Building Serbia’s Capacity to Plan, Explain Reforms
Since the shift to a democratic government and a market economy in 2000, Serbia has experienced strong economic growth, low inflation, higher wages, and other positive developments–though not without some ups and downs. Nonetheless, opinion polls have consistently shown that the majority of citizens do not feel their quality of life has improved and do not have full faith in government institutions and their ability to lead Serbia towards a better future. One of the reasons identified for these negative perceptions is the lack of public information readily available from government institutions about reforms and economic trends. Without effective outreach, it is difficult for institutions to build support for much needed, yet often unpopular, reforms and foster confidence in government initiatives. Equally important, access to this information can empower citizens to participate more actively in bringing about positive changes.
As part of its Economic Growth program, USAID has supported the “Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES)”, a rising think-tank dedicated to advancing economic research and policy analysis in Serbia. The Center is staffed by a team of young professionals, enthusiastic researchers educated abroad, and others who share a broader perspective and are able to critically analyze the current state of affairs and challenge Serbia’s leaders. It also draws upon the resources of Belgrade University’s Economics Faculty, where its offices are housed.
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| Kori Udovicki, founder of the Center for Advanced Economic studies (second from left) with Vuk Djokovic, current Director of CEVES (third from right) and other members of the team. |
CEVES was established in late 2004 under the leadership of Dr. Kori Udovicki, an International Monetary Fund veteran who served in Serbia’s first democratic government as the Minister of Energy and Mines and later as Governor of the National Bank. Udovicki’s determination to systematically analyze economic trends and champion reforms set the course for CEVES to follow. “The energy with which she imbued our venture was key for the quality of our work and the success we have had up to now,” said Vuk Djokovic, the current Director of CEVES, following Dr. Udovicki’s move to a senior position with the UN in New York.
By launching the “The Quarterly Monitor” (QM) in January 2005, the first publication of economic and financial trends in Serbia, CEVES made a major contribution to understanding and informing the public about Serbia’s domestic economy. The QM gathers statistical data and provides objective and professional analysis and projections of future economic trends. It also monitors and charts trends in prices, employment and wages, and all other areas of economic life in Serbia, putting them into context within the regional and international economic situation. The QM plays an important role in improving the government’s ability to analyze economic trends and to formulate macroeconomic policies while, at the same time, it helps decision makers to communicate the impact of their policies by demonstrating the results to the public.
“Our mission is to transform Serbia into a thriving and dynamic society and we believe we are on the right track,” Vuk Djokovic, CEVES Director.
USAID’s support to CEVES has contributed to a more intensive and higher quality public discussion on macroeconomic policy in Serbia by providing better public information and education on key reform issues. Encouraging clearer articulation of the democratic process and the ‘reattachment’ of the political process to broad public interests helps citizens to become more informed and more involved in the decisions that affect their lives. As Serbia’s late Prime Minister Djindjic used to remind his fellow citizens, “Serbia cannot change if each of us does not change. Serbia is the sum of each one of us, the sum of all Serbian people.”
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