The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS) organized the one-day workshop on September 15, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in Novi Sad entitled "Statistics for Better Decisions: Potential for Municipalities, Cities and Economy”.
The workshop was implemented within the framework of the subcomponent Decision Support System at Local Level (DMSS LL), which is part of the EU4SORS - Development of a Modern Statistical System project. The project is implemented by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia with the support of the European Union through the IPA 2022 program, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the Serbian statistical system and providing advanced analytical solutions.
The aim of the workshop was to introduce the representatives of local self-governments and regional chambers of commerce to the new role of statistics as an analytical service, which, in addition to providing key data and indicators for the local level, also offers digital tools for their more efficient analysis and application in the decision-making process.
During the workshop, the Pilot Survey was also presented, conducted in three areas – social, economic and environmental. Its results will serve as the basis for the preparation of the main survey planned for the next year, with the participation of all local self-governments and regional chambers of commerce in Serbia.
"Thanks to the financial support of the European Union, we are able to develop a system together with local self-governments that enables data-based decision-making. The implementation of the system at the local level means direct benefits for citizens - better planned policies, more efficient work of institutions and strengthening of interconnection. This cooperation with the EU represents an important step for us towards creating a modern, service-oriented administration," said Branko Josipović, Acting Director of SORS.
Mira Nikić, project manager, added: "Through cooperation with the European Union, the Office has been given the opportunity to strengthen its network of regional departments and provide systemic support to local self-governments. Through internal workshops, training and field activities, we are strengthening the dialogue with local institutions and working on the implementation of the system that enables better connectivity of administrative and statistical data sources."
The workshop was attended by representatives of local governments and regional chambers of commerce, who will be involved in the further implementation of the system. As the final result of the project, a modern, integrated statistical system will be established at the service of institutions, businesses and citizens.