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Fond za Humanitarno Pravo

HLC

The Humanitarian Law Centre of Serbia (HLC) was established in 1992 to document human rights violations during the armed conflict.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Civil Society Strategy

21 Aug 2025

We need an evidence-based approach where civil society actively shapes donor agendas, rather than the opposite. The challenges we face regarding the enabling environment and sustainable development can only be effectively addressed by identifying all the specific needs that burden the sector and society as a whole. Thus, when working in a post-conflict society, it is crucial to consider the unique needs related to all aspects of societal transformation, trust-building, and institutional reforms - not just those outlined in theoretical frameworks or from other contexts. Furthermore, donor support for post-conflict transformation must be adaptable to the protracted and often non-linear progress that characterizes such contexts, to ensure the sustainable success of the process. Civil society actors engaged in this work are essential, as they frequently bring valuable expertise, experience, and the capacity to mobilize citizens. Because of that, their initiatives, service provision, and the models they create should be carefully and objectively evaluated when designing state-led mechanisms. Private-public partnerships can serve as a viable alternative in situations where state capacity is low during post-conflict transformation. Civic initiatives that have expanded beyond their initial scope of work and developed important resources or approaches for post-conflict transformation (e.g., documentation centers, museums, memorial sites) should be recognized as public goods. It is essential to ensure they receive adequate state or international protection, along with sufficient financial and technical support. The EU plays a vital role in ensuring that initiatives safeguarding member states' security, as well as European peace and stability, receive the necessary political, material, and financial support.
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Meeting with Marie-Helene Boulanger (Head of Unit Justice and Consumers)

12 May 2025 ยท Exchange on core work of the HLC and on the public consultation for the European Democracy Shield