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2 clusters · 4 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs diaspora funding inquiry

Overview

An investigation by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) has revealed that the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via its Directorate for Diaspora Affairs, allocated over 250,000 euros to various diaspora organizations in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina over a three-year period.

The report alleges that these funds supported groups promoting the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), spreading Russian political narratives, glorifying war criminals, or advocating for far-right and anti-gender equality positions. Specific examples include the association Izražajnost, which received 23,800 euros for Cyrillic script projects, and the Association of War Veterans of the Serbian Territories 1990–1999, which received 8,500 euros for youth summer camps. The leader of the veterans' association has previously faced controversy regarding military training for minors in Russia. The Ministry and the Directorate have not responded to inquiries regarding these findings.

Entities

Serbian Progressive Party · Directorate for Diaspora Affairs · Balkan Investigative Reporting Network · Aleksandar Vučić · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    NIS allocates 144.5 million dinars to 36 community projects in Serbia

    NIS is investing 144.5 million dinars into 36 community projects across 13 Serbian cities, focusing on education, health, culture, and environmental protection.

  2. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded pro-SNS organizations

    A BIRN investigation found the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided over 250,000 euros to diaspora groups promoting the SNS party, Russian narratives, and far-right views.

Sources

bizlife.rs · magyarszo.rs · mondo.rs · szabadmagyarszo.com