IV FeNS Annual Assembly

Gradjanske Inicijative

The 4th Annual Assembly of the Federation of NGOs in Serbia(FeNS) was held in Belgrade, October 21-22, with participation of over 150 representatives of member-organizations.

The participants concluded that there is increasing less inclusion of the citizens in decision-making processes, i.e. that Serbian not only lacks public dialogue, but also basic information on processes going on in the country.

The Assembly agreed that FeNS should write a letter to Members of the Skupstina and the Government, to invite them to adopt the Law on Citizens Associations, as the last act of good-will towards the citizens. The Law has been stuck in parliamentary procedure for six years now.

If the current Skupstina and Government fail to adopt the Law by the end of their respective terms in office, FeNS will address the next Government and Skupstina to include the new Law in the Agenda as soon as possible.

In addition to the Law on Citizens� Associations, the participants concluded that one of the priorities over the coming period would be to adopt a set of laws on financial status of non-profit sector, and to work on institutional relations with state institutions, as well as creation of dialogue between civil society and official institutions.

Over the coming period of time, FeNS will direct its activities toward the preparation of a strategy for development of civil society, to secure faster and sustainable development of civil society.

FeNS was established in 2003. This is, so far, the largest network of NGOs, with 498 member-organizations from all parts of Serbia.