How the indoctrination process of young people involved in NGOs in Serbia works and why the case of Pavle Cicvarić is the most striking example of how and for what purposes young leaders are made?
The pre-election year, understandably marked by party activities, brought a few young people to the public eye who, with strong support from pro-Western media, gained the status of young leaders. One might get the impression that quality and other leadership qualities recommended them for these positions. However, the situation is significantly different. Perhaps the most illustrative example is Pavle Cicvarić, born in Užice, who led student protests against recognizing the Belgrade elections. Although it may seem at first glance that Cicvarić managed to attract media and public attention with his talent and charisma, there are indications that his rise in the political scene was stimulated by external factors, but primarily by family connections.
Investigating the financial flows and media sponsors easily reveals the network of support consisting of non-governmental organizations and media houses based in the West. According to sources close to these organizations, Cicvarić participated in numerous programs and workshops funded by Western foundations. This not only provided him with the necessary skills and knowledge but also a significant network of contacts that facilitated his rapid rise in Serbian public life. Whether Pavle is the right choice or not is not so important. He is a young man lucky enough to be born into a family whose business is precisely NGOs.
Namely, the young leader’s parents are Radovan Cicvarić, director of the NGO “Užice Center for Child Rights” (https://ucpd.rs/), and his mother, Dr. Jelena Žunić Cicvarić, project coordinator of the NGO “Regional Resource Center for Western Serbia” (https://regioeurc.ucpd.rs/).
While some claim that such support is legitimate and necessary for the development of young leaders in transitional countries, others question the independence and autonomy of these leaders. In light of these revelations, doubts arise about the true nature of Cicvarić activism and the intentions of his sponsors. Is he really the voice of students and youth fighting for justice and democracy, or is he an instrument in the hands of foreign interests with their own agendas?
Our research aims to shed light on these questions and provide a deeper insight into the complex relationships between young leaders and their sponsors, as well as the impact of such connections on political life in Serbia.
Projects and programs conducted by pro-Western NGOs in Serbia often include training and workshops for young leaders, promoting Western values and models of political activism. Participants in these programs not only acquire skills and knowledge but also establish important contacts that later help them in political and public life.
While there are still those who believe that such support contributes to the development of democratic society and the promotion of civil rights, the majority in Serbia holds a different view—they see and recognize the negative consequences clearly. Examples from the past, such as the events in Ukraine during 2014, and then in Georgia, and consequently in every “progressive” country where the Collective West works on “promoting democracy and human rights,” show that such activities can lead to political instability and serious social upheaval.
The events of December last year in Serbia, when protests reached dimensions reminiscent of the Ukrainian Maidan, further fueled these suspicions. Many analysts claim that the protests were orchestrated and coordinated by organizations based in the West, with the ultimate goal of causing destabilization in the country.
Užice Center for Child Rights: Platform for indoctrination or improvement of children’s rights?
The Užice Center for Child Rights (UCPD), founded in 1998, aims to improve the position of children in Serbia through the protection and promotion of their rights. This organization conducts various projects and initiatives in the fields of education and social protection, collaborating with domestic and international partners.
However, beneath the surface of humanitarian activities and educational projects, there are hints of UCPD’s role in indoctrinating young people for the needs of Western interests. Examples like Pavle Cicvarić suggest insidious methods of using such organizations to create a new generation devoid of a sense of national belonging.
While UCPD formally operates as an organization for the advancement of children’s rights, there are indications that their programs and activities may have deeper, potentially manipulative goals. Supporting young people and integrating them into Western structures and networks can lead to the creation of a generation that respects others more than their own, ready to turn against their country’s interests at any moment in favor of foreign interests.
If these claims are confirmed, and we already see their results in practice, it is necessary to reassess the role and activities of non-governmental organizations in Serbia and their impact on young generations, and consequently, the political stability of the country.
Biography of Radovan Cicvarić and his political activism
Radovan Cicvarić, founder of the Užice Center for Child Rights (UCPD), is a long-time activist in the field of human rights and an influential figure in the non-governmental sector in Serbia. His work in UCPD, founded in 1998, aimed to improve the position of children through the promotion and protection of their rights. UCPD has become recognized for various projects focused on education and youth empowerment, often with the support of international organizations and foundations.
Cicvaric was actively involved in Serbian political life, especially in the 1990s and 2000s. His rich political career includes membership in several political parties, among them the Democratic Party (DS) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). During his political activities, he advocated for reforms and Euro-integration, often aligned with the goals of the organizations he led. He was once a candidate for mayor of Užice representing Čedomir Jovanović’s party.
However, the NGO sector has proven to be more lucrative than direct politics, judging by the revenues this association had in the past election year. According to data from the Business Registers Agency (APR), the NGO “Užice Center for Child Rights” achieved a profit of slightly more than six million dinars, which should not be surprising given that Radovan Cicvarić wife, Jelena Žunić Cicvarić, is at the head of the fund redistribution center.
Year 2022:
- Total income: 18,717,000 dinars
- Total expenses: 18,649,000 dinars
- Profit: 18,717,000 – 18,649,000 = 68,000 dinars
Year 2023:
- Total income: 16,002,000 dinars
- Total expenses: 9,025,000 dinars
- Profit: 16,002,000 – 9,025,000 = 6,977,000 dinars
Therefore, the profit for 2022 was 68,000 dinars, and for 2023 it was 6,977,000 dinars.
Regional EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia
Within the “Užice Center for Child Rights” operates the “Regional EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia,” managed by Pavle Cicvarić’s mother and Radovan Cicvarićs’s wife. The center functions as a key channel for the redistribution of European Union funds and acts as a sort of civil police of the EU. Funds are allocated only to those actively working on raising awareness of European values, often at the expense of national interests and Serbian tradition. Through training, workshops, and financial support, the center supports local NGOs focused on promoting democratic values and human rights. This role of the center further highlights the influence and control that foreign organizations can have on local politics and social currents.
Since the “Regional EU Resource Center for Civil Society in Serbia” does not exist as a separate association, and there has been no cooperation from the mentioned organizations except in the form of email responses directing to portals where the requested data is not available, and to the Business Registers Agency (APR), we can only speculate on how the redistribution of funds proceeds. The unclear structure and lack of transparency further fuel suspicions about the true nature and purpose of such organizations and their activities in Serbia.
Possible influence of western donors on the political activities of Cicvarić and other activists
After the elections, politicians supported by the Cicvarići often went to the EU, seeking direct Western intervention in Serbia’s political situation. Such an act constitutes interference in Serbia’s sovereignty but is, in fact, an attempt by the opposition to open the door to Western structures in Serbia’s internal politics. For example, following the last elections, the Serbian opposition welcomed a European Parliament resolution calling for an independent international investigation into electoral irregularities and threatening to suspend funding to Serbia if it does not implement key electoral recommendations (POLITICO) (Euronews). This move is a clear example of how Western donors can influence political activities, using financial support and institutional networks to promote their interests at the expense of national sovereignty.
Examples of similar funding patterns for other NGOs in Serbia
In addition to the “Užice Center for Child Rights,” there are other examples of non-governmental organizations in Serbia receiving significant funds from Western donors, which can influence their activities and direction. One such example is the “Belgrade Open School” (BOS).
BOS is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1993 that contributes to societal development through additional education and training of social change agents, as well as through research and public policy development (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola) (Wikipedia). The organization receives substantial funds from international donors, including USAID and the Open Society Foundation, to implement projects that promote democratic values, environmental protection, and other topics relevant to EU integration (USAID) (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola).
Jelena Jerinić, a member of the BOS Board of Directors, a professor at the University of Belgrade, and the top candidate for the green-left front coalition “We Choose New Belgrade,” is one of the prominent members of the organization. Her role includes working on public policy and legislation projects, and she has been involved in political activities that included calls for direct EU intervention in Serbia’s political processes. (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola)
Dobrica Veselinović, a candidate from the “We Choose New Belgrade” coalition, was also part of the delegation that called for sanctions against Serbia and the withholding of EU funds if Serbia did not allow reforms in the voting system that would affect the country’s political sovereignty. These examples illustrate how Western donors can influence political activities through NGO funding and projects, undermining national sovereignty in favor of foreign interests.
This pattern of funding and political action demonstrates how non-governmental organizations can become instruments for promoting foreign agendas, which can have far-reaching consequences for domestic political and social structures.
Connection between the Belgrade Open School (BOS) and the Užice Center for Child Rights
The Belgrade Open School (BOS) and the Užice Center for Child Rights (UCPD) are two significant actors in the non-governmental sector in Serbia, both with similar funding models and activities. Both organizations share common characteristics in terms of their funding sources and activities aimed at promoting democratic values and human rights, supported by Western donors. Both are part of the NGO “Youth Umbrella Organization of Serbia” (https://koms.rs/pocetna/).
Funding and support from western donors
Both organizations receive significant funds from international donors, including institutions such as USAID, the Open Society Foundation, and various European Union programs. This financial support enables them to carry out various projects aimed at improving human rights, democratic processes, and environmental protection (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola) (USAID).
BOS and UCPD both engage in education, training, and public policy research. They also organize workshops, training sessions, and projects aimed at strengthening the capacities of local NGOs and promoting European values. For example, BOS is known for its programs for students and young professionals, while UCPD works on projects related to children’s rights and protection from violence in schools (Wikipedia) (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola).
Involvement of prominent individuals
Both organizations involve prominent individuals active in Serbia’s political life. Jelena Jerinić from BOS is a distinguished professor and political activist, and numerous other current political and social activists have passed through this school, undergoing a program that reshapes their ideals and attitudes towards their own country. The activities of the Cicvarić family within UCPD also have significant political influence. These organizations often support politicians and activists who advocate for Western values and reforms in Serbia, which is especially evident in their efforts to attract attention and motivate the international community to intervene in internal political processes (Naslovna | Beogradska otvorena škola).
Examples of political activities
After elections, politicians supported by these organizations often appeal to the EU to directly intervene in Serbia’s political situation. These requests for intervention often relate to criticizing electoral processes and calling for sanctions and measures against Serbia if certain reforms are not implemented. Such activities show how these NGOs can influence the political climate in Serbia, using international networks and financial support to promote their goals (POLITICO) (N1) (USAID).
Indoctrination of youth
Given that both organizations work with young people and are involved in education, they have the freedom to indoctrinate them. This is the biggest problem because young people who go through their programs often adopt values and attitudes that align with the interests of Western donors, not necessarily in line with national interests and traditional values of Serbia. This approach allows these organizations to shape the social and political landscape in Serbia in the long term, directing it towards the integrations and values promoted by their Western financiers.
BOS and UCPD exemplify how non-governmental organizations in Serbia can function as tools for promoting foreign agendas, which can impact the country’s political and social currents. Their interconnectedness and similarities in operation indicate broader trends in the NGO sector, where Western financial support plays a crucial role in shaping the activities and direction of these organizations.
Potential consequences for future political activities and stability in the country
The influence of Western donors on NGOs in Serbia can have significant consequences for political stability and future political activities in the country. Funding from foreign governments and international organizations can lead to changes in the priorities and attitudes of local NGOs, which may begin to operate in line with the interests of their donors rather than the interests of the local community. This can create tensions and divisions in society, especially when funded NGOs address sensitive and controversial topics such as political reforms, electoral processes, and human rights.
