On this page

1. Existence of a national strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

4. Revisions/updates

Existence of a national strategy

There is not a specific national strategy on creativity and culture for young people in Serbia. However, the following strategic documents offer guidelines in this field.

In February 2020, the Government of Serbia adopted the Culture Development Strategy from 2020 to 2029 (SER Strategija razvoja kulture Republike Srbije od 2020. do 2029. godine) with an Action Plan. The Strategy systematically regulates public interest in the field of culture and determines  strategic priorities for its development in the stated ten-year period.

Children and young people are recognized as the most important segment in the development of cultural needs, because they are not only visitors to  events, but also future audiences and creators in culture. The Strategy implies it is very important to involve young people in creating cultural content.

In January 2023 the Government of Serbia adopted the National Youth Strategy 2023–2030 (SER Nacionalna strategija za mlade za period 2023–2030), which proposes a measure aiming to support the development of aesthetic competences and creativity of young people. More details on the National Youth Strategy are provided in Chapter 1.3 National youth strategy. 

Additionally, in February 2020, the Government adopted the Smart Specialization Strategy 2020–2027 (SER Strategija pametne specijalizacije od 2020–2027). This Strategy is an important instrument for improving the innovation and research ecosystem in Serbia, as well as for the development of a knowledge and innovation economy. Creative industry is recognized as one of the priority areas in this document, with proposed measures to develop policies promoting growth of the creative sector.

Scope and contents

The general goal of the Culture Development Strategy is to improve the role of culture in life of citizens of the Republic of Serbia. The following are stated as special goals:

• Improvement of the regulatory framework, institutional capacities and financing system;
• Development of an investment system in cultural institutions and protection of cultural heritage;
• Production development, cultural needs and equal participation of citizens in cultural life;
• Promotion of international cooperation and the process of European integration in the field of culture;
• Digitalization in culture.

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Culture Development Strategy has been developed for the medium-term period from 2020 to 2022. It envisages:

• a well-thought-out legislative activity and responsible personnel policy;
• a commitment to protect and preserve  national culture;
• protection of cultural rights of national minorities and other vulnerable social groups and promotion of mutual understanding.

Moreover, the Action Plan implies wide accessibility of culture and equal participation in cultural life; development of cultural needs of citizens, especially children and youth, particularly through the media; protection and valuing of cultural heritage as non-renewable and unique heritage, encouragement and promotion of artistic creation as a free expression of human spirit; active participation in international cultural exchange and contribution to the country's reputation in the world; modern models of financing and understanding of culture as a significant economic potential.

The National Youth Strategy 2023–2030 proposes support for the development of aesthetic competences and creativity of young people as one of the measures that should contribute to the strategic goal of young people having equal opportunities and incentives to develop their potential and competences.

Such support is planned by creating and implementing various programmes of non-formal education and informal learning. The Strategy states that non-formal education and informal learning of young people about culture, aesthetic values, critical evaluation of works of art will find a place in youth programmes. At the same time, conditions  to support young people in creating cultural content and works of art will be created. Amateur cultural and artistic creation, application of new technologies in culture, digitalisation and development of digital research infrastructure, cultural and artistic creation of socially sensitive groups will be encouraged.

Indicators of success in achieving this measure will be monitored through a number of non-formal education programmes that result in the development of aesthetic competence, a number of youth associations that offer such programmes and the development of amateur activities on the local level.

Responsible authority for the implementation of the strategy

The Culture Development Strategy was proposed by the Ministry of Culture but other responsible ministries and institutions are envisaged to participate in the implementation of the activities planned by the action plan. Among others, these are: the Institute for Improvement of Education, the Ministry of Education, educational institutions, textbook publishers etc.  

The responsible authority for the implementation of the National Youth Strategy 2023–2030 is the Ministry of Tourism and Youth. However, when it comes to the activities in the field of creativity and culture for young people, they also require the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, and the cooperation of youth associations with local institutions of culture, education, civil sector, media and business.

The Ministry of Education is the main body responsible for monitoring and implementation of the Smart Specialization Strategy.

Revisions/updates

Neither evaluations nor revisions of the 3 abovementioned documens have been published yet.