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ABOUT PRAXIS

Praxis is a national non-governmental organization established in 2004 in Belgrade that protects human rights by providing legal protection and advocating for elimination of systemic obstacles in access to rights.

Praxis acts in the area of status and socioeconomic rights, antidiscrimination, gender equality, migration, child rights and public administration reform.
 
In addition to providing free legal aid, Praxis achieves its goals through monitoring of  public policies, research, analysis and advocating for systemic solutions and the elimination of obstacles to accessing rights by raising awareness of the problems faced by marginalized and socially excluded communities attempting to integrate, educational outreach, publishing of reports, and providing expert support for reforms, as well as through networking and cooperation.

Vision

A society free from marginalization, where individuals can exercise their rights without discrimination.

Mission

Through a human rights based approach, Praxis aims to help vulnerable groups to secure and exercise their rights so that systemic obstacles may be removed and equality for all may be realized.   

values

Values on which Praxis establishes its work are: integrity, professionalism, responsibility, team work, creativity, persistence and sustainability in overcoming obstacles and problems, commitment to achievement of measurable and tangible results, oriented to target groups and their trust, solidarity and sensitivity for problems and needs of target groups, respect for their dignity and position, appreciation, promotion of difference, gender equality, independence from political or any other influence, openness to other civil society organizations, associations, institutions and individuals working for the same or similar goals and promoting the civil society values.

STRATEGIC GOALS

Praxis has defined a total of 6 strategic goals.

Praxis’ strategic goals referring to the obligation of respect for human rights and improved access to guaranteed rights of targeted groups are the following:

• Exercise of status, socioeconomic and other rights in accordance with international standards and principles of good governance through providing free legal aid, policy monitoring and advocating for elimination of systemic obstacles;
• Preventing and combating discrimination through raising awareness and education, providing free legal aid to victims of discrimination and advocating for systemic solutions;
• Achieving gender equality through providing free legal aid to survivors of domestic violence and improvement of sustainable solutions for implementation of regulations and policies;
• Improving the position of migrants through policy monitoring, administering free legal aid and advocating for systemic solutions in this area;
• improving the position of children through policy monitoring and advocating for systemic solutions in accordance with international standards in the best interest of the child;

Praxis’ last strategic goal refers to internal development and improvement of Praxis’ capacities:

• Continuous development of Praxis’ organizational capacities (personal and professional development of individuals, improvement and development of good practice and communication).

Programme areas AND key activities

Praxis’ programmes have been defined as a way to respond to current needs and problems in the area of status and socioeconomic rights, protection from discrimination, gender equality, the rights of the child, as well as protection of the rights of migrants.

Over the years, Praxis has developed cooperation with beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders within Serbia and abroad. Praxis will continue cooperating with formal and informal, national, regional and international networks and coalition of civil society organizations, experts and institutions. Development and establishment of new strategic partnerships will be one of Praxis’ priorities in the following period.

We have identified five key activity areas:

• Provision of free legal aid
• Monitoring of policies, regulations, strategies and legislation
• Research to produce new information and to help shape our programmes
• Awareness raising and advocacy to strengthen knowledge base to bring about change in attitudes, actions, policies and laws
• Capacity building and education to brainstorm, create, implement and follow through with ideas and actions in order to have sustainable change
  
  

A word on the term "praxis" 

The name praxis comes from an ancient Greek word which means action. It also means to translate an idea into action: "a hard theory to put into practice".

The Assembly consists of all members of Praxis. The Assembly convenes regularly once a year. Annual Assembly sessions are convoked and prepared by the Board of Directors.

EXTERNAL MEMBERS

Jelena Hrnjak, President

Jelena Hrnjak is a women's and human rights activist, who believes in the strength of civic actions as the key in fight for equality. She is committed to direct support and long-term assistance to women and children, victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence. As a Programme Manager of NGO Atina, Jelena has been managing the work of the organization for the past 11 years, particularly its comprehensive program of social inclusion for human trafficking victims. Together with her colleagues, she founded a social enterprise Bagel Bejgl, a women's entrepreneurial idea, with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of Atina’s recovery programs for victims of trafficking, but also providing women who come from the hard-to-employ category and vulnerable social groups a place for practice and economic empowerment.

Jelena is actively involved in building capacities of other civil society organizations, as well as institutions, in the field of combating human trafficking, exploitation of children, and promotion of anti-discrimination standards and policies that would lead to the elimination of causes of violence and inequality. She is considered one of the most experienced professionals in the field of combating human trafficking in Serbia, especially when it comes to programming and providing support to children who have survived sexual exploitation and child marriage.

Within the refugee crisis, that escalated in Europe in 2015 when over a million refugees passed through the Balkan transit route, Jelena insisted on a gender perspective and gender approach to the challenges refugee women and girls have been facing, especially in responding to gender-based violence and human trafficking these women suffered.

From a perspective of implementing policies to improve the position of the most vulnerable women and children, Jelena Hrnjak gave her contribution through active participation in creating standards of protection services in the field of human trafficking, as well as in developing local and national networks of institutions supporting structured and effective identification and protection of victims of trafficking, especially children.

Jelena has also, for almost a decade, worked as a journalist in Switzerland and Serbia, and graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade. She is a member of the Act Now international expert working group against exploitation and human trafficking based in Vienna. She is an alumnus of the BFPE School of Political Excellence, as well as the Vital Voices program of the Global Partnership from the USA. Jelena is also the editor, author and co-author of numerous researches, analyses, and newspaper articles on the topic of human and women's rights protection.

Torgeir Hannas, Member

Torgeir Hannas is a senior manager with experience from both the non-profit and private sector.

From 1999 to 2001 he acted as the head of the reconstruction programs in BiH for the Norwegian Refugee Council facilitating return of IDP’s. From 2001 and the following 11 years the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs seconded him to lead IMG projects and programs across the former Yugoslavia. In 2012, Torgeir established their new country office in Myanmar, while preparing and launching multi-million Euro EU-funded projects.

Today, Torgeir is a partner and manager at Brooks Hannas & Partners, a Serbian-based company with mainly foreign clients operating within consulting and management in the environmental sector. Torgeir have a background from environmental technology at the University in Agder, Norway.

Ivanka Kostić, Member

Ivanka Kostic is a lawyer with significant experience in the field of human rights and forced migration. She has been involved in many regional and international social initiatives and sits on the Board of Trustees of the European Network on Statelessness.

Ivanka was a founder and executive director of Praxis until the end of 2020.

Ivanka’s experience and professional focus lies mainly on the protection of human rights of the displaced, marginalized and socially excluded persons, members of the Roma national minority, and persons at risk of statelessness in Serbia and the Balkan region, through providing legal aid and advocacy for legislative change as well as advancing cross-border cooperation among the Western Balkan states and increasing connections internationally.

INTERNAL MEMBER

Vladimir Lukić, Member

Vladimir Lukic is Community and Outreach Coordinator at NGO Praxis.

He studied at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade.

Vladimir acquired over 20 years of professional experience working in the non-governmental sector, focusing on the protection of human and minority rights, in particular of refugees, IDPs and members of Roma population, through the provision of free legal assistance, monitoring of the implementation of relevant legislation and advocating for systemic changes, elimination of legal gaps and improvement of practice.

He has been with Praxis for over 19 years. Over the years of working on protection of rights of the vulnerable population in the field, Vladimir has established excellent cooperation with relevant institutions, CSOs and activists at the local level in Serbia. A special focus in his work has always been on resolving the issues relating to access to rights at the local level through advocacy activities, networking and meetings with relevant local self-government institutions and service providers, thus significantly contributing to extending Praxis network of associates and partners. 

His dedication to the work of Praxis and protection of the most vulnerable is rarely matched. 

FORMER MEMBERS

Marija Dražović, Praxis Policy and Research Coordinator

Nada Šoškić, Praxis Senior Legal Adviser
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period December 2006 - December 2020

Nikola Bodiroga, Expert
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period November 2018 - December 2021

Tamara Lukšić-Orlandić, Child Rights Expert
President of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2016 - June 2020

Vladimir Ćurgus Kazimir, Director of Ebart Media Archive
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2016 – November 2018

Vesna Petrović, Executive Director, Belgrade Centre for Human Rights
President of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2004 – June 2016

Vladimir Đerić, AHuman Rights Activist
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2004 – June 2016

Stojan Cerović, Director of Ebart Media Archive
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period November 2007 – November 2013

Jadranka Koceić, Journalist, Vreme weekly
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2004 - March 2005

Milena Gojković, Director, Micro Development Fund
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period May 2005 – May 2007

Ljuba Slijepčević, Praxis Senior Legal Adviser
Member of Praxis Board of Directors in the period June 2004 – December 2006

Marijana Lukovic has been appointed the Executive Director of Praxis as of January 2021. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, Department of English Language and Literature, and further developed professionally in the field of human rights, communications, fundraising and management.

Marijana has spent most of her professional career in Praxis, coordinating various projects, ensuring smooth implementation of programmes within Praxis’ mandate, identifying gaps and further advocacy opportunities. She has mainly been focused on the protection of human rights of vulnerable population groups in Serbia (IDPs, Roma population, refugees and asylum seekers) in the areas of status and socioeconomic rights, antidiscrimination, migration, child rights, as well as on the public administration reform and further development of civil society in Serbia.

MANDATE AND BACKGROUND

Praxis is a national non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 2004 in Belgrade, Serbia. We developed as an extension of the Civil Rights Project (CRP) that was implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Serbia from 1997 to 2004. The goal of the project was to enhance the protection of the civil rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), both in their places of origin and of temporary residence/exile. Preceding the withdrawal of the NRC from the region, Praxis was registered as an NGO in June 2004 as a part of the NRC/CRP exit strategy. In September 2004, it started its work as an independent domestic NGO. The strategic partnerships with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that were developed under the NRC have continued throughout Praxis development.

In the following years, in addition to providing free legal aid so that refugees and IDPs may exercise their status and property rights, Praxis also provided protection for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Praxis expanded its free legal aid services to other marginalized and socially excluded communities, particularly the Roma population. This legal aid helped these individuals to exercise their right to be recognized as a person before the law, the right to a nationality, the right to adequate housing, the right to health care, the right to social protection, the right to education and the right to employment. Praxis is especially focused on the prevention and reduction of statelessness. Praxis also took positive action to fight against discrimination, for respect for human rights and for the removal of systemic obstacles to access rights. Praxis also has been monitoring the public administration reform process, especially in the areas of accountability and transparency, and has been striving to improve the citizen’s participation in public policy-making and for openness in the work of public administration. In addition to providing free legal aid, Praxis has also monitored public policies, conducted research and analysis, advocated for the removal of systemic obstacles that prevent access to rights, and has been engaged in awareness raising campaigns about the problems faced by marginalized and socially excluded communities who are attempting to integrate. We have also participated in educational outreach, published reports and provided expert support for legal reform.

IVANKA KOSTIĆ, A FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRAXIS (2004 – 2020)

Ivanka Kostić is a senior lawyer with many years of experience in working in the civil sector, in the field of human rights and forced migration. She was a founder of Praxis and was its Executive Director from its foundation in 2004 until the end of 2020.

From 1997-2004, Ivanka worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on their legal aid project - the Civil Rights Project (CRP), from the very opening of the first NRC/CRP office in Serbia, until the departure of the Norwegian Refugee Council from Serbia and the Balkans. The project had two pillars or two basic types of activities, the provision of legal aid and advocacy in case of systemic obstacles in accessing rights.

Ivanka initially worked on the CRP as a Senior Legal Advisor, later she was leading the NRC/CRP office in Belgrade, and from 2002 she was managing the Civil Rights Project in Serbia.

As part of its exit strategy, the Norwegian Refugee Council offered the option of establishing an organization in Serbia that would continue working on the Project, which Ivanka agreed to implement, and together with a number of other colleagues from the Project, founded Praxis. In September 2004, Praxis began operating as a domestic NGO.

For more than 16 years, Ivanka led and developed the organization, with the aim of promoting the human rights of marginalized and socially excluded groups, displaced persons, members of the Roma national minority, residents of informal settlements, and other minority groups in Serbia through various activities. Amongst other things, these activities included free legal aid, advocacy for change of regulations or their application in practice, raising awareness of systemic problems in access to rights, research, monitoring of public policies, as well as through developing cross-border cooperation between civil society organizations operating in the Western Balkans and cooperation at the international level.

Ivanka was invited to become involved in the activities of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS) from the very beginning in 2012, and Praxis then became a member of ENS and its Advisory Board. Ivanka is a member of the Board of Trusties of the European Network on Statelessness.

Praxis has become a recognizable and respected organization, primarily due to its capable, professional and dedicated staff and members of the legal team that provide legal assistance in Praxis’ offices, but also in the field throughout Serbia, especially to those who are most in need of assistance, residents of informal settlements, the majority belonging to the Roma national minority, many of whom are not registered in birth registry books, and who are therefore at risk of statelessness, and lacking access to rights. By providing free legal aid in numerous cases, Praxis also gathered solid evidence of systemic obstacles, which regulations and practices need to be changed, and has used this for its advocacy.

From 2021, Ivanka Kostic will be continuing to cooperate with Praxis as an independent consultant on statelessness issues and advocacy activities. Ivanka will always remain a part of Praxis, and a support to the organization and its team.

KEY PARTNERS

Praxis collaborates with both independent institutions, such as the Commissioner for Protection of Equality and the Ombudsperson institution, as well as with relevant ministries and government stakeholders. Through its activities and outreach, Praxis has also established very good cooperation with local government bodies and public services throughout Serbia, as well as with members of the Roma community themselves.

Strengthening cooperation through networking with relevant stakeholders is the goal and guiding principle in our work. Our striving to connect with all relevant stakeholders has also led to membership in several coalitions and networks at international, regional and national levels. Praxis is a member of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS), the Western Balkans Legal Aid Network (WeBLAN), the Network of Organizations for Children of Serbia (MODS), the Coalition Against Discrimination, the NKEU Chapter 23, the National Coalition to End Child Marriage and the National Working Group for Monitoring of the Public Administration Reform (PAR).

Current Projects

Project title: Providing policy and law recommendations on civil registration and statelessness, direct support to Roma in need of civil registration and engaging in advocacy efforts regarding the registration of Roma without documents
Project period: June 18, 2024 – June 18, 2025
Donor: Council of Europe

Project title: And where is the youth?
Project period: May 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025
Donor: EU and Austrian Development Agency

Project title: Statelessness Index 2024 – Outreach and Engagement
Project period: April 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Improving access for Roma communities to employment opportunities in the hospitality industry
Project period: January 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024
Donor: Hilton Global Fund

Previous Project

Project title: Promoting tools to prevent and combat domestic violence in Serbia
Project period: 24. april 2023 – 31. decembar 2023
Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through Poradna pro občanství/Občanská a lidská práva

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Ending Roma Statelessness in the Western Balkans
Project period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Donor: Open Society Foundation through the European Network on Statelessness

Project title: Prevention and Elimination of Child Marriages and Economic Empowerment of Roma Women at Local Level in Serbia
Project period: November 1, 2021 – April 30, 2023
Donor: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Project title: Roma Equality through Increased Legal Access
Project period: September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2022
Donor: EU through Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

Project title: Strengthening Civic Activism for Better Public Administration in Kragujevac
Project period: June 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022
Donor: EU

Project title: Ending Roma Statelessness in the Western Balkans
Project period: January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Donor: Open Society Foundation through the European Network on Statelessness

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2021
Project period: May 7, 2021 – December 31, 2021
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Tomorrow Starts Today
Project period: December 21, 2019 - December 20, 2021
Donor: EU through the Civil Society Facility Programme 2018

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Improving the position of Roma Men and Women in the Labor Market in the City of Kraljevo
Project period: September 4, 2019 - March 3, 2021
Donor: EU

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2020
Project period: May 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Prevent and Reduce Statelessness and Protect Stateless People
Project period: March 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: January 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: January 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHthrough “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2019
Project period:April 8, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: March 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Advisory support to the Development of the handbook and training module for the CGC for vulnerable groups with the special focus on Romandex Update 2019
Project period: July 1, 2019 - November 15, 2019
Donor: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Project title: #StatelessJourneys Project
Project period: March 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: September 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: January 1, 2019 - August 31, 2019
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Improving the equality legal and policy framework in Serbia and monitoring implementation of equality norms and policies
Project period: January 19, 2017 – April 18, 2019
Donor:EU through EIDHR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Statelessness and Forced Migrations - Phase 1
Project period: February 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: March 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title:#RomaBelong National Advocacy 2018
Project period: March 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:European Roma Rights Centre – ERRC

Project title: Statelessness Index 2018
Project period:April 16, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Contributing to Public Administration Reform (PAR) in Kraljevo
Project period: June 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018
Donor:EU and co-financed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period:January 1, 2017 - February 28, 2018
Donor: Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017

Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: March 15, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHthrough “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title:Ending Childhood Statelessness
Project period:September 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: European Network on Statelesness

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Belgrade
Project period: August 15, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Research on Over-representation of Romani Children in the State Care System in Serbia
Project period: May 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016

Donor:ERRC

Project title: Research on the Situation of Roma Pupils in the Educational System of Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2015 – September 15, 2016
Donor: ERRC

Project title: Emergency Protection, Shelter and Assistance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
Donor: ECHO through NRC

Project title: PROACTION-Protection Against Discrimination of Asylum-Seekers and Unaccompanied Child Migrants
Project period: November 28, 2014 – May 28, 2016
Donor:EU

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: June 6, 2016 – July 31, 2016
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title: Institutional Support
Project period: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Donor:Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade

Project title: Strategic Litigation to Address the Issue of unregistered Birth in Serbia
Project period: April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016
Donor:ERRC

Project title: Sensitization of National and Local Media on the Position of Transgender Persons
Project period: October 1, 2015 – February 29, 2016
Donor:The Office for Human and Minority Rights

Project title: Hate Crime Prevention in CEE and Western Balkan Countries
Project period: September 1, 2014 – February 29, 2016
Donor: Visegrad Fund

Project title: Situation Analysis of the Refugees Treatment in Serbia and Possible Protection Concerns and Administrative Support to Needs Assessment Mission
Project period: September 15, 2015 – December 15, 2015
Donor:Norwegian Refugee Council

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period:January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Donor:UNHCR

Project title: SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Aid and Advocacy – Access to Rights and Combating Discrimination against the Roma
Project period: January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015
Donor: Civil Rights Defenders

Project title: Empowering Civil Society to Improve the Implementation of Anti-discrimination Laws in Serbia
Project period: May 20, 2014 – November 19, 2015
Donor: EU through EIDHR

Project title: We are Here Together - European Support for Roma Inclusion
Project period: September 5, 2013 – June 30, 2015
Donor: EU through OSCE

Project title: Position of Roma in Serbia
Project period: December 18, 2014 – February 16, 2015
Donor: Swiss Refugee Council

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: November 7, 2014 – 27 February, 2015
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: March 1, 2014 – October 31, 2014
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Initial Evaluation on Mediation in Serbia
Project period: May 1, 2014 – July 31, 2014
Donor:ERRC

Project title: Access to Social Welfare and Health Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the South of Serbia - Phase II
Project period: November 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014
Donor: Fondation Caritas Luxembourg

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: October 25, 2013 – December 15, 2013
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Paralegals in Serbia
Project period: August 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
Donor: Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

Project title: Testing the Implementation of the Ombudsperson’s Recommendations Regarding Vulnerable Persons
Project period: October 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
Donor: USAID

Project title: How to Conduct Situation Testing
Project period: April 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through Poradna pro obcasnvtí/Obcanská a lidská práva, o.s

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Contribution to Social Inclusion and Combat against Discrimination of Marginalized Population in Serbia
Project period:
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Access to Social Welfare and Health Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the South of Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2012 – May 31, 2013
Donor: Fondation Caritas Luxembourg

Project title: Capacity Building of the Platform on the Right to Adequate Housing
Project period: May 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: EU through TACSO

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbi
Project period: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Monitoring of Roma Inclusion in Practice
Project period: May 20, 2012 - September 20, 2012
Donor: Open Society Institute

Project title: Strengthening Capacity for Inclusive Local Development in South Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2012
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Human Rights and Social Inclusion versus Bogus Asylum Seeking
Project period: October 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012
Donor: The Belgium Immigration Office

Project title: European Good Practices - Advocacy Tool in Serbia
Project period: June 29, 2011 - April 28, 2012
Donor: European Union

Project title: Social Inclusion: Regional Support to Marginalised Communities
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Refugees and Asylum Seekers and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Contribution to Sustainability of Return of Roma from Sweden and Other Countries in Europe in Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2011
Donor: Swedish Migration Board

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Social Inclusion: Regional Support to Marginalised Communities
Project period: August 1, 2009 - January 31, 2011
Donor: EU through UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Refugees and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Refugee Legal Clinic - Practice of Law Students in Praxis
Project period: January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance Related to Personal Documents for Persons in the Process of Readmission in Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2008 - November 30, 2009
Donor: Swedish Migration Board

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Social Inclusion and Access to Human Rights for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in the Western Balkans
Project period: February 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
Donor: EU through UNHCR

Project title: Combating Social Exclusion: Universal Birth Registration in Serbia
Project period: April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Provision of Legal Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) through UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Refugee Legal Clinic - Practice of Law Students in Praxis
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: UNHCR

Projects: Legal Protection of Refugees, Displaced Persons and Asylum Seekers in Montenegro; Addressing Legal Concerns and Risk of Statelessness of Persons of Concern to UNHCR in Montenegro
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: Catholic Relief Services - USCCB

Project title: Support to Refugee/IDP Return through Legal Aid
Project period: June 6, 2008 - November 30, 2008
Donor: OSCE

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Research of Administrative Obstacles Preventing Roma Children to Access Education, Health Care and Social Welfare Services in Three Municipalities in Southern Serbia - Krusevac, Kragujevac and Pirot
Project period: October 1, 2007 – January 31, 2008
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Provision of Legal Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Donor: BPRM through UNHCR

Project title: Return Related Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs
Project period: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Support to the Repatriation and Reintegration Process of the Displaced currently in Serbia to Kosovo, Croatia and BiH
Project period: April 1, 2006 – January 31, 2007
Donor: European Agency for Reconstruction through Danish Refugee Council

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2006 – February 28, 2007
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Support to Refugee/IDP Return through Legal Aid within Regional Legal Aid Programme
Project period: 2006
Donor: OSCE

Project title: Return Related Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs
Project period: January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2005 – February 28, 2006
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees from Croatia and IDPs from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Support to the Repatriation and Reintegration of Refugees Currently in Serbia to Croatia and B&H
Project period: September 1, 2004 – September 30, 2005
Donor: European Agency for Reconstruction through Danish Refugee Council

Project title: Legal Assistance Related to Documentation and Information Dissemination to Refugees from Croatia and IDPs from Kosovo
Project period: September 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004
Donor: UNHCR through Norwegian Refugee Council

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: September 1, 2004 – February 28, 2005.
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Norwegian Refugee Council

City Administration of Nis is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Pristina, Podujevo, Glogovac, Obilic, Lipljan and Kosovo Polje. Registry Office is located in Nis, in the building of the municipal administration of the Red Cross Municipality, 89 12th of February Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday, except Monday, from 8am to 1pm. A request for issuance of documents can be submitted in person or by a close family member, adoptive parent or guardian. Registry books are not automated. Due to a great number of requests for issuance of documents, registrars are not able to issue documents on the same day, but one has to wait for documents for a few days. Queues of people waiting to submit requests are long, one has to wait from early morning and for a few hours. Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 30 days. If documents are needed for one of the purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees, parties are exempt from paying the republic administrative fee, but still obliged to pay city administrative fee for issuance of documents.

Deadline for proceeding in cases of reconstruction of destroyed or lost registry books has been extended until the end of 2010. Administrative body has not yet received the instructions from the Ministry of Interior on proceeding upon requests for re-registration in citizenship registry book.

City Administration of Kragujevac is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Pec, Istok and Klina. Registry Office is located in Kragujevac, 76/A Svetozara Markovica Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday from 8am to 3pm, while the department competent for proceeding in cases of re-registration in registry books works with parties until 1pm. Registry books are automated and documents are issued within an hour from submitting a request. The Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 10-15 days. It is also possible to submit a request for issuance of documents through a virtual registrar, with costs of delivery of valuable mail being additionally charged. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for issuance of documents needed for purposes prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees. There are no city administrative fees for issuance of registry books excerpts.

Due to errors made in entering records in the period when registry books were administered in Kosovo, in some cases, records in registry books are either incorrect or incomplete and it is necessary to conduct the procedure of correction of data in registry books.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.

City Administration of Kraljevo is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Kosovska Mitrovica, Srbica, Zubn Potok, Vucitrn, Zvecan and Leposavic. Registry Office is located in the building of City Administration in Kraljevo, 1 Jovana Sarica Square.

Registry Office works every weekday from 8am to 3pm, while the department competent for proceeding in administrative cases works with parties until 2pm. Registry books are automated and requests submitted before 10am are solved on the same day, and the documents issued after 1pm. Requests for issuance of documents can also be submitted via mail or through virtual registrar, with the documents being delivered within 15-30 days. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for issuance of documents needed for purposes prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees. There are no city administrative fees for issuance of registry book excerpts.

Due to errors made in entering records in the period when registry books were administered in Kosovo, in some cases, records in registry books are either incorrect or incomplete and it is necessary to conduct the procedure of correction of data in registry books. Such requests are solved within 10 days. In case errors occurred due to incorrect entering of the records from registry books into automatic processing records, the data are corrected immediately.

City Administration of Krusevac is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Prizren, Orahovac, Suva Reka and Gora. Registry Office is located in Krusevac, 6 Kosanciceva Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday except Friday, from 8am to 3pm. Requests for issuance of documents submitted in person are solved on the same day, but only for persons whose data have been automated. If the data are not in the automated registry books, one has to wait for days for issuance of documents. Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through post, but the Registry Office proceeds upon such requests very slowly. Request for issuance of documents cannot be submitted through the virtual registrar. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Registry Books, but does charge the costs of city administrative fees for issuance of documents.

The Registry Office was not working from mid-March to mid-April 2010, due to arrest of registrars who took money from parties to conduct procedures of registration in registry books and issue registry book excerpts. From mid-January 2010, in most cases the Registry Office has not been proceeding upon submitted requests for issuance of documents or initiated administrative procedures. Since April, they have only been proceeding upon newly submitted requests, while they have not yet started proceeding upon requests submitted earlier.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.

City Administration of Jagodina is competent for administering registry books for the municipalities of Djakovica and Decani. Registry Office is located in the premises of the municipal authorities building, 6 Kralja Petra Street.

Registry Office is open from 7am to 3pm. Requests for issuance of documents are submitted by 2pm, but in case a large number of requests are submitted in a day, the documents are issued the next day. In that case, the Registry Office delivers the documents via mail, if the party states that in the requests and gives the address. The Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 15-20 days. It is not possible to issues requests through virtual registrar. Registry books are not automated, except for persons who have conducted procedures of re-registration in registry books. Neither republic nor city administrative fees for issuance of documents are charged for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Registry Books.

The deadline for reconstruction of destroyed or lost registry books has been extended until 2015 and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books. 

City Administration of Leskovac is competent for administering registry books for the municipalities of Urosevac, Kacanik, Stimlje and Strpce. Registry Office is located in Leskovac, 9/11 Pana Djukica Street.

Registry Office works every weekday from 7am to 3pm. Upon requests for issuance of documents submitted buy 10am, the Registry Office proceeds within the same day. Republic administrative fees are not charged for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees, but the party has to pay costs of city administrative fees. Registry books are not automated. Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through the virtual registrar. Registry Office proceeds upon requests submitted by mail or through the virtual registrar within 15 days.

The Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry book.

City Administration of Vranje is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Gnjilane, Vitina, Kosovska Kamenica and Novo Brdo.  Registry Office is located in Vranje, 3 Save Kovacevica Street.

Registry Office works every weekday from 7:30am to 3pm and issues the documents on the same day if the requests are submitted by 1pm. Almost all records are automated (registry books from the municipalities of Novo Brdo and Kosovska Kamenica are completely automated, while approximately 60% of the data from registry books from the municipalities of Gnjilane and Vitina are automated). Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through virtual registrar. Neither republic nor city administrative fees are charged for issuance of documents for the purposes prescribed by the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.