Fund for an Open Society–Serbia

The Fund for an Open Society–Serbia seeks to advance European integration, the rule of law, good governance, education reform, as well as transitional justice, social inclusion, and human rights.

In the wake of Kosovo’s recognition as an independent state by a majority of EU members in 2008 and the ensuing backlash in Serbia, the fund has worked to combat resurgent nationalism and renewed calls for isolationism. It has led a coalition of civil society groups that has educated the public on the benefits of EU integration, which has helped to keep nationalists from regaining a political majority.

It has been a leader in helping to pass anticorruption policies that have increased budget transparency, bringing more citizen participation and public transparency to the budget process and improving monitoring mechanisms for the spending of foreign aid funds.

To help foster Roma equality and integration, the fund collaborates with both Roma organizations and the government to help implement the national agenda for the Decade of Roma Inclusion. In particular, the fund has focused on improving Roma education, and has sought to develop recommendations for reform that would significantly increase Roma access to quality schooling without requiring considerable additional public spending.