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    Summary of country programme

    UN Women’s Serbia Strategic Note 2022–2025 stresses advancing gender equality and women's empowerment and gender mainstreaming through the European Union accession process, national budgets and development funds. Active in various regions, especially rural areas, the programme stresses supporting women's civil society organizations.

    Priority areas include advancing gender-responsive governance, ending violence against women and increasing the social inclusion of marginalized groups. Gender-responsive budgeting and institutional capacity-building, among other approaches, help to achieve programme objectives and guide effective implementation of gender equality reforms and policies.

    Major partnerships enhance programme effectiveness. They include collaborations with UN entities, local women's civil society organizations and donors such as the Government of Sweden and European Union. UN Women engages with international financial institutions and the private sector to leverage investment in gender smart approaches. Strategic Note direct funding plays a crucial role in sustaining impacts and mobilizing resources for gender equality. 

    Other resources (non-core)
    Country Indexes

    UN Women in action: Strategic insights and achievements

    View annual report narratives for the year

    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    In 2025, rural women and girls in Serbia strengthened their economic security and ability to recognize, prevent, and respond to gender-based violence, while awareness of discrimination and violence against rural women increased nationwide. This outcome contributed directly to SDG 5.2 on eliminating violence against women and girls and SDG 16.1 on fostering peaceful and inclusive societies.
    With UN Women’s financial and technical support, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, selected women’s civil society organizations and media partners raised awareness of discrimination and violence against rural women, while emphasizing economic empowerment as a prerequisite for women to exit violence and challenge entrenched gender norms that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
    More than 90 rural women and girls directly benefited from initiatives that strengthened livelihoods, knowledge, and confidence. Access to agricultural equipment, seeds, and greenhouses, along with study visits to neighboring countries, enabled women to develop sustainable, women-led businesses and increase decision-making power within their families and communities, reducing economic dependence and vulnerability to violence and discrimination.
    At the community level, the Commissioner’s media campaign reached over 400,000 people nationwide, including remote rural areas. By bringing stories of discrimination, violence, and women’s resilience into the public space, the campaign increased awareness of gender-based violence affecting rural women while also highlighting women’s agency and leadership. Communities increasingly recognized women-led businesses as valuable contributors to local economies, reinforcing more supportive attitudes toward women’s economic independence and reduced tolerance for violence. Recognition of media professionals for non-discriminatory reporting further strengthened national attention and reinforced more balanced public narratives.
    UN Women also supported 15 civil society organizations from remote areas of Serbia to serve as referral points for cases of gender-based discrimination and violence. Through mentoring, training, and knowledge-sharing, delivered in partnership with experienced women’s organizations Let’s Save the Village (Priboj) and Nadežda Petrovi? (?a?ak), local organizations improved coordination with institutions and enhanced the quality of support available to rural women. This approach not only improved access to services for women facing violence but also fostered peer support and cooperation among rural women, including in efforts to start and develop agricultural businesses.
    Through coordinated efforts and strong partnerships, UN Women Serbia addressed both systemic and societal barriers faced by rural women by combining practical support, awareness-raising, and capacity-building. This integrated approach advanced rural women’s safety, autonomy and economic empowerment, and established replicable models for equitable communities.
    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    In 2024, notable progress was achieved in addressing violence against women and girls in Serbia, a critical issue impacting countless lives and impeding gender equality, with efforts directly contributing to advancement of SDG target 5.2 on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, and SDG target 16.1, which aims to reduce all forms of violence and related deaths to attain peaceful and inclusive societies.
    The Serbia’s Judicial Academy, Ministry of Justice, and the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights have strengthened institutional responses to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) with a more survivor-centered and gender-responsive justice system. In ensuring a more informed, sensitive, and rights-based legal response, legal professionals now apply survivor-centered approaches in GBV cases. The next generation of legal professionals and judiciary representatives, including clerks and students, embed gender-sensitive judicial practices into the country’s legal system, fostering long-term institutional change. Misdemeanor court judges tackle misconceptions about domestic violence with improved practical application of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, enhancing the judiciary's ability to deliver timely and more effective protection measures for survivors.
    Advanced systemic changes in victim support services, ensures survivors receive the protection, guidance, and justice they deserve, while institutions uphold their rights and safety. An in-depth analysis of victim support services named “Assessment of the capacity of services for assistance and support to victims and witnesses of criminal acts in Serbia: challenges and recommendations” ensures survivors receive the protection, guidance, and justice they deserve, while institutions uphold their rights and safety.
    By challenging the societal norms that perpetuate GBV, the #UnlikeViolence campaign mobilized public awareness and advocacy against digital violence as a form of GBV, reinforcing the need for collective action to dismantle these harmful norms. As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the campaign’s highlight - the “Digital Reality” installation - exposed the real-life online abuse faced by prominent Serbian women, turning their experiences into a powerful demand for systemic change. Backed by public figures, media engagement, and civil society allies, the campaign reached over 10 million people.
    Through these coordinated efforts, UN Women Serbia addressed legal, systemic, and societal dimensions of violence against women, creating a replicable, comprehensive approach to fostering a safer and more equitable society for women and girls.
    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    Individuals, organizations, and institutions increased understanding of women’s rights to inheritance and negative consequences of resigning their right. This directly tackles established stereotypes and norms in society and encourages participants to question their attitudes and behaviours and within their own families.
    In terms of inheritance rights protection, 674 women received free legal support, while 15 CSOs and experts for gender equality and inheritance issues established a coalition for equal inheritance to empower women to exercise their rights, build economic independence and on public advocacy. Commissioner for Protection of Equality supported CSOs initiatives towards Chamber of Notaries in informing parties in probate process on the consequences of giving an inheritance declaration and towards National Employment Service to modify the criteria for business space ownership. Decision-makers (Governmental Coordination Body for GE, the Ombudsman, Deputy Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Minister for Social Affairs, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, and the two Members of Parliament) attended six advocacy meetings to discuss possible legal changes to protect women that already resign their rights and are in a negative economic position.
    As a result of direct support 438 high school aged youth, (250 girls) learned about negative impact of gender stereotypes related to inheritance rights, while 245 women from Zlatibor district improved knowledge on rights to inherit and raised awareness about negative consequences of stereotypes. The percentage of women and men from Zlatibor district who understand gender stereotypes increased by 21% (compared to the first survey conducted by Women’s Forum Prijepolje). More than 94% respondents now believe that women should accept inheritance equally. Additionally, 915,650 women and men engaged with 42 pieces of media contents on inheritance rights produced by TV Forum. Individuals viewed a social media campaign related to inheritance, ‘’What is my share’’ by WAKD, over 3 million times.
    Institutions increased their awareness of women’s inheritance rights; 90 government and civil society actors, academia, independent institutions, Chamber of Notaries, courts, and development partners were learned about stereotypes regarding women’s inheritance rights and economic violence as part of the National Conference marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. Attendees also accessed a Guide The right to inheritance - equal for all.
    To achieve these results, UN Women Serbia partner with independent institutions and CSOs to support locally led initiatives,
    Advancing SDGs: UN Women's impact and key achievements
    UN Women Serbia reached a total of 14 million 249 thousand 735 women and men in 2022. This number includes 8,749 direct beneficiaries (7,684 women and 1,065 men), 7,560 reached through training (5,723 women and 1,837 men), 8,025 reached at conferences (5,193 women and 2,832 men) and 14,225,401 reached through social media (a cumulative reach of UN Women through different campaigns).
    The outreach efforts were conducted in the framework of six projects through non-core resources funded by the European Commission, Swedish Development Agency (SIDA), UK Foreign Commonwealth Office, Government of Norway, UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and through various ad hoc initiatives funded by core resources. The activities conducted contribute to Cooperation Framework Outcome 2.1 Universal and inclusive access to quality health, social and protection services is improved and Outcome 3.1 All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments. The interventions were directed primarily to women, with a special focus on rural women, older women, women with disabilities, Roma women, youth and men and boys. The target audience reached comprised government institutions, civil society organisations, independent bodies, private sector and general public. Contributions were made to SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 16 and SDG 17 due to UN Women programmatic, normative and coordination interventions. The calculation of reach was done by using an innovative tool “Comms Tracker” UN Women Serbia developed, to measure the office’s impact through the above-mentioned categories and by using sex-disaggregated data. The tool was presented as a good practice and steps were taken for its replication regionally.

    Results and resources

    Outcomes (aligned with interagency frameworks)
    SRB_D_1.1

    All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality, social cohesion and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments (UNSDCF Outcome 3.1)

    SRB_D_1.1.1

    Gender equality mechanisms, key national institutions and women' NGOs have knowledge and skills to fulfill their mandates and advance gender responsive governance and gender responsive budgeting.

    SRB_D_3.1

    Universal and inclusive access to quality health, social and protection services is improved (UNSDCF Outcome 2.1.)

    SRB_D_3.1.1

    General and specialist service providers have knowledge to effectively deliver integrated service for protection of women and girls survivors of violence.

    SRB_D_3.1.1

    State institutions and CSOs ensure effective prevention and improved access to gender-sensitive quality services for survivors of domestic violence and access to economic and social opportunities.

    SRB_D_3.1.2

    Woman’s NGO have knowledge and skills to provide services to women and girls victims of violence.

    SRB_D_3.1.3

    The Ministry of Justice and Human and Minority Rights of Government of Montenegro, Commissioner for Protection of Equality, women CSOs and media have increased capacities to combat gender-based discrimination, stereotypes and violence against women and girls in targeted communities.

    SRB_D_3.1.4

    National and local authorities have knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to gender-based violence against women and girls, in public and private spaces and to improve accessibility of services.

    SRB_D_3.1.5

    Judiciary, institutions and service providers have skills and knowledge to recognize, prevent and respond to all forms of VAWG including digital violence.

    SRB_D_3.2

    UN system is accountable to measure, monitor and drive progress towards the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

    SRB_D_3.2.1

    UN Women effectively leads, coordinates and promotes accountability for the implementation of gender equality commitments across the UN system in Serbia

    Organizational effectiveness and efficiency
    SRB_O_1

    Assuring an accountable organization through principled performance

    SRB_O_2

    Advancing partnerships and resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale

    SRB_O_3

    Advancing business transformation

    SRB_O_4

    Nurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture

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    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeSRB_D_1.1
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_D_1.1
    OutcomeSRB_D_3.1
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_D_3.1
    OutcomeSRB_D_3.2
    Outcome result statement
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_D_3.2
    Download data
    Budget
    Expenses
    Outcome Result statement IATI identifier
    OutcomeSRB_O_1
    Outcome result statementAssuring an accountable organization through principled performance
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_O_1
    OutcomeSRB_O_2
    Outcome result statementAdvancing partnerships and resourcing; Effectively influencing for impact & scale
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_O_2
    OutcomeSRB_O_3
    Outcome result statementAdvancing business transformation
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_O_3
    OutcomeSRB_O_4
    Outcome result statementNurturing an empowered workforce and advancing an inclusive UN-Women culture
    IATI identifierXM-DAC-41146-SRB_O_4
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    Resources allocated towards SDGs

    View SDG data for

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    Our funding partners contributions

    Regular resources (core)

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    $158.21 K in total
    Other resources (non-core)
    $11.47 M in total
    Regular resources (core)

    Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

    $158.21 K in total
    2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    $18,900
    2021
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$18,900
    Development:$18,900(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $105,000
    2020
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$105,000
    Development:$105,000(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $34,313
    2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Total contribution:$34,313
    Development:$34,313(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    2021
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$18,900
    Total contribution$18,900
    Development$18,900(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2020
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$105,000
    Total contribution$105,000
    Development$105,000(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2019
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)$34,313
    Total contribution$34,313
    Development$34,313(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Other resources (non-core)

    Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

    $11.47 M in total
    2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
    European Commission $1,129,443
    2023
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,129,443
    Development:$1,129,443(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $1,129,443
    2022
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,129,443
    Development:$1,129,443(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $949,237
    2021
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$949,237
    Development:$949,237(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $1,197,670
    2020
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$1,197,670
    Development:$1,197,670(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $923,083
    2019
    European CommissionOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$923,083
    Development:$923,083(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Germany --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    --
    2021
    No data available
    $103,672
    2020
    GermanyOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$103,672
    Development:$103,672(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $8,294
    2019
    GermanyOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$8,294
    Development:$8,294(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Norway $695,303
    2023
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$695,303
    Development:$695,303(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $695,303
    2022
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$695,303
    Development:$695,303(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $491,238
    2021
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$491,238
    Development:$491,238(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $984,032
    2020
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$984,032
    Development:$984,032(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $90,390
    2019
    NorwayOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$90,390
    Development:$90,390(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Kingdom $316,624
    2023
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$316,624
    Development:$316,624(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $316,624
    2022
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$316,624
    Development:$316,624(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $45,172
    2021
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$45,172
    Development:$45,172(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $403,156
    2020
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$403,156
    Development:$403,156(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $87,289
    2019
    United KingdomOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$87,289
    Development:$87,289(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) $253,103
    2023
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$253,103
    Development:$253,103(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $253,103
    2022
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$253,103
    Development:$253,103(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $149,244
    2021
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$149,244
    Development:$149,244(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $18,664
    2020
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$18,664
    Development:$18,664(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $153,849
    2019
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$153,849
    Development:$153,849(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office $45,042
    2023
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$45,042
    Development:$45,042(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $45,042
    2022
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$45,042
    Development:$45,042(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2021
    No data available
    $24,337
    2020
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$24,337
    Development:$24,337(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $53,778
    2019
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeUnited Nations pooled fund
    Total contribution:$53,778
    Development:$53,778(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) --
    2023
    No data available
    --
    2022
    No data available
    --
    2021
    No data available
    $4,932
    2020
    United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$4,932
    Development:$4,932(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $192,908
    2019
    United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)United Nations organization
    Total contribution:$192,908
    Development:$192,908(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    Sweden $248,572
    2023
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$248,572
    Development:$248,572(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $248,572
    2022
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$248,572
    Development:$248,572(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $155,355
    2021
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$155,355
    Development:$155,355(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    $57,008
    2020
    SwedenOECD-DAC donor
    Total contribution:$57,008
    Development:$57,008(100%)
    Humanitarian:$0(0%)
    --
    2019
    No data available
    2023
    European Commission$1,129,443
    Total contribution$1,129,443
    Development$1,129,443(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$695,303
    Total contribution$695,303
    Development$695,303(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$316,624
    Total contribution$316,624
    Development$316,624(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$253,103
    Total contribution$253,103
    Development$253,103(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$45,042
    Total contribution$45,042
    Development$45,042(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$248,572
    Total contribution$248,572
    Development$248,572(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2022
    European Commission$1,129,443
    Total contribution$1,129,443
    Development$1,129,443(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$695,303
    Total contribution$695,303
    Development$695,303(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$316,624
    Total contribution$316,624
    Development$316,624(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$253,103
    Total contribution$253,103
    Development$253,103(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$45,042
    Total contribution$45,042
    Development$45,042(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$248,572
    Total contribution$248,572
    Development$248,572(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2021
    European Commission$949,237
    Total contribution$949,237
    Development$949,237(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$491,238
    Total contribution$491,238
    Development$491,238(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$45,172
    Total contribution$45,172
    Development$45,172(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$149,244
    Total contribution$149,244
    Development$149,244(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$155,355
    Total contribution$155,355
    Development$155,355(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2020
    European Commission$1,197,670
    Total contribution$1,197,670
    Development$1,197,670(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Germany$103,672
    Total contribution$103,672
    Development$103,672(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$984,032
    Total contribution$984,032
    Development$984,032(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$403,156
    Total contribution$403,156
    Development$403,156(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$18,664
    Total contribution$18,664
    Development$18,664(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$24,337
    Total contribution$24,337
    Development$24,337(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)$4,932
    Total contribution$4,932
    Development$4,932(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Sweden$57,008
    Total contribution$57,008
    Development$57,008(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    2019
    European Commission$923,083
    Total contribution$923,083
    Development$923,083(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Germany$8,294
    Total contribution$8,294
    Development$8,294(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    Norway$90,390
    Total contribution$90,390
    Development$90,390(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Kingdom$87,289
    Total contribution$87,289
    Development$87,289(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)$153,849
    Total contribution$153,849
    Development$153,849(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office$53,778
    Total contribution$53,778
    Development$53,778(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
    United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)$192,908
    Total contribution$192,908
    Development$192,908(100%)
    Humanitarian$0(0%)
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    Strategic plan contributions

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