Browse Ageing Policies

The "Strategy for Active and Healthy Ageing in the Republic of Serbia for the Period 2024–2030" was introduced in 2024 by the Government of Serbia. Implemented at the national level, the strategy is led by various Serbian ministries, with participation from institutes and local authorities. While the strategy targets the entire population, it emphasizes the inclusion of persons over 65 in all social and other life spheres, addressing their specific needs. The primary goal is to promote active and healthy participation of older persons, fostering intergenerational and intra-generational solidarity and gender equality. Key measures include lifelong learning initiatives, enhancing digital competencies among older persons, and increasing their participation in public life. The strategy promotes support mechanisms, cross-sectoral cooperation, and strong anti-discrimination and anti-violence policies to protect older persons. Additionally, active ageing principles and supportive structures aim to encourage holistic social inclusion, ensuring that people over 65 are empowered to engage fully in society.

The Employment Strategy of the Republic of Serbia 2021–2026 has the primary goal to ensure continuity in employment policy, align with EU standards, and address national labour market needs. The strategy aims to improve employment rates, reduce unemployment, and enhance the employability of the workforce. The Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs leads the strategy, supported by the Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit, NIRAS – IP Consult, the International Labour Organization, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The strategy targets the entire national labour market, focusing on various demographic groups, including youth, persons with disabilities, and older persons. It covers all regions of Serbia. Key interventions include active labour market measures, vocational training, career guidance, and incentives for hiring vulnerable groups. The strategy acknowledges the increasing number of older persons and their significant share in the total population, and consequently outlines specific measures for older persons. Emphasis is placed on the need for further education and training measures, especially targeting older persons to improve their employability. The strategy aims to improve the overall social and economic position of older persons through various support measures and policies. The strategy was adopted on January 28, 2021.

The "Strategy for Digital Skills Development in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2020–2024" was introduced in 2020 by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with a 1st Action Plan covering 2021–2022 and a 2nd Action Plan for 2023–2024. The strategy is implemented at the national level through a collaborative effort involving key ministries, such as the Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications, and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development, along with international organizations like UNICEF and USAID (CFG), and initiatives like Propulsion's New Literacy project. The strategy aims to improve the digital knowledge and skills of all citizens, including members of vulnerable social groups, in order to enable the monitoring of the development of ICT technologies in all fields and to meet the needs of the economy and the labour market. It provides different trainings for learning basic digital skills that cover as many men and women citizens as possible, especially among older persons, as well as in areas perceived as having fewer ICT users, such as rural areas and smaller urban environments.

The National Strategy on Ageing 2006–2015 aims to create an integrated and coordinated policy based on modern scientific knowledge and obligations from international documents. The Government, along with ministries of labour, health, education, culture, and local government units, are the main institutions involved. The implementation is coordinated with social protection institutions, healthcare and educational establishments, NGOs, and citizens' associations. The strategy has a national scope, focusing on older persons, particularly those over 65, who represent a significant portion of the population. The strategy addresses the challenges of ageing in various sectors, including healthcare, social protection, labour market, and education. The strategy includes affirming the role of older persons in society, promoting their integration, and encouraging intergenerational transfer and dialogue. Key features involve actions like media campaign to inform older persons of their rights and enriching school programmes with content about ageing. Other interventions foreseen include the promotion of continuous learning opportunities for older persons to keep them engaged and active in society and the promotion of living conditions of older persons that are safe, comfortable, and conducive to their well-being. The strategy was in place from 2006 to 2015.

The Council for Old Age and Ageing Affairs is an institution with the purpose to develop the concept of active and healthy ageing. This council serves as an expert advisory body to the government, ensuring the implementation of action plans related to ageing. The Council is spearheaded by the Ministry of Family Care and Demography of the Government of Serbia, with Minister Daria Kisić chairing the council. As a fundamental element of the Serbian Strategy for Active and Healthy Ageing, the working group for the strategy's development also plays a significant role. The Council targets older people across Serbia, aiming to improve their social and economic status, and enhance their participation in societal, economic, and public life. The aims of the Council include promoting the concept of active and healthy ageing and separating ageing from various health and social issues, considering the social and economic status of older persons and utilizing their potential in societal development, and enhancing cooperation with state bodies, professional, humanitarian, and professional organizations to improve the quality of life for older persons. The Council was established in 2011.