The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, attended the presentation of the evaluation report of the nine-year partnership between the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the OSCE Mission. On that occasion, she expressed great satisfaction with the achieved results in their joint fight for the improvement of equality, promotion of tolerance, and combat against discrimination throughout Serbia.

The independent expert and author of the evaluation, Dragiša Mijačić, emphasized that the work on the evaluation proceeded smoothly thanks to substantive cooperation with the Commissioner’s institution.

The evaluation provides six recommendations indicating key directions for the further improvement of the Commissioner’s work.

It is necessary to strengthen the internal capacities of the Commissioner’s office to ensure continuity, resilience, and quality of work. Also, it is important to secure and diversify funding sources for successful projects, such as public campaigns and educational programs. Public engagement should be improved by using innovative communication tools and by involving trusted voices in promoting equality, tolerance, and social cohesion.

Continuation of the annual media award for contributions to the promotion of equality, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, is recommended. Strengthening regional cooperation through networks and forums for the exchange of experiences and harmonization of activities in the fight against discrimination is of great importance. Finally, it is necessary to improve the monitoring and evaluation system to better understand the impact of implemented activities.

In her address, Commissioner Janković underlined the importance of aligning the institution’s work with the real needs of citizens: “As I approach the end of my mandate, we remain committed to strengthening the capacities of our office. This is not only a matter of preparing for a smooth transition but also embedding the knowledge, tools, and values necessary for continuity and resilience.”

“Let this report not be the end of long-term cooperation but an incentive for a new beginning,” concluded the Commissioner.