Serbia Ministry of Culture accused of irregular fund distribution

Employees within the Serbian Ministry of Culture and political figures have raised alarms regarding the rapid and allegedly irregular distribution of hundreds of millions of dinars for various projects.

Vladimir Pajić, a member of the Presidency of the Movement of Free Citizens, alleged that the Ministry is funneling money to private companies for EXPO exhibition projects in a manner that bypasses public procurement laws. He noted that approximately 1.69 million euros were allocated to various organizations and private entities through a process involving an unnamed commission, claiming that funds typically reserved for cultural institutions and citizen associations are being diverted to commercial firms, such as printing houses and agencies, with insufficient justification.

A group of Ministry employees also issued a warning regarding the accelerated processing of competitions, which they claim lack legitimacy. They reported that many prominent artists and cultural professionals have ceased participating in Ministry competitions due to chronic delays in announcing results and publishing competition details. The employees are demanding an explanation from the Minister of Culture in technical mandate, Nikola Selaković, regarding the criteria used for these public fund allocations.