Trag Foundation informs the public that on the morning of February 25, the Criminal Police Directorate entered our premises and reviewed our organization’s documentation. According to the statement from the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, the inspections are related to the financing of civil society by the U.S. Agency for International Development—USAID. Trag Foundation cooperates with state authorities, and all requested documentation has been provided for review and analysis.
This situation is yet another attempt to intimidate civil society organizations, which are often targeted by government officials and media outlets connected to them. Such pressures are part of a broader trend of shrinking the space for organizations working on human rights protection, democratization of society, and the empowerment of citizens. The aim of these actions is not only to delegitimize the work of the civil sector but also to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the wake of student and civil protests that have been taking place across Serbia for the past three months.
For 25 years, the Trag Foundation has been strengthening local communities, supporting civil initiatives, and building a democratic society. We have supported over 2,400 initiatives that directly contribute to establishing a fairer and more solidary society and empowering citizens to make their communities a better place for all.
We offer our full support to our colleagues from Civil Initiatives and CRTA, and we will continue to inform the public about the measures being taken through our social media and website. Thank you for your support and understanding.