KONKURS ZA POZICIJU PRAVNOG SAVETNIKA

MANDATE AND BACKGROUND

Praxis is a national non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 2004 in Belgrade, Serbia. We developed as an extension of the Civil Rights Project (CRP) that was implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Serbia from 1997 to 2004. The goal of the project was to enhance the protection of the civil rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), both in their places of origin and of temporary residence/exile. Preceding the withdrawal of the NRC from the region, Praxis was registered as an NGO in June 2004 as a part of the NRC/CRP exit strategy. In September 2004, it started its work as an independent domestic NGO. The strategic partnerships with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that were developed under the NRC have continued throughout Praxis development.

In the following years, in addition to providing free legal aid so that refugees and IDPs may exercise their status and property rights, Praxis also provided protection for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Praxis expanded its free legal aid services to other marginalized and socially excluded communities, particularly the Roma population. This legal aid helped these individuals to exercise their right to be recognized as a person before the law, the right to a nationality, the right to adequate housing, the right to health care, the right to social protection, the right to education and the right to employment. Praxis is especially focused on the prevention and reduction of statelessness. Praxis also took positive action to fight against discrimination, for respect for human rights and for the removal of systemic obstacles to access rights. Praxis also has been monitoring the public administration reform process, especially in the areas of accountability and transparency, and has been striving to improve the citizen’s participation in public policy-making and for openness in the work of public administration. In addition to providing free legal aid, Praxis has also monitored public policies, conducted research and analysis, advocated for the removal of systemic obstacles that prevent access to rights, and has been engaged in awareness raising campaigns about the problems faced by marginalized and socially excluded communities who are attempting to integrate. We have also participated in educational outreach, published reports and provided expert support for legal reform.

IVANKA KOSTIĆ, A FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRAXIS (2004 – 2020)

Ivanka Kostić is a senior lawyer with many years of experience in working in the civil sector, in the field of human rights and forced migration. She was a founder of Praxis and was its Executive Director from its foundation in 2004 until the end of 2020.

From 1997-2004, Ivanka worked with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on their legal aid project - the Civil Rights Project (CRP), from the very opening of the first NRC/CRP office in Serbia, until the departure of the Norwegian Refugee Council from Serbia and the Balkans. The project had two pillars or two basic types of activities, the provision of legal aid and advocacy in case of systemic obstacles in accessing rights.

Ivanka initially worked on the CRP as a Senior Legal Advisor, later she was leading the NRC/CRP office in Belgrade, and from 2002 she was managing the Civil Rights Project in Serbia.

As part of its exit strategy, the Norwegian Refugee Council offered the option of establishing an organization in Serbia that would continue working on the Project, which Ivanka agreed to implement, and together with a number of other colleagues from the Project, founded Praxis. In September 2004, Praxis began operating as a domestic NGO.

For more than 16 years, Ivanka led and developed the organization, with the aim of promoting the human rights of marginalized and socially excluded groups, displaced persons, members of the Roma national minority, residents of informal settlements, and other minority groups in Serbia through various activities. Amongst other things, these activities included free legal aid, advocacy for change of regulations or their application in practice, raising awareness of systemic problems in access to rights, research, monitoring of public policies, as well as through developing cross-border cooperation between civil society organizations operating in the Western Balkans and cooperation at the international level.

Ivanka was invited to become involved in the activities of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS) from the very beginning in 2012, and Praxis then became a member of ENS and its Advisory Board. Ivanka is a member of the Board of Trusties of the European Network on Statelessness.

Praxis has become a recognizable and respected organization, primarily due to its capable, professional and dedicated staff and members of the legal team that provide legal assistance in Praxis’ offices, but also in the field throughout Serbia, especially to those who are most in need of assistance, residents of informal settlements, the majority belonging to the Roma national minority, many of whom are not registered in birth registry books, and who are therefore at risk of statelessness, and lacking access to rights. By providing free legal aid in numerous cases, Praxis also gathered solid evidence of systemic obstacles, which regulations and practices need to be changed, and has used this for its advocacy.

From 2021, Ivanka Kostic will be continuing to cooperate with Praxis as an independent consultant on statelessness issues and advocacy activities. Ivanka will always remain a part of Praxis, and a support to the organization and its team.

KEY PARTNERS

Praxis collaborates with both independent institutions, such as the Commissioner for Protection of Equality and the Ombudsperson institution, as well as with relevant ministries and government stakeholders. Through its activities and outreach, Praxis has also established very good cooperation with local government bodies and public services throughout Serbia, as well as with members of the Roma community themselves.

Strengthening cooperation through networking with relevant stakeholders is the goal and guiding principle in our work. Our striving to connect with all relevant stakeholders has also led to membership in several coalitions and networks at international, regional and national levels. Praxis is a member of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS), the Western Balkans Legal Aid Network (WeBLAN), the Network of Organizations for Children of Serbia (MODS), the Coalition Against Discrimination, the NKEU Chapter 23, the National Coalition to End Child Marriage and the National Working Group for Monitoring of the Public Administration Reform (PAR).

Current Projects

Project title: Promoting tools to prevent and combat domestic violence in Serbia
Project period: 24. april 2023 – 31. decembar 2023
Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through Poradna pro občanství/Občanská a lidská práva

Project title: Improving access for Roma communities to employment opportunities in the hospitality industry
Project period: January 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024
Donor: Hilton Global Fund

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Donor: UNHCR

Previous Project

Project title: Ending Roma Statelessness in the Western Balkans
Project period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
Donor: Open Society Foundation through the European Network on Statelessness

Project title: Prevention and Elimination of Child Marriages and Economic Empowerment of Roma Women at Local Level in Serbia
Project period: November 1, 2021 – April 30, 2023
Donor: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Project title: Roma Equality through Increased Legal Access
Project period: September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2022
Donor: EU through Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

Project title: Strengthening Civic Activism for Better Public Administration in Kragujevac
Project period: June 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022
Donor: EU

Project title: Ending Roma Statelessness in the Western Balkans
Project period: January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Donor: Open Society Foundation through the European Network on Statelessness

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2021
Project period: May 7, 2021 – December 31, 2021
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Tomorrow Starts Today
Project period: December 21, 2019 - December 20, 2021
Donor: EU through the Civil Society Facility Programme 2018

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Improving the position of Roma Men and Women in the Labor Market in the City of Kraljevo
Project period: September 4, 2019 - March 3, 2021
Donor: EU

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2020
Project period: May 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Prevent and Reduce Statelessness and Protect Stateless People
Project period: March 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: January 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: January 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHthrough “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title: Statelessness Index Update 2019
Project period:April 8, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: March 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Advisory support to the Development of the handbook and training module for the CGC for vulnerable groups with the special focus on Romandex Update 2019
Project period: July 1, 2019 - November 15, 2019
Donor: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Project title: #StatelessJourneys Project
Project period: March 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: September 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: January 1, 2019 - August 31, 2019
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title: Improving the equality legal and policy framework in Serbia and monitoring implementation of equality norms and policies
Project period: January 19, 2017 – April 18, 2019
Donor:EU through EIDHR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Statelessness and Forced Migrations - Phase 1
Project period: February 1, 2018 - July 31, 2018
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period: March 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:Save the Children International

Project title:#RomaBelong National Advocacy 2018
Project period: March 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:European Roma Rights Centre – ERRC

Project title: Statelessness Index 2018
Project period:April 16, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Donor:European Network on Statelessness – ENS

Project title: Contributing to Public Administration Reform (PAR) in Kraljevo
Project period: June 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018
Donor:EU and co-financed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Migrants in Belgrade
Project period:January 1, 2017 - February 28, 2018
Donor: Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017

Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: March 15, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHthrough “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title:Ending Childhood Statelessness
Project period:September 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: European Network on Statelesness

Project title: Protection Monitoring and Assistance to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Belgrade
Project period: August 15, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: Save the Children International

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Research on Over-representation of Romani Children in the State Care System in Serbia
Project period: May 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016

Donor:ERRC

Project title: Research on the Situation of Roma Pupils in the Educational System of Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2015 – September 15, 2016
Donor: ERRC

Project title: Emergency Protection, Shelter and Assistance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
Donor: ECHO through NRC

Project title: PROACTION-Protection Against Discrimination of Asylum-Seekers and Unaccompanied Child Migrants
Project period: November 28, 2014 – May 28, 2016
Donor:EU

Project title: Promotion of Cooperative Vocational Education and Training (VET) among Roma and supporting the inclusion of Roma students in cooperative VET
Project period: June 6, 2016 – July 31, 2016
Implemented on behalf of the German Federal Government: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through “Reform and Vocational Education and Training in Serbia” project

Project title: Institutional Support
Project period: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Donor:Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade

Project title: Strategic Litigation to Address the Issue of unregistered Birth in Serbia
Project period: April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016
Donor:ERRC

Project title: Sensitization of National and Local Media on the Position of Transgender Persons
Project period: October 1, 2015 – February 29, 2016
Donor:The Office for Human and Minority Rights

Project title: Hate Crime Prevention in CEE and Western Balkan Countries
Project period: September 1, 2014 – February 29, 2016
Donor: Visegrad Fund

Project title: Situation Analysis of the Refugees Treatment in Serbia and Possible Protection Concerns and Administrative Support to Needs Assessment Mission
Project period: September 15, 2015 – December 15, 2015
Donor:Norwegian Refugee Council

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period:January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Donor:UNHCR

Project title: SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Aid and Advocacy – Access to Rights and Combating Discrimination against the Roma
Project period: January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015
Donor: Civil Rights Defenders

Project title: Empowering Civil Society to Improve the Implementation of Anti-discrimination Laws in Serbia
Project period: May 20, 2014 – November 19, 2015
Donor: EU through EIDHR

Project title: We are Here Together - European Support for Roma Inclusion
Project period: September 5, 2013 – June 30, 2015
Donor: EU through OSCE

Project title: Position of Roma in Serbia
Project period: December 18, 2014 – February 16, 2015
Donor: Swiss Refugee Council

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: November 7, 2014 – 27 February, 2015
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: March 1, 2014 – October 31, 2014
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Initial Evaluation on Mediation in Serbia
Project period: May 1, 2014 – July 31, 2014
Donor:ERRC

Project title: Access to Social Welfare and Health Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the South of Serbia - Phase II
Project period: November 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014
Donor: Fondation Caritas Luxembourg

Project title: Improving Human Security for Vulnerable Communities in Southwest Serbia
Project period: October 25, 2013 – December 15, 2013
Donor: World Health Organization

Project title: Paralegals in Serbia
Project period: August 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
Donor: Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)

Project title: Testing the Implementation of the Ombudsperson’s Recommendations Regarding Vulnerable Persons
Project period: October 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
Donor: USAID

Project title: How to Conduct Situation Testing
Project period: April 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic through Poradna pro obcasnvtí/Obcanská a lidská práva, o.s

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Contribution to Social Inclusion and Combat against Discrimination of Marginalized Population in Serbia
Project period:
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Access to Social Welfare and Health Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the South of Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2012 – May 31, 2013
Donor: Fondation Caritas Luxembourg

Project title: Capacity Building of the Platform on the Right to Adequate Housing
Project period: May 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: EU through TACSO

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs and SGBV Activities in Serbi
Project period: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Monitoring of Roma Inclusion in Practice
Project period: May 20, 2012 - September 20, 2012
Donor: Open Society Institute

Project title: Strengthening Capacity for Inclusive Local Development in South Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2012
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Human Rights and Social Inclusion versus Bogus Asylum Seeking
Project period: October 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012
Donor: The Belgium Immigration Office

Project title: European Good Practices - Advocacy Tool in Serbia
Project period: June 29, 2011 - April 28, 2012
Donor: European Union

Project title: Social Inclusion: Regional Support to Marginalised Communities
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Refugees and Asylum Seekers and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to IDPs in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Contribution to Sustainability of Return of Roma from Sweden and Other Countries in Europe in Serbia
Project period: September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2011
Donor: Swedish Migration Board

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2010 - May 31, 2011
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Social Inclusion: Regional Support to Marginalised Communities
Project period: August 1, 2009 - January 31, 2011
Donor: EU through UNHCR

Project title: Legal Assistance to Refugees and SGBV Activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Refugee Legal Clinic - Practice of Law Students in Praxis
Project period: January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance Related to Personal Documents for Persons in the Process of Readmission in Serbia
Project period: December 1, 2008 - November 30, 2009
Donor: Swedish Migration Board

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Social Inclusion and Access to Human Rights for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in the Western Balkans
Project period: February 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009
Donor: EU through UNHCR

Project title: Combating Social Exclusion: Universal Birth Registration in Serbia
Project period: April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Provision of Legal Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) through UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Refugee Legal Clinic - Practice of Law Students in Praxis
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: UNHCR

Projects: Legal Protection of Refugees, Displaced Persons and Asylum Seekers in Montenegro; Addressing Legal Concerns and Risk of Statelessness of Persons of Concern to UNHCR in Montenegro
Project period: January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Donor: Catholic Relief Services - USCCB

Project title: Support to Refugee/IDP Return through Legal Aid
Project period: June 6, 2008 - November 30, 2008
Donor: OSCE

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Research of Administrative Obstacles Preventing Roma Children to Access Education, Health Care and Social Welfare Services in Three Municipalities in Southern Serbia - Krusevac, Kragujevac and Pirot
Project period: October 1, 2007 – January 31, 2008
Donor: UNICEF

Project title: Provision of Legal Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Donor: BPRM through UNHCR

Project title: Return Related Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs
Project period: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Support to the Repatriation and Reintegration Process of the Displaced currently in Serbia to Kosovo, Croatia and BiH
Project period: April 1, 2006 – January 31, 2007
Donor: European Agency for Reconstruction through Danish Refugee Council

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2006 – February 28, 2007
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Support to Refugee/IDP Return through Legal Aid within Regional Legal Aid Programme
Project period: 2006
Donor: OSCE

Project title: Return Related Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees and IDPs
Project period: January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Legal assistance to refugees and IDPs and SGBV activities in Serbia
Project period: January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: March 1, 2005 – February 28, 2006
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Project title: Legal Assistance, Information and Counseling for Refugees from Croatia and IDPs from Kosovo
Project period: January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2005
Donor: UNHCR

Project title: Support to the Repatriation and Reintegration of Refugees Currently in Serbia to Croatia and B&H
Project period: September 1, 2004 – September 30, 2005
Donor: European Agency for Reconstruction through Danish Refugee Council

Project title: Legal Assistance Related to Documentation and Information Dissemination to Refugees from Croatia and IDPs from Kosovo
Project period: September 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004
Donor: UNHCR through Norwegian Refugee Council

Project title: Civil Rights Project
Project period: September 1, 2004 – February 28, 2005.
Donor: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Norwegian Refugee Council

City Administration of Nis is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Pristina, Podujevo, Glogovac, Obilic, Lipljan and Kosovo Polje. Registry Office is located in Nis, in the building of the municipal administration of the Red Cross Municipality, 89 12th of February Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday, except Monday, from 8am to 1pm. A request for issuance of documents can be submitted in person or by a close family member, adoptive parent or guardian. Registry books are not automated. Due to a great number of requests for issuance of documents, registrars are not able to issue documents on the same day, but one has to wait for documents for a few days. Queues of people waiting to submit requests are long, one has to wait from early morning and for a few hours. Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 30 days. If documents are needed for one of the purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees, parties are exempt from paying the republic administrative fee, but still obliged to pay city administrative fee for issuance of documents.

Deadline for proceeding in cases of reconstruction of destroyed or lost registry books has been extended until the end of 2010. Administrative body has not yet received the instructions from the Ministry of Interior on proceeding upon requests for re-registration in citizenship registry book.

City Administration of Kragujevac is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Pec, Istok and Klina. Registry Office is located in Kragujevac, 76/A Svetozara Markovica Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday from 8am to 3pm, while the department competent for proceeding in cases of re-registration in registry books works with parties until 1pm. Registry books are automated and documents are issued within an hour from submitting a request. The Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 10-15 days. It is also possible to submit a request for issuance of documents through a virtual registrar, with costs of delivery of valuable mail being additionally charged. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for issuance of documents needed for purposes prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees. There are no city administrative fees for issuance of registry books excerpts.

Due to errors made in entering records in the period when registry books were administered in Kosovo, in some cases, records in registry books are either incorrect or incomplete and it is necessary to conduct the procedure of correction of data in registry books.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.

City Administration of Kraljevo is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Kosovska Mitrovica, Srbica, Zubn Potok, Vucitrn, Zvecan and Leposavic. Registry Office is located in the building of City Administration in Kraljevo, 1 Jovana Sarica Square.

Registry Office works every weekday from 8am to 3pm, while the department competent for proceeding in administrative cases works with parties until 2pm. Registry books are automated and requests submitted before 10am are solved on the same day, and the documents issued after 1pm. Requests for issuance of documents can also be submitted via mail or through virtual registrar, with the documents being delivered within 15-30 days. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for issuance of documents needed for purposes prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees. There are no city administrative fees for issuance of registry book excerpts.

Due to errors made in entering records in the period when registry books were administered in Kosovo, in some cases, records in registry books are either incorrect or incomplete and it is necessary to conduct the procedure of correction of data in registry books. Such requests are solved within 10 days. In case errors occurred due to incorrect entering of the records from registry books into automatic processing records, the data are corrected immediately.

City Administration of Krusevac is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Prizren, Orahovac, Suva Reka and Gora. Registry Office is located in Krusevac, 6 Kosanciceva Street.

Registry Office works with parties every weekday except Friday, from 8am to 3pm. Requests for issuance of documents submitted in person are solved on the same day, but only for persons whose data have been automated. If the data are not in the automated registry books, one has to wait for days for issuance of documents. Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through post, but the Registry Office proceeds upon such requests very slowly. Request for issuance of documents cannot be submitted through the virtual registrar. The Registry Office does not charge costs of republic administrative fees for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Registry Books, but does charge the costs of city administrative fees for issuance of documents.

The Registry Office was not working from mid-March to mid-April 2010, due to arrest of registrars who took money from parties to conduct procedures of registration in registry books and issue registry book excerpts. From mid-January 2010, in most cases the Registry Office has not been proceeding upon submitted requests for issuance of documents or initiated administrative procedures. Since April, they have only been proceeding upon newly submitted requests, while they have not yet started proceeding upon requests submitted earlier.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.

City Administration of Jagodina is competent for administering registry books for the municipalities of Djakovica and Decani. Registry Office is located in the premises of the municipal authorities building, 6 Kralja Petra Street.

Registry Office is open from 7am to 3pm. Requests for issuance of documents are submitted by 2pm, but in case a large number of requests are submitted in a day, the documents are issued the next day. In that case, the Registry Office delivers the documents via mail, if the party states that in the requests and gives the address. The Registry Office responds to requests sent via mail within 15-20 days. It is not possible to issues requests through virtual registrar. Registry books are not automated, except for persons who have conducted procedures of re-registration in registry books. Neither republic nor city administrative fees for issuance of documents are charged for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Registry Books.

The deadline for reconstruction of destroyed or lost registry books has been extended until 2015 and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books. 

City Administration of Leskovac is competent for administering registry books for the municipalities of Urosevac, Kacanik, Stimlje and Strpce. Registry Office is located in Leskovac, 9/11 Pana Djukica Street.

Registry Office works every weekday from 7am to 3pm. Upon requests for issuance of documents submitted buy 10am, the Registry Office proceeds within the same day. Republic administrative fees are not charged for purposes prescribed in the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees, but the party has to pay costs of city administrative fees. Registry books are not automated. Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through the virtual registrar. Registry Office proceeds upon requests submitted by mail or through the virtual registrar within 15 days.

The Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry book.

City Administration of Vranje is competent for administering registry books for the following municipalities: Gnjilane, Vitina, Kosovska Kamenica and Novo Brdo.  Registry Office is located in Vranje, 3 Save Kovacevica Street.

Registry Office works every weekday from 7:30am to 3pm and issues the documents on the same day if the requests are submitted by 1pm. Almost all records are automated (registry books from the municipalities of Novo Brdo and Kosovska Kamenica are completely automated, while approximately 60% of the data from registry books from the municipalities of Gnjilane and Vitina are automated). Request for issuance of documents can also be submitted through virtual registrar. Neither republic nor city administrative fees are charged for issuance of documents for the purposes prescribed by the Article 19 of the Law on Republic Administrative Fees.

Deadline for reconstruction of registry books has been extended and the Registry Office proceeds upon requests for re-registration in birth, marriage, death and citizenship registry books.

In February 2012, Praxis issued the Report on the expert debate European good practices: advocacy tool in Serbia, which came as a result of the implementation of the project European Good Practices: Advocacy Tool in Serbia, financed by the European Union as a part of the programme Support to Civil Society.

Praxis, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Regional Centre for Minorities and Dokukino, organised in Belgrade, on 29 and 30 September 2011, a two-day expert debate in order to discuss the acknowledgment of the right to be recognised as a person before the law and the fulfilment of the right to adequate housing in Serbia. The aim of the debate and this report is to contribute to finding systemic solutions, in line with the European practices, which would enable the unimpeded enjoyment of these rights. 

The invited European experts presented the examples of good practice and participated in discussion with their colleagues from Serbia on possible ways to solve the problem of legally invisible persons in Serbia as well as the problem of forced evictions that have recently increased in Serbia. 

The two-day debate gathered some 80 participants, including the representatives of state bodies, non-governmental and international organisations. 

The representatives of the following state institutions attended the event: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government – Directorate for Human and Minority Rights, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, as well as the representatives of the Ombudsperson and the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality. 

The experts of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government who deal with the issue of registry books and subsequent registration into registry books were also invited to the debate but none of them appeared.

Download: Report on the Expert Debate European Good Practices: Advocacy Tool in Serbia