Description
GIZ and SDC developed this project based on CEVES„ advocacy activities in the field of inclusive development reforms. In order to initiate social dialogue on Serbia's development priorities, CEVES coordinated the Economic Pillar of the “SDGs for All„ platform — a multi-sectoral initiative that enables inclusive dialogue between civil society, academia, the private sector, media, and citizens, with the aim of aligning the country's development strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Partners on the platform included the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation and the Belgrade Open School.
CEVES' Role and Results
Phase 1 (2020–2022):
• Led the national dialogue on sustainable economic development (expert workshops, national conferences, and stakeholder consultations)
• Identified priority economic policies
• Coordinated the development of the first SDG Priorities Report, which contributed to Serbia's National Development Plan
• Launched the first SME100 EXPO event, laying the groundwork for the future SME100 Expo platform (see above)
Phase 2 (2022–2025):
Through the flagship initiative „SMEs at the Core by 2030,“ CEVES advocated for policies targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, organized two SME100 EXPO events (2023–2024) with hundreds of participants, and launched the „SME Barometer“ to track SME-led initiatives and policy impact, in partnership with TOC to include the local level.
Types of Services Provided
• Leadership and coordination of the platform's Economic Pillar
• Policy research and development, including the platform's first SDG Priorities Report
• Organization of national conferences, thematic workshops, and SME100 EXPO events
• Advocacy and strategic communication through the „SMEs at the Core by 2030“ initiative“
• Development and implementation of the SME Barometer for impact monitoring
• Stakeholder mapping and support for multi-level inclusive dialogue
• Partnership with TOC for local inclusion and localization of SDGs
• Expansion of activities through local consultations in Pirot, Knjaževac, and Sombor, integrating SDG priorities into the municipalities' medium-term development plans
• Contribution to aligning Serbia's National Development Plan with SDG goals and indicators
