis, which will provide information to interested partners (i.e. participants in the workshops), as well as to all reforms-oriented forces gathered around the European Movement in Serbia.
At present Serbia is witnessing catastrophic consequences of NATO bombing on economic, social, political and international aspect, likewise the rejection of international community to offer support for the reconstruction unless there is a change of the government. At the other hand, there are strong initiatives, primarily in Europe, for the inclusion of the whole region of Southeastern Europe in the integration processes, on economic, cultural and political level. Serbia and Yugoslavia, that is acters of civil society in it, should be prepared for such a perspective and develop cooperation with local partners in the country and abroad. Policy Forum of the European Movement in Serbia will work upon completion of such a goal.
Through the workshops, in cities where on previous local elections won democratic opposition as well as in Belgrade, it will be worked upon creation of the forum capable for the ongoing, rational exchange of ideas and opinions among people from political parties, country and international experts, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, the creators of public opinion, enterpreuners, young leaders, the representatives of minorities etc. The attempts will be make for creating certain solutions that will be sooner or later implemented. In this project attention will be paid to regions inhabited by national minorities, like Sandžak or Banat in order to prevent grave conflicts, like the one in Kosovo, in the future. The growning of citizens' participation in decision making would be encouraged in order to open rational, public discussion.
In addition, the activities will be carried for establishing ties between local communities and regions in Serbia with international institutions that have programs for the developement of Southeastern Europe, with organizations that support cross-border cooperation and especially with the organizations of European Movement in bordering countries.
