Back Building trust and safety: Serbia adopts new child protection evidence-based Policy Recommendations

Building trust and safety: Serbia adopts new child protection evidence-based Policy Recommendations

An important milestone in making learning spaces safer and more inclusive has been achieved in Serbia by adopting evidence-based Policy Recommendations for improving the child protection system.

Recommendations come as a result from the largest national research ever conducted on peer violence, bullying, and students’ well-being, carried out in late 2024 within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Prevent Bullying and Peer Violence in Schools”, funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. The study engaged more than 5200 students, parents, and school staff from 77 primary and secondary schools across Serbia, providing a comprehensive foundation for shaping national education policies.

The findings and policy Recommendations were presented at a high-level conference in Belgrade, which brought together policymakers, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organisations, national and international experts, and school practitioners.

In his keynote speech, János Babity, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, emphasized that it is necessary to transpose evidence into action, saying that “meaningful change begins in the classroom – in the relationship of trust between teachers and children, in small acts of care, in the courage of listening, and in believing that all children deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported.”

Ms Snežana Vuković, Assistant Minister within Ministry of Education, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the national framework for child protection and underlined the importance of coordinated, cross-sectoral action, noting that “the protection of children against violence needs the joint engagement of all institutions in their efforts to make sure that all children have an opportunity to grow up in a secure and caring environment.”

Ms Anke Konrad, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia, highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Germany and the Council of Europe, stressing the importance of translating the results of joint efforts into concrete policy action.

Ms Vesna Atanasova, Head of Unit within Education Department at the Council of Europe, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education and national partners for their continued cooperation in implementing projects that have played an important part in bringing education reform in Serbia in line with best practices in Europe.

All participants agreed that violence prevention needs to remain a high priority at a national level. Attending this event allowed a shared vision of ensuring that all children in Serbia have a chance to learn in an environment where they feel secure, respected, and supported to achieve their full potential.

The Comprehensive Report and the Summary of Key Findings are now publicly available on the Council of Europe website.

This project is implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany. It is carried out in co-operation with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Republic of Serbia from January 2024 to December 2025.


 

Belgrade 5 November 2025
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What is the objective of the project?

The project seeks to support the prevention of bullying and peer violence in schools in Serbia and strengthen safe school environment based on European standards and practices.


What are the key results?

1.    Education policy makers, institutions and professionals apply in practice the existing policy framework to prevent bullying and peer violence in schools

2.    Teachers and educational staff apply new knowledge and professional competences that better contribute to safe school environments


Who benefits from the project?

  • The Ministry of Education, the Institute for Improvement of Education, the Institute for Education Quality and Evaluation and other education institutions
  • Primary and secondary schools in Serbia including teachers and school management, students, parents and their communities

 

How this will be achieved?

  • National assessments on the wellbeing of students, cyberbullying and other forms of violence to identify key areas for intervention
  • Policy recommendations to improve safe school environments through a participatory process involving major education stakeholders
  • Policy roadmaps outlining short-term, mid-term, and long-term actions to prevent bullying and peer violence in schools
  • Existing Council of Europe resources, tools and methodologies on preventing bullying and cyberbullying and peer violence tailored to the Serbian context and put in practice in the by relevant education institutions and professionals 


Project information

The project is implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by Germany. The project is implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Education from January 2024 to December 2025.

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