About us
The OSCE Mission to Serbia, under its Mandate, works with the country's authorities and civil society on issues related to democratic development, strengthening of the rule of law, and human rights protection, including of national minorities.
Overview
The Mission works to promote security, stability, rule of law and democratic development throughout the country. Established in 2001 at the invitation of the Serbian authorities, the Mission supports Serbia’s reform efforts in line with its OSCE commitments and in close co-operation with national institutions, civil society, international partners and other OSCE field operations.
Through expertise, capacity-building and policy support, the Mission helps Serbian institutions to advance and deliver transparent and accountable services that meet the needs of all citizens. Its work is guided by the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, linking the Organization’s politico-military, economic-environmental, and human rights dimensions, with the goal of fostering stability, trust and prosperity throughout Serbia and the wider region.
Figures
The Mission's offices, staff and budget at a glance
Offices
3 offices
The Mission has its headquarters in Belgrade, with two field outlets—in Bujanovac, southern Serbia, and Novi Pazar, southwestern Serbia.
Staff
125 FIXED-TERM STAFF
The Mission has 16 international and 109 local fixed-term staff (as of 31 December 2024). These figures include staff financed from extrabudgetary contributions.
Budget
€6,258,600
In 2024, the Mission operated on the basis of a Provisional Expenditure Authorization based on its 2021 Unified Budget, which amounted to €6,258,600. The extrabudgetary actual expenditure for 2024 was €1,564,991.
Leadership
Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia
History and mandate
Established in 2001 by the Permanent Council
On 11 January 2001, at the invitation of the country’s government, the OSCE Permanent Council established the original ‘OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’.
The mandate of the Mission, the sixth OSCE presence in South-Eastern Europe, set out the following key areas of activity:
- assisting the host country and Serbia’s society in promoting and strengthening democratic institutions;
- consolidating human rights and rights of national minorities;
- fostering the rule of law;
- reforming the police force into a police service; and
- supporting the development of free media and professional journalism at the service of the citizens.
From 2003 to today
In 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia changed its name to State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Consequently, the OSCE decided to rename its Mission there ‘OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro’, however without changing its mandate. With the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, the Mission changed its name again, becoming today's OSCE Mission to Serbia.
The Mission, based on the ownership and engagement of the Serbian authorities and institutions, provides assistance and expertise to assist the country with its goal of further developing a fully functioning democratic system with solid accountability mechanisms, including an independent, free, professional and responsible media. The Mission’s and Government’s shared objective is a system rooted in the separation of powers, governed by a well-harmonized set of rules and enforced by a fair and equitable justice system, with no space for discrimination or privilege.
Resources
Official OSCE documents and publications from the Mission to Serbia
Contact
