Serbia

GIZ local staff

National employees: 169
International employees: 19
Integrated experts: 2

_{(as at: 31.12.2024)}  

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Serbia since 2000. It has an office in Belgrade.

The Serbian economy has grown steadily and strongly towards the EU market in recent years. But there is a shortage of skilled workers. The economy is also impacted by low productivity and bureaucratic hurdles for small and medium-sized enterprises. To continue the growth trend, the economy now needs to be modernised.

Serbia produces most of its energy from fossil fuels. In order for the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to promote the expansion of renewable energies and use existing energy more efficiently.

Serbia is striving for EU membership. Accession negotiations have been ongoing since 2014. However, to meet the admission criteria, the country still needs to implement a raft of reforms for good governance and democracy.

In Serbia, GIZ works primarily on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the EU. The core areas of cooperation are:

• Economic development and employment
• Climate and energy
• Good governance

GIZ supports Serbia with economic development and promotes links to international supply chains. It advises the Serbian Government on creating incentives to modernise the private sector in a socially and environmentally friendly way. GIZ also advises start-ups and medium-sized companies on how to develop and tap into new markets. With improved vocational training, it encourages young skilled workers to get into areas where they are particularly needed.

Germany and Serbia are cooperating closely on the climate in order to protect it and use energy more efficiently. The objective is to expand renewable energies and promote energy efficiency. GIZ is supporting implementation of this objective and is working to improve the conditions for climate-friendly energy technologies.

To promote good governance, GIZ supports Serbia in making municipal services more accessible and limiting illicit financing flows. On behalf of the EU, it also works to promote the rule of law, curb organised crime and support freedom of the press.