Conlusions from the Conference on Poverty Reduction in Serbia, Plandište 

Introduction

The introduction of standard methodology in the surveys on poverty in Serbia in 2002 and 2003 created preconditions for permanent monitoring of poverty status and trends in Serbia. The last available survey results cover the year 2003 and show that, despite the substantial economic growth, poverty in Serbia remained almost at the same level as in 2002—one in ten citizens of Serbia was poor in 2003.

However, although statistics registered the same percentage of the poor, significant changes and fluctuations occurred within the group of poor population. The number of poor increased in 2003 within the category of "new" poverty, so that that this category made 50% of the poor in 2003. The risk of poverty decreased the most for those unemployed in 2002 who managed to find a job in 2003. The increase in labour force mobility was registered within the informal employment sector, while those employed in informal sector that remained there from 2002 to 2003 benefited the most regarding their relative postition. Survey results revealed the increase in regional differences in poverty status so that the risk of falling under poverty line in Belgrade decreased while the risk for South Eastern Serbia increased.

Clearly, poverty remains a serious socio-economic problem of Serbia. It is possible to reduce poverty but it requires time as well as concentrated and coordinated activities of all stakeholders. The key stakeholders in poverty reduction are the Government of the Republic of Serbia, National Parliament of the Republic of Serbia, local self-governments, social partners, civil society organizations, international development partners, as well as the citizens of Serbia themselves.

Conclusions

Based upon Statistics and activities presented by governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, the Conference participants conclude the following:

Poverty alleviation efforts should be governed by the recommendations of the Poverty Reduction Strategy that is a national document produced as a result of the political will, work of national experts and a wide consultative process.

Relations among the stakeholders should be based on partnership, shared values and mutual respect with an aim of maximizing the impact of all stakeholders' efforts in improving the quality of life of the poorest Serbian citizens and their families, and in enhancing social inclusion of particularly vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, it is important to ensure creation of linkages and, ultimately, effective integration of the Serbia 's development priorities as defined in the PRS, European integration process and the UN-set Millennium Development Goals.

Leading principles in poverty reduction efforts should be:

• To mainstream poverty reduction measures into day-to-day activities and regular programming of all stakeholders

• To promote national ownership of the PRS through all-inclusive and participatory process

• To ensure linking the PRS with other Serbia's development priorities

• To put strong emphasis on local level implementation

• To build partnership that will ensure synergy of poverty reduction efforts

To ensure coordination and comprehensiveness of the poverty reduction related activities, the stakeholders should engage in the following manner:

• The relevant line ministries, government institutions and agencies are responsible for the implementation of the policies, measures and activities laid out in the PRS paper. In regard to that, it will be necessary to develop programs and plans of action and strengthen internal links among the staff at the central, regional and local government level responsible for the budget process, coordination of donors' assistance, European integration process and public administration reform.

• The role of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Poverty Reduction is to review draft laws and oversee the process of budget adoption and allocation in regard to the PRS implementation. It also provides suggestions and comments related to the PRS implementation process and engage in the institutionalization and participation of the citizens' representatives in the decision-making process related to the PRS.

• The role of the Deputy Prime Minister's PRS Implementation Focal Point (DPM PRS IFP) is to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the PRS, as well as to monitor and report on poverty status in Serbia.

• The critical role of local self-governments is to identify problems and policies, develop local plans of action through the operationalization of the PRS, mobilize local and regional resources and create enabling environment for the implementation of poverty reduction measures.

• Civil society organizations and social partners are to continue to play a pro-active role in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PRS implementation process.

• International Development Partners will support poverty reduction efforts by fully taking into account the PRS recommendations during their regular programming and implementation processes.

The Conference participants encourage all stakeholders involved in the poverty reduction activities in Serbia to take steps that will lead towards signing the Partnership Declaration for Poverty Reduction in Serbia in order to confirm their willingness to work in partnership with the aim of reducing poverty of the citizens of Serbia, improving both the quality of their lives and social inclusion of those living on the margins of our society.

Plandište, 22 February 2005