The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights participated in the two-day training “Access to Rights for Foreigners,” held on January 29-30, 2025, in Čačak. The training is part of the activities within the project “Fostering Social and Economic Rights of Foreigners in the Western Balkans” (FOSTER), funded by the European Union and implemented by member organizations of the Balkan Refugee and Migration Council (BRMC) and the Danish Refugee Council office in Serbia.
The training brought together representatives of independent state institutions, civil society organizations, and experts working on the rights of foreigners and refugees in Serbia. Through interactive sessions, participants had the opportunity to gain and enhance their knowledge of international standards for the protection of foreigners’ rights, the legislative framework and challenges in implementing regulations, as well as institutional mechanisms for the realization and protection of these rights.
One of the key training sessions was delivered by Jelena Ilić, Coordinator of the Asylum and Migration Program at the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, who provided a practical insight into the experiences of refugee integration in Serbia. During her presentation, she highlighted the challenges refugees face, including limited access to the labor market, education, and healthcare services, as well as social barriers in the integration process. Special emphasis was placed on best practices implemented by the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, such as legal support for refugees, advocacy activities, and initiatives aimed at improving their inclusion.
This activity contributes to the broader goal of the “FOSTER” project, which seeks to strengthen compliance with fundamental human rights principles by developing inclusive and non-discriminatory policies and effective practices for integrating vulnerable groups of foreigners into communities. This is considered a prerequisite for the successful EU accession process and the sustainable development of the Western Balkans. The project, which brings together civil society organizations and independent institutions from across the Western Balkans, focuses on strengthening their capacities for advocacy and the protection of foreigners’ social and economic rights, as well as improving the existing institutional and legislative framework.
