SUPPORT IN DELICATE TIMES

Switzerland is one of the top three bilateral donors to Serbia, and the only donor that has been continuously present in Serbia without interruption since 1991. During the times of COVID-19, Swiss support quickly found its way to those most in need

In times when health and wellness count more than ever, from the Swiss backing of the opening of Science & Technol Switzerland provided 600,000 euros to Serbia to help those ogy Park Belgrade, as well as similar new facilities in Niš and most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount Čačak. Such opportunities create space for young IT experts to was channelled through local partners, which resonates will develop their innovative projects into start-ups and contribute with the method of providing Swiss bilateral support to Serbia. to the prevention of the brain drain.

It pays equal attention to Serbia’s national goals related to The full list of supported areas is, of course, much longer

Agenda 2030 and the EU integration process, as well as to the and contains interventions related to the enhanced capacities needs of municipalities and their vulnerable groups – the elderly, of local municipalities, CSOs and citizens for inclusive decisionas well as men and women who lost their sources of income. making, as well as energy efficiency and the development of

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy Serbia 2018–2021, the smart cities. document that lays the ground for Swiss support, demon Over the past four years, the Swiss government has in strates this approach clearly. For example, Swiss support was creased its support to Serbia to up to 24 million euros annually, instrumental in improving the capacities making Switzerland one of the top three and resilience of key national public fi Even though Serbia bilateral donors, and the only donor to nance institutions, which is an important feature in times when national fiscal has progressed in the maintain a continuous presence without interruption since 1991. policies are tremendously challenged by EU integration process, Yet not all of these initiatives proved the impacts of pandemics. At the same time, Switzerland provides continuous there is room for strong to be equally successful. Building effi cient and effective democratic institu support to various measures related improvement in terms of the tions represents one of the key area of to the improvement of the business rule of law, freedom of press Swiss support to Serbia, but as the cur climate in Serbia at the national and sub-national levels, thus promoting and the overall process of rent state of affairs shows, much greater efforts are needed in that respect. As local economic development. Swiss democratisation Swiss Ambassador Philippe Guex put it support also contributes to making “no one has failed to see that the freedom

Serbian entrepreneurs more innovative and competitive, thus of media is imperfectly fulfilled, as the ruling party could rely on increasing their ability to become members of global trade and disproportionate coverage among most major media outlets, value chains, and creating more and better jobs. including the TV channels with a national frequency.” Indeed,

Swiss support is focused increasingly on the employability Serbia would benefit strongly from improved rule of law and of young people and dual education programmes, as well as increased freedom of press, both of which are key prerequisites on young entrepreneurs who benefit from the development for a society thar aims to secure unfettered democratic and of inclusive and improved market-orientated skills, which economic development. results in employment. Furthermore, Serbia benefits strongly In that respect, Serbia clearly has to learn from Switzerland.