Ecorys concludes two evaluations on inclusive education and cross-border cooperation in Serbia

Ecorys has successfully completed two major evaluations in Serbia, focused on inclusive education and cross-border cooperation under EU-funded programmes.

The assignments, carried out on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, assessed the performance, results, and longer-term perspectives of key interventions supporting education reform and regional cooperation. Building on earlier work, the evaluations aimed to generate evidence-based insights and practical recommendations to inform future EU programming.

Strengthening inclusive education in Serbia

One of the evaluations focused on EU support to inclusive education in Serbia, including interventions aimed at improving access to quality education for children from vulnerable groups, such as children with disabilities, Roma communities, and those affected by socio-economic disadvantage.

The evaluation examined both system-level reforms and practical measures implemented on the ground, including:

• Strengthening policy, legal and institutional frameworks;
• Capacity building for teachers and education professionals;
• Development of support mechanisms and services for students requiring additional support;
• Efforts to address the digital divide, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The analysis highlighted how EU-supported interventions contributed to improving access to education, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting more inclusive practices across the system. Our final report also recommended the use the EU accession process to reinforce the adoption and implementation of inclusive education reforms and to develop a long-term digital inclusion plan within the Ministry of Education.

Supporting cross-border cooperation

The second evaluation focused on EU-funded cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes under IPA II, involving Serbia and neighbouring countries.

These programmes aim to support economic, social and territorial development in border regions by encouraging joint projects between public authorities, civil society organisations and other local actors. 

The evaluation assessed the performance of multiple CBC programmes across different thematic areas, including:

• employment and social inclusion;
• environmental protection and risk management;
• tourism, culture and natural heritage.

It examined how cross-border cooperation has contributed to strengthening partnerships, fostering joint solutions, and supporting the development of border regions, while also identifying lessons to improve future programme design and implementation.

In the final report, the team of Ecorys recommended that the next CBC programme should better address local needs, and to support, small-scale environment protection and nature conservation measures, including waste management. These measures, apart from solving pressing environment related local needs, will contribute to enhancing the touristic potential through cleaner environment and nature-based attractions. The team also suggested some improvements in the governance of the programme as well as more active actions to capacitate and enable the civil society in border regions to participate in the future CBC interventions.

Supporting evidence-based decision-making

Both evaluations were carried out using a mixed-methods approach, combining document review, stakeholder consultations and fieldwork across Serbia. This allowed the team to capture perspectives from national institutions, local actors and programme beneficiaries.

The findings provide a solid basis for identifying lessons learned and for informing future EU interventions, with a focus on effectiveness, sustainability and EU added value.

Looking ahead

These evaluations underline the importance of continuous learning and evidence-based policy-making in complex reform contexts. By drawing on lessons from implementation, Ecorys contributes to strengthening future EU support aimed at fostering inclusive, resilient and high-quality public systems.