The Twinning project “Support to the Strengthening of the Ombudsman Office” in Serbia, implemented by the Greek Ombudsman, the Dutch Ombudsman and the EPLC, and with duration of two years (2009-2011), concluded with a closing conference on the role and challenges for the Ombudsman in a changing Europe on 14 and 15 September in Belgrade.
The project aimed at providing support and expertise to the Ombudsman of the Republic of Serbia at the decisive stage of being consolidated and affirmed as an authoritative, independent institution with the mandate to defend the citizen’s rights in Serbia, according to the European standards and the best practices of Ombudsman institutions, as well as establish an efficient, multifunctional and strong network-based system of cooperation among the Ombudsman’s local offices in Serbia, coordinated by the National Ombudsman. The project's objectives for the institution were met as indicated by the increased number of cases investigated and solved with attention to good governance and good administration cases, as well as the number of incoming complaints, the strengthening of internal capacities such as the increased handling capacity and improvement of human resources in dealing with citizen complaints, the development of a new Code of Good Administrative Conduct for Serbia jointly developed with the European Ombudsman and submitted to the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia, the EU progress report on Serbia reserving high praises for the Serbian Ombudsman office and its role in defending and promoting fundamental citizen rights in Serbia, the increased visibility and networking of the institution on local, EU and international level among other.
The project has been a key catalyst for major internal changes of working culture, for strengthening of capacities and for external, national and international visibility and recognition of the Serbian Ombudsman. Interactive, innovative and in depth intensive training and joint cooperation activities have brought together more than 50 EU and Serbian experts making possible to weld bonds and cooperation well beyond the Twinning framework and contract timeframe.
The closing conference on the role and challenges for the Ombudsman in a changing Europe, brought together close to 50 representatives, officials and experts and involved an overall overview of the project's objectives, achievements and remaining challenges, as well as notes and discussion on the themes of the institution of the Ombudsman in democracies in transition and crisis, and in good governance protecting citizen's rights.
Please click here for the list of participants in the closing conference
Please click here for the agenda of the closing conference
