Back Serbia launches major drive against discrimination- spot, report, change

Serbia launches major drive against discrimination- spot, report, change

Discrimination can shut doors on anyone, whether because of age, gender, origin, disability, or other traits. But starting this month, those doors are being opened wide. Across Serbia, a new awareness urges everyone to speak out, spot injustice, and take action, echoing clear messages: "Don’t stay silent. Report discrimination. Spark change."

Discrimination continues to affect many areas of life in Serbia, including workplaces, schools, housing, and public spaces. According to reports from the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, groups most affected include older women, Roma, and people with disabilities, making their stories the focus of this initiative. By exposing everyday examples of bias, the initiative aims to make the invisible visible and encourage citizens to act.

Together with the Commissioner’s office, the European Union and Council of Europe have developed three powerful one-minute videos, each highlighting the struggles faced by these groups. With real-life scenarios and dramatic shots, the initiative reminds viewers that discrimination is prohibited by law and must be reported. Representatives of the Commissioner's office deliver vital information at the end of each video, empowering people to seek help.

The initiative’s messages are impossible to miss, with 150 billboards and city light panels placed across Serbia. Public figures Zejna Murkić and Olga Odanović lend their voices to the initiative, inviting everyone to scan QR codes to learn how to submit complaints and stand up for equality.

These videos will air on RTS and on social media, closing the gap between people and the law, and sending a clear signal: Serbia will not tolerate discrimination. Spot it. Report it. Change it.

The initiative has been developed within action "Combating Discrimination and Promoting Diversity in Serbia," which is implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Belgrade 17 August 2026
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What is the Horizontal Facility?

The joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative and one of the results of the Statement of Intent signed on 1 April 2014 by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, in which both Organisations agreed to further strengthen their co-operation in key areas of joint interest.

The programme is ongoing since 2016 and the third phase begun in January 2023 for a period of 48 months. The third phase of the programme (worth €41 million (85% funded by the EU, 15% by the CoE) keeps building on the results of the previous phases and it combines Beneficiary-specific and regional actions.

It enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.

Themes covered by the Horizontal Facility include:

  • strengthening justice
  • fighting corruption, economic crime and money laundering
  • promoting anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups (including LGBTI, minorities and Roma) and
  • promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media

The Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism that provides legislative expertise and policy advice within the Council of Europe system remains also an important part of the programme available to all Beneficiaries.

The Horizontal Facility relies on the Council of Europe’s unique working methods, whereby tailor-made technical co-operation activities are based on conclusions and recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring bodies highlight areas where improvements are needed in legislation and policies of the Beneficiaries to comply with the Organisation’s treaties and other standards.

 

Which Horizontal Facility actions are being implemented in Serbia?

In Serbia, the following actions are currently being implemented: