Belgrade – On December 13, 2017, the Judicial Academy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a U.S. government agency, celebrated the accomplishments and marked the closure of the two-and–a-half-year, $500,000, Judicial Academy support project.

USAID worked with the Judicial Academy to further the Academy’s capacity to train and educate members of Serbia’s judiciary. In particular, the project supported the development of an electronic learning platform called e-Academy, the establishment of Judicial Academy regional offices in Novi Sad and Kragujevac, and strengthened the Academy’s administrative capacities to provide better training for judiciary.

“Judicial reforms are not just required for EU accession; they are the cornerstone of governance and economic reforms and essential to Serbia’s well-being and prosperity. At the heart of these reforms are independent, accountable and professional judges and judicial staff, who depend on high-quality judicial education and training”, said US Ambassador Kyle Scott.

“We in the Judicial Academy do not view this project just as donor-provided support. We see ourselves as partners who share USAID’s goal- strengthening the Judicial Academy”, said the Director Nenad Vujic. “Our joint, systemic approach established clear criteria for professionalism, ensuring greater accountability, efficiency and independence for the Serbian judiciary. This will result in increased trust of citizens in judicial institutions and the rule of law.”

“The appointment of future judges must be based on professional and well-trained staff, as it is our strong protection and a way towards creation of independent and efficient judiciary the citizens have trust in”, said Dragomir Milojevic, the President of the High Court Council. “The Judicial Academy should continue strengthening its own capacities and taking measures to increase the quality level of the training programs by introducing modern learning methods“.

Serbia’s Judicial Academy is responsible for the training and education of Serbia’s judiciary. The Judicial Academy plays an essential role in ensuring the professional, independent, unbiased, and efficient performance of judicial and prosecutorial staff.

USAID has supported Serbia’s judiciary since 2001, investing almost $70 million to strengthen the rule of law.