Strengthening regional cooperation on migration in the Western Balkans
01.06.2025
- 31.12.2027
In light of diversifying migration patterns and challenges with increasing regional dimensions, the migration policy priorities of Western Balkan governments are changing and the relevance of regional dialogue, coordination and cooperation is growing. This proposal seeks to promote coherent and effective regional governance of migration in all its multifaceted dimensions contributing to greater social cohesion and regional integration in the Western Balkans.
Municipal Development in Eastern Serbia
01.05.2021
- 30.04.2025
Culture for Democracy
15.07.2020
- 28.02.2025
The Project supports the independent cultural sector to contribute to improved social cohesion and tolerance at the local level. Cultural actors will be provided with resources to unleash their potential for triggering critical thinking and dialogue around topics of immediate relevance for their communities, as well as for creating networks that will empower and enable them to uphold a stimulating space for promoting pluralistic values and inter-cultural dialogue in Serbia.
From Education to Employment (E2E)
01.01.2020
- 31.12.2023
The E2E program supports direct labor market measures in 5 locations in Serbia, through Career Guidance and Counselling and an Opportunity Fund for companies and training providers targeting 12'000 young women and men, of whom 20% vulnerable. Based on Work Based Learning (WBL) that will generate a minimum of 625 decent jobs for young people, the program will contribute to the re-design of inclusive and innovative youth employment measures and policies.
Housing solutions for displaced persons

01.03.2019
- 31.12.2022
As a consequence of the war in the 1990s, over three million people were displaced both within and beyond the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. Twenty-five years after the Dayton Accords, the Western Balkans are still host to almost half a million vulnerable persons displaced by conflict in the former Yugoslavia. The Regional Housing Programme (RHP) aims to provide durable housing solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons in need.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Western Balkans |
Migration
Forced displacement (refugees, IDP, human trafficking)
|
01.03.2019 - 31.12.2022 |
CHF 1’555’000 |
Coordination and society-wide dialogue on implementing the 2030 Agenda in Serbia - SDGs for all
01.03.2019
- 31.07.2022
The project is a contribution to support an innovative society-wide dialogue on the priorities of Agenda 2030, which leads to citizen-oriented and inclusive policies that contribute to sustainable development. Civil society is supported to influence development priorities through multi-stakeholder platforms, the Government is strengthened to better coordinate and finance Agenda 2030 implementation and the quality and availability of data for Agenda 2030 implementation is improved.
Institutional Support to Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities
01.10.2018
- 30.09.2022
SDC is providing an institutional contribution to the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) to lead policy dialogue, advocacy and represent interests of local governments (LGs) before the central government in policy and law making. SCTM will promote decentralisation in Serbia together with the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government, and support its member LGs to implement adopted laws and pursue reforms, ultimately bringing benefits to all citizens, men and women, in all sectors governed by LG.
Policy advice for efficient VET reform in Serbia
01.06.2018
- 31.05.2022
Through this policy support to the Serbian Ministry of Education, governance mechanism of the new VET law will be put in place in a transparent and inclusive manner. State capacities will be able to evaluate the VET system. By increasing the outreach, the new system will be more need-based and available to all. All this will contribute to increased employment options for VET graduates. Partners are the Center for Education Policy (Serbian NGO) and the Swiss KOF.
Capacity building for Serbian municipalities

01.01.2018
- 30.09.2022
Switzerland is supporting the Serbian government’s public administration reform, which aims to make it more effective and accessible to both citizens and the private sector. SwissPRO project is being run in 99 municipalities (two-thirds of Serbia) to improve good governance, social inclusion and gender equality.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Serbia |
Governance Human rights Gender
Decentralisation
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Women’s equality organisations and institutions
|
01.01.2018 - 30.09.2022 |
CHF 7’990’000 |
Private Sector Development in South-West Serbia
01.06.2017
- 31.12.2023
The Private Sector Development (PSD) South-West Serbia Programme supports the development of more inclusive, equitable and non-discriminatory market systems, through interventions in the sectors of traditional products (raspberry and honey) and tourism. This will provide rural population and specifically young people and women, access to employment and income opportunities, as well as improved access to finance, social benefits and know-how.
Private and public actors working together: pilot education project in Serbia

01.10.2014
- 31.12.2023
The economic crisis weakened Serbia's competitiveness. Youth unemployment is relatively high and a large number of young Serbians are looking for work but employers cannot find qualified workers. An SDC project is taking an integrative approach to address both problems.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Serbia |
Employment & economic development
SME development
Employment creation
|
01.10.2014 - 31.12.2023 |
CHF 5’530’000 |
Refinancing Fund for Serbia: small and medium-sized enterprises loan programme for Serbia
01.10.2004
- 31.12.2022