Development trends in the Republic of Serbia are defined in the following strategic documents: National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis (2013-2016), the Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with Forecasts for 2015 and 2016, Industry Development Strategy and Policy of the Republic of Serbia 2011 – 2020, Public Administration Reform Strategy of the Republic of Serbia and others.
The Republic of Serbia does not have a comprehensive strategy in the field of human resources and social development. The Poverty Reduction Strategy for Serbia achieved its goal – to reduce poverty by half in the period from 2003 through 2008.
Building on the EU Enlargement Strategy 2013 – 2014, the European Commission has launched a new process to identify and monitor the priorities in the field of employment and social policy in the acceding countries – the Employment and Social Reform Programme – ESRP. The implementation of the ESRP will be a strategic process, structured against the Europe 2020 Strategy which is implemented by member states. The ESRP will complement the European integration process as a main mechanism for leading a dialogue on the priorities of the Republic of Serbia in the field of social policy and employment in the EU accession process. The ESRP development was officially launched in September 2013, and its adoption by the Government of the Republic of Serbia is due towards the end of 2014. The European Commission will monitor its implementation annually, through annual progress reports and respective events. The ESRP covers the issues of labor market and employment, human capital and skills, social inclusion and social welfare, and pension and health systems. Specific focus will be on youth employment due to a high unemployment rate among youth.
When it comes to sector strategies, the strategic framework of the Republic of Serbia comprises 91 sector strategies and 14 cross-sector strategies, of which 25 strategies belong to the human resources and human development sector. The most relevant cross-sector strategies which tackle social inclusion are: the Anti-Discrimination Strategy, the Strategy for Advancing the Status of the Roma Population in the Republic of Serbia and the National Strategy for Advancing the Position of Women and Improving Gender Equality.