In 2026, Serbia marks 25 years since the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) entered into force for the country. To mark the anniversary, the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA) and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade organised a round table bringing together researchers, public institutions, national minority councils and civil society representatives to discuss European standards, their implementation in Serbia and the challenges ahead.
Opening the round table, Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, noted that minority protection is closely connected to the quality of democracy, equality, participation in public life and social cohesion. He recalled Serbia’s progress in developing legislation and institutions, while stressing that the key challenge is ensuring that rights are effectively implemented and relevant in people’s everyday lives.
Discussions covered the legal and institutional framework, political participation, minority languages and education, as well as intersectionality, demographic change and new minority experiences. Participants also considered how to strengthen co-operation between national minority councils and public institutions, and how to support the preservation and use of minority languages.
The round table was held against the background of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention’s Fifth Opinion on Serbia, adopted in 2024. The Opinion highlights the importance of effective implementation, including meaningful participation in public affairs, access to minority-language education and services, and continued efforts to address discrimination and socio-economic exclusion affecting Roma communities.
In his address, the Head of Office also underlined the role of reliable data and independent research in shaping effective public policy. He stressed the importance of close collaboration between public authorities, minority representatives, academia and civil society, and identified priorities for the next decade: moving from formal guarantees to effective rights, strengthening participation and institutional dialogue, investing in minority languages and education, and addressing discrimination and exclusion.
The Council of Europe’s action “Combating discrimination and promoting diversity in Serbia” supports minority rights and stronger anti-discrimination mechanisms. The round table also provided an opportunity to present its initiative to promote tolerance and diversity at local level, using the methodologies of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities programme to help local authorities build inclusive and resilient communities.
The event concluded with a discussion on recommendations for 2026–2036. Participants emphasised the continuing relevance of the Framework Convention and the need for sustained co-operation to ensure that diversity is respected and minority rights are fully realised.
