UNDP is helping Serbia to tackle complex challenges, such as climate change, depopulation and governance. All three issues are relevant for achieving the SDGs and are covered by EU accession chapters and the EU’s Western Balkans’ Economic and Investment plan.
The reforms that Serbia needs to make on its EU path are aligned with progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global goals are neutral and designed by all countries to build a better future for everyone by ending poverty and inequalities, while ensuring prosperity and protecting our planet.
This is why working towards the SDGs is also helping Serbia to become an EU member. For example, UNDP Serbia is now working more closely than ever with the Government and the EU to tackle complex challenges like climate change, depopulation and governance. All three of these issues are relevant to achieving the SDGs and are covered by EU accession chapters and the EU’s Western Balkans’ Economic and Investment plan.
UNDP is helping local communities and businesses shift towards decarbonisation, the circular economy and de-pollution, thus supporting Serbia’s embracing of the Green Agenda and integration into the European market
In order for Serbia to realise the potential of the Green Agenda and integrate into the European market, UNDP is helping local communities and businesses shift towards decarbonisation, the circular economy and de-pollution. Together with the EU delegation, we are also working to scale-up green investments, while focusing on micro, small and medium-sized companies.
Another serious challenge for Serbia’s development is depopulation. Our Accelerator Lab is working with a broader ecosystem of actors to change the narrative and approach. Instead of a defeatist ‘nothing can be done’ attitude, we are focusing on maximising the existing human potential – investing in citizens’ education, skills and health from youth to old age and creating a favourable environment for all to contribute to the society and economy. In parallel, UNDP is advocating for public policies that adapt to the changing demographics.
Strong and inclusive governance is also needed for transformational changes that lead to both EU membership and achieving the SDGs. We are helping the Serbian Government to accelerate digitalisation, become more cohesive inside and wide open to the external world, to learn through experimentation and to treat data as a strategic resource.
