On the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the University of Priština temporarily located in Kosovska Mitrovica and the 55th anniversary of this higher education institution, the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes was awarded the Vidovdan Plaque in recognition of its contribution to the development of cooperation and the support provided to the University. The award was received on behalf of the Agency by its Director, Dr Ivica Lazović.

“Some awards have a special significance precisely because they are unexpected. The Vidovdan Plaque, which I received on behalf of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, is truly a great honour. At the same time, it represents an encouragement to continue supporting the University in its mission, as it is an institution that has been preserving knowledge, education and the identity of our people in Kosovo and Metohija for decades. This recognition also belongs to all employees of the Agency, whose work has contributed to us being recognised as a reliable partner and friend of the University,” said the Director of the Agency, Dr Ivica Lazović.

The Vidovdan Plaque represents a significant recognition for the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes and confirms the successful cooperation established with the University of Priština temporarily located in Kosovska Mitrovica. For many years, the two institutions have successfully cooperated through joint professional activities, the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as through support for the development of peaceful settlement of labour disputes, social dialogue and labour law practice.

This recognition further strengthens the commitment of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes to continue developing partnerships with higher education institutions and, in cooperation with the academic community, contribute to the advancement of labour law expertise, strengthening of social dialogue and promotion of peaceful settlement of labour disputes.

The Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes has commenced the implementation of its first cross-border project aimed at improving the system of peaceful settlement of labour disputes in the cross-border area between Serbia and Bulgaria.

The project “Cross-border Dialogue for Alternative Labour Dispute Resolution – Strengthening Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration Services” is being implemented in partnership with the National Institute for Conciliation and Arbitration of the Republic of Bulgaria, within the framework of the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme 2021–2027.

The implementation of the project officially started with the signing of the Grant Agreement on 24 June 2026 in Sofia, which created the conditions for carrying out project activities over the next two years.

The objective of the project is to strengthen the system of peaceful settlement of labour disputes through the development of joint tools, exchange of experiences and good practices, strengthening of institutional capacities, as well as improving the accessibility of conciliation and arbitration services for citizens and employers in the cross-border area between Serbia and Bulgaria.

Through joint activities, the partners will develop modern solutions and mechanisms that will contribute to more efficient, accessible and high-quality peaceful settlement of labour disputes, while strengthening cross-border cooperation and social dialogue.

The particular importance of the project lies in the fact that the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes is participating in an international project as the Lead Partner for the first time. This represents an important step in the further development of the Agency’s international cooperation and confirms its professional expertise and institutional capacity to prepare and implement complex international projects.

Through the implementation of this project, the Agency continues to strengthen the system of peaceful settlement of labour disputes and improve access to justice in the field of labour, with the aim of providing citizens and employers with simpler, faster and more efficient access to peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, while promoting a culture of dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.

A Cooperation Agreement between the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes and the Institute of Comparative Law was signed on 8 June 2026 at the premises of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

The Agreement was signed by the Director of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, Dr Ivica Lazović, and the Acting Director of the Institute of Comparative Law, Dr Miloš Stanić. The signing ceremony was also attended by Dr Jovana Rajić Ćalić, Research Associate at the Institute of Comparative Law, as well as Dragana Andonovska and Jelena Golubović, representatives of the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

By signing the Agreement, a framework was established for strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with a particular focus on scientific research, the development and promotion of alternative dispute resolution, as well as the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices. The cooperation will be implemented through joint projects, conferences, seminars, round tables and other activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of both institutions and further developing the system of peaceful settlement of labour disputes.

The signed Agreement represents an important step towards deepening cooperation between scientific research institutions and institutions responsible for the practical application of law, with the aim of further developing labour law theory and practice in the Republic of Serbia.

On 29 May 2026, the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes held an Introductory Workshop marking the beginning of activities related to the implementation of the second cycle of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).

The workshop was attended by the Agency’s Self-Assessment Group, whose members will actively participate in the forthcoming period in the process of analysing the institution’s performance, identifying areas for improvement, and defining new development measures.

The workshop was organised with the professional support of the CAF support team, consisting of Goran Paštrović, external CAF expert, and Slaven Bukarica, ReSPA Quality Management Officer. During the workshop, participants were introduced to the methodology for conducting the CAF self-assessment, the different phases of the process, the roles and responsibilities of the Self-Assessment Group members, as well as the activities planned within the second CAF cycle.

A special part of the workshop was dedicated to presenting the results achieved during the first cycle of CAF implementation in the Agency. The most significant achievements in the areas of improving organisational processes, developing the quality management system, and strengthening institutional capacities were presented, as well as the activities that contributed to obtaining the prestigious “CAF Effective User” label. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the implemented improvement measures and their impact on the Agency’s work and overall functioning.

Special attention was also devoted to presenting the CAF model as a modern European quality management tool in public administration, which promotes organisational learning, the development of a quality culture, and continuous improvement of institutional performance.

The introductory workshop officially marked the beginning of the operational phase of the second CAF cycle at the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes. Building on the results achieved during the first cycle and the fact that the Agency was the first institution in the Republic of Serbia to obtain the “CAF Effective User” label, the new cycle will focus on further strengthening institutional capacities, improving internal processes, and developing high-quality services for users.

Through the implementation of these activities, the Agency continues to demonstrate its commitment to the principles of excellence, responsible governance, and continuous improvement, in line with the best European practices in the field of public administration.

In the process of peaceful settlement of a collective labor dispute conducted regarding the conclusion of a collective agreement in the Municipality of Krupanj, the parties to the dispute reached an agreement on how to overcome the disputed issues and continue social dialogue.

The procedure was initiated at the proposal of the Organization of the Independent Trade Union of the Municipality of Krupanj, with the consent of the other party – the Municipality of Krupanj. Assistant Professor Dr. Aleksandar Antić was appointed as the conciliator in this procedure and, in accordance with the law, chaired the Conciliation Board, which also included representatives of both the trade union and the employer.

Following the hearings and the harmonization of positions regarding the disputed issues, the Conciliation Board unanimously adopted a Recommendation on the method for resolving the dispute. The Recommendation proposed that the parties conclude a collective agreement based on the agreed draft text of the collective agreement.

The agreement reached has created conditions for the continuation of constructive negotiations and the preservation of stable relations between the employer and employees. By reaching this agreement, representatives of the trade union and the employer confirmed that solutions acceptable to both parties can be achieved through dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation, further emphasizing the importance of the peaceful settlement of labor disputes and the strengthening of social dialogue.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes has launched the second cycle of implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), in cooperation with the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), continuing its activities aimed at improving the quality of work and further developing institutional capacities.

On the occasion of the launch of the new cycle, Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Jelena Mrdak, Acting Director of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), signed the Project Assignment, formally initiating the implementation process of the second CAF cycle within the Agency.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes was the first institution in the Republic of Serbia to receive the prestigious “CAF Effective User” label, confirming a high level of commitment to the principles of quality management and continuous improvement. Building on the results achieved during the first cycle, the new cycle is focused on further strengthening the organizational culture of quality, improving performance management, and enhancing mechanisms for more efficient institutional functioning.

Particular emphasis will be placed on analyzing the results achieved during the previous period, evaluating the implemented activities, and defining new measures and priorities that will contribute to the further improvement of the Agency’s work and the quality of services provided to its users.

Activities within the second cycle will be carried out with mentoring support from experts of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), as well as engaged CAF specialists.

CAF (Common Assessment Framework) is a European quality management model designed for public administration institutions. It is based on organizational self-assessment, active participation of employees and managers, and the planning and implementation of activities aimed at the continuous improvement of work processes and service delivery to citizens.

By implementing the second CAF cycle, the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes continues to improve its internal processes and strengthen institutional capacities, reaffirming its commitment to the development of a modern, efficient, and high-quality public administration based on the principles of excellence and continuous improvement.