Projects of the Dr Zoran Djindjic Foundation
Since its founding in 2003, the Zoran Djindjic Foundation has carried out projects that preserve the memory of Dr Djindjic’s work and revive the values of modernization, education, openness, and social responsibility. Through its activities, the Foundation inspires young people to actively engage in shaping a democratic and prosperous society, both in Serbia and across the region.
The Foundation’s projects focus on political education, professional development, regional cooperation, and international exchange. Through all its initiatives, the Zoran Djindjic Foundation aims to inspire young people to think critically, learn continuously, and act responsibly. By promoting knowledge, mobility, and mutual understanding, the Foundation builds bridges between the region and Europe—in the spirit of the values that Zoran Djindjic stood for.
Ongoing Projects
Zoran Djindjic Internship Programme of German Business
Launched in 2004 in cooperation with the German government and the German business sector, this Programme enables students and young professionals from Serbia and the Western Balkans to gain valuable work experience through internships at leading German companies. To date, more than 1,000 scholarship holders have spent time in Germany, where they had the opportunity to develop professionally and connect with international experts. Since 2007, the Programme has also been open to candidates from across the region.
Alumni Club
The Alumni Club brings together former participants of the German, Austrian, and Italian scholarship programmes. It serves as a platform for continuous networking, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives in the spirit of cooperation, tolerance, and responsibility. Club members regularly participate in seminars, lectures, and projects that strengthen their professional and social roles.
Regional School of Political Philosophy
This school offers young people from the region a space to explore the political thought of Zoran Djindjic through lectures, workshops, and discussions, while also engaging with broader topics in political theory, the rule of law, and a democratic society. The Programme aims to develop a new generation of engaged and educated young individuals who recognize the importance of political dialogue and public responsibility.
Past Projects
Experiencing Europe: Young Serbian Professionals in Austria (2008–2012)The
Programme “Experiencing Europe: Young Serbian Professionals in Austria” was implemented in four cycles from 2008 to 2012, in cooperation with WUS Austria and the Austrian Development Agency. Through the Programme, 200 final-year students and young graduates from Serbia had the opportunity to complete three-month internships in Austrian companies and institutions.
Participants first attended a two-week introductory module in Vienna, which included European and Austrian studies, as well as an intensive German language course. The Programme strengthened youth employability, encouraged international exchange, and brought European values closer to Serbian youth, promoting the ideas of an open and democratic society that Zoran Djindjic stood for.
Young Professionals in Italy – Zoran Djindjic Scholarship Programme (2011–2012)
Inspired by the success of the German and Austrian programmes, the Zoran Djindjic Foundation, in cooperation with the Serbian-Italian Business Council, launched a professional internship programme in Italy in 2011. In 2012, the first – and unfortunately only – generation of about 15 final-year students and recent graduates completed three-month internships in renowned Italian companies such as Ducati Energia, UniCredit Banca, Edison, Italferr, and others.
Summer School on European Integration and Democratization, Belgrade – Konstanz (2014–2019)
Organized in cooperation with the University of Konstanz and the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, this Summer School brought together students from Serbia and Germany for intensive dialogue on European integration, the current challenges of democracy, and regional cooperation. The Programme fostered intercultural understanding and encouraged academic exchange between the two countries.
Support for Young Talents: “Traveling for Knowledge” (2011–2022)
Through this project, the Foundation provided financial support to students representing Serbia at international conferences, seminars, and academic events. In this way, young people were given the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with peers and professionals from around the world.
Collected Works of Zoran Djindjic (2009–2013)
In cooperation with the National Library of Serbia, the Foundation published five volumes of philosophical, political, and previously unpublished writings by Zoran Djindjic. This edition represents an important contribution to preserving his intellectual legacy and introducing his ideas into contemporary political and academic discourse.
Speeches in Honor of Zoran (2006–2018)
“Speeches in Honor of Zoran” was a public speaking competition organized jointly by the Zoran Djindjic Foundation and the Democratic Party from 2006 to 2018, on the anniversary of Zoran Djindjic’s assassination. Young people aged 18 to 30 spoke on political, social, and cultural topics, promoting values such as knowledge, responsibility, and courage. The competition aimed to encourage critical thinking, rhetorical skills, and civic engagement.
One Thousand Young Leaders (2006–2008)
The “One Thousand Young Leaders” Programme was implemented from 2006 to 2008 in cooperation with the National Office and the Zoran Djindjic Foundation, under the patronage of President Boris Tadić. The aim of the Programme was to empower youth across Serbia through professional training, leadership development, and practical project work. Within the Programme, 1,000 selected participants attended seminars in various fields—from agriculture to entrepreneurship—acquiring knowledge and skills, developing leadership, and ultimately creating business projects presented to potential investors and companies.
