BELGRADE – Representatives from 17 civil society organizations presented their progress and key achievements made through the Civil Society Forward (CSF) program as well as their future plans to assist and speed up Serbia`s accession to the EU. Civil Society Forward was a two-year, USD 7.75 million program implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and Trag Foundation and supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Speaking about the importance of the civil sector in Serbia, USAID Mission Director Azza El-Abd said, “Just as bridges, roads, legislative reforms, growing markets and a thriving private sector are key to a successful and thriving European Serbia, so is a strong and vibrant civil society.”

Over the past two years, Civil Society Forward has supported effective advocacy at the national level on issues of critical importance for meeting EU standards and advancing Serbia’s democratic development.

Other key note speakers included Richard Paisner, ISC Chair of the Board, Marina Savić, Member of the Business Leaders Forum Governing Board, as well as Biljana Dakić Đorđevic, Executive Director of the Trag Foundation.

The CSF Program promoted local advocacy across Serbia by strengthening local grass roots organizations to efficiently address citizens’ needs and concerns. Civil Society Forward continues to address the sustainability of the sector over the coming years through a variety of philanthropic tools made available to the civil society sector in Serbia.