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Child and family protection
Only 40.6% of the total number of children formally eligible are the recipients of child allowance. The number of home care for children services has been reduced by half over the last three years.
Long-term care
Public expenditures for long-term care for the elderly amount to 0.51% GDP. Elderly persons in need of support predominantly rely on their family – 78% in total. Additionally, 13% of the elderly population rely on the help of relatives, neighbours and friends. Paid assistance is only available to a few (2.3% of the elderly), while assistance organized by the state to even fewer (0.7%of the elderly).
Pensions policy
Budget transfers intended to cover the total deficit for pension and disability insurance are high and comprised nearly a quarter of budget expenditures in Serbia in 2013, i.e. 40% of the income of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of the Republic of Serbia.
Poverty and social assistance
The programme of financial social assistance in Serbia covers between 4 and 5% of the total number of families with one or two children, and nearly 38% of families with more than four underage children, indicating their extreme poverty.
Social protection services
The expenditures on account of social protection services in Serbia total 0.06% GDP and/or 10 times less than the expenditures for social protection in residential institutions. The distribution of social protection services has remained at the same level over the last three years.
Education
The majority of Serbian municipalities fail to finance additional support measures for children requiring support in the inclusive education system as proposed by the municipal inter-sectoral commissions.
Good governance
А lack of trust in Serbia is caused by poor operation of the political system and institutions. The degree of mistrust in the political and legal system in Serbia is very high, amounting to between 75% and 80%, and is independent of the amount of citizen income. The lack of trust in local authorities is additionally pronounced.
News
The EXIT project explores the concept of “Left Behind Places” in territorial inequalities
2.06.2023.
EXIT is a European research initiative aiming to explore the manifestations, root causes and implications of socioeconomic inequalities within and between areas that are often referred to as “left behind”. The project – involving seven universities and four civil society organisations from eight countries – will propose ways to tackle such territorial inequalities through a rigorous action-researc ...
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Analysis of the Status of Youth at Risk, with Recommendations for Improving their Social and Economic Inclusion

The Center for Social Policy, with support from NALED, conducted the Analysis of the Status of Youth at Risk including recommendations for improving their social and economic inclusion. The analysis was prepared under the project Strong Youth – Social Inclusion and Economic Sustainability of Youth at Risk, implemented by NALED with the Foundation SOS – Children’s Village Serbia, in partnership with the German Hermann Gmeiner Foundation. The project aims at improving the employability of disadvantaged youth, supporting professional development of youth necessary for independent living and stimulating their engagement in civil society. The analysis contains a review of existing support measures within the employment and social protection system intended for youth leaving the social protection system, as well as young Roma persons.

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Conference: Exploring sustainable strategies to counteract territorial inequalities from an intersectional approach
Conference: Exploring sustainable strategies to counteract territorial inequalities from an intersectional approach
12.09.2024.
The EXIT project is pleased to invite you to the event “Navigating Left-Behindness: Exploring Sustainable Strategies to Address Territorial Inequalities from an Intersectional Approach” taking place on 20 September 2024 in Brussels. Join us for a vital conversation on tackling territorial...
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Advancing the EU Child Guarantee in the Western Balkans: A Strategic Pillar of the Regional Growth Plan
Advancing the EU Child Guarantee in the Western Balkans: A Strategic Pillar of the Regional Growth Plan
26.06.2024.
The Future of the Welfare State in the Western Balkans, a regional network which gathers think tank organizations and social policy researchers, is urging the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the governments of the Western Balkans to endorse and support...
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Support for Families of Informal Waste Collectors - Training for Family Assistants
Support for Families of Informal Waste Collectors - Training for Family Assistants
29.05.2024.
The first training intended for the selected family assistants from 12 local self-government units, who will provide support for families of informal waste collectors during the next 18 months, was held on 23-24 May 2024 in Belgrade. The training is being implemented by UNICEF and Center for Social Policy, with support…
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Support for Families of Informal Waste Collectors - Training for Family Assistants
Measuring Poverty – theoretical concepts, Status and Recommendations on Serbia

The conceptual definition and measurement of poverty are important for identifying the scale and causes of disadvantage, as well as for the formulation of social and economic policies and measurement of their impact. Absolute consumption poverty is still high in Serbia and, as long as this – by European standards extreme – form of poverty exists, it should continue to be monitored as one of the key poverty indicators.

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From Media
Our strategies are just wish lists
Our strategies are just wish lists
18.02.2016.
VREME, 18.2.2016. - The State makes us pay contributions up to the level of four and five average wages, and then it says: sorry, I am short at the moment; it doesn’t make a difference if you paid in more money. The logic of insurance is – if you paid four times more, your pension should be four times higher. How can we…
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Trust as a Precondition for Successful Reforms
Trust as a Precondition for Successful Reforms
30.06.2016.
Various international studies show that the income level, although important, is not the most important determinant of life satisfaction in a particular society. This rule is applicable only in very poor societies where higher income means meeting basic needs. When society meets a certain minimum – social trust gains advantage…
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World Bank: Social Capital, Trust, and Well-being in the Evaluation of Wealth
World Bank: Social Capital, Trust, and Well-being in the Evaluation of Wealth
12.07.2016.
A key message from our analysis is that economists have tools that permit us to value trust as an asset, and the evidence we present suggests that social capital as a source of well-being is a major contributor to social welfare – indeed, as large as or larger than produced capital in many economies. The value of social…
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PUBLICATIONS
Long term care comprises of health and social care service provided at home or in institutions to individuals in need of support in performing activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). It is expected in the future, especially due to population ageing, that the state will have a more pronounced role in providing long term care. This study analyzes the challenges and offers possible solutions in the area of long term care.
The family is the main source of a child’s security, protection and wellbeing. A significant element of a child’s security is social care and in today’s family environment it gains in importance for children. Very different positions exist regarding the role of the state and society in the area of social care. The study on the analysis of cash benefits provides possible options for changing and enhancing the existing concept.
Guiding Principles
Policy development

Our aim is improvement of key reform legislation and strategic frameworks that create a cohesive society and an effective and efficient welfare state.

Support to the most vulnerable

The focus of public policies should be improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable in the society: children, youth, elderly, and persons with disability, Roma, women, refugees and IDPs.

Evidence-based policy making

CSP advocates that public policy decision making should be based on independent research of key policy issues

Local perspective

Policy implementation heavily relies on local level capacities. We advocate that the local perspective is included in policy development and that local capacities are constantly enhanced.

Quality

CSP research products are regarded as high quality – they are cited in relevant papers and reports and used by policy makers.

Zero-tolerance to SEA

Center for Social Policy (CSP) takes a strong commitment against sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) with focus on children. The commitment is a result of long-term CSP collaboration with its partners and cooperation with UNICEF. CSP SEA policy of zero-tolerance is defined through the internal rulebook on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse including protection of children. The rulebook outlines the SEA policy’s roles, responsibilities and standards ensuring data privacy. CSP established a team for addressing the SEA incidents. The incidents that can be reported on office@csp.org.rs.

Kralja Milana 7, 11000 Beograd, Srbija
Tel: +381 11 3242938
Fax:+381 11 3242938
email: office@csp.org.rs
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