Over the past months, Serbia has experienced significant political and social turbulence. The student-led mass protests that have swept across the country were sparked by a devastating event: the collapse of the canopy at the recently renovated Novi Sad railway station, a disaster that claimed the lives of 16 people—among them several university students.The tragedy, which unfolded just months after the station’s high-profile reopening, has become a national symbol of systemic decay – a visceral illustration of how decades of corruption, negligence, and cronyism have undermined public safety in Serbia.
For many, the collapse was not just an accident but a consequence of a corrupt political system that prioritises profit over people, power over responsibility. In response, students initiated the movement “Serbia Needs to Stop.” At 11:52 a.m., the exact time of the collapse, participants observed 15 (which, unfortunately, later became 16) minutes of silence to honor each victim. This act of remembrance was met with government repression, which only intensified public outrage and catalysed the movement’s growth—ultimately leading to widespread university blockades with clear demands: transparency in infrastructure spending, criminal accountability for the collapse, and justice for the victims.
The movement garnered robust support from university professors, actors, lawyers, and high school students, who also joined the blockades, amplifying the call for systemic reform and heightened governmental accountability. But this movement soon grew into something even larger—a collective cry for a more democratic, participatory, and accountable society.
As the demonstrations intensified through the months, the government’s response shifted from initial silence to active repression. Riot police were deployed, protest participants were surveilled, and independent media outlets faced growing intimidation. In a grave violation of civil liberties, authorities intensified their repression on 15 March 2025, during what became the largest demonstrations in the history of Serbia, by deploying an unidentified sonic device that emitted painful, high-frequency sounds against peaceful protesters in Belgrade—marking an alarming escalation in state violence.This marked a chilling culmination of state overreach, drawing condemnation from international human rights organizations and further galvanizing public resistance within Serbia.
Plenums: A New Democratic Architecture
From the very beginning students across Serbia began organising through a system of plenums—open, non-hierarchical assemblies where every participant has an equal voice. These plenums became the epicenter of the movement, emphasising deliberation, consensus, and inclusivity. Firstly, these plenums were simple: gatherings on their faculties where students discussed repression, shared stories of police brutality, and explored how to respond. Over time, they became more structured.
Each plenum is facilitated by rotating volunteers, and decisions are made by consensus or, when necessary, by supermajority vote after extensive deliberation. The plenums also established working groups to tackle specific issues—legal aid, media relations, logistics, security, and political strategy. Everything from protest routes to the wording of public statements was discussed and agreed upon collectively. For example, a special working group called Students in every village (Studenti u svakom selu) was established in order to fight the spread of misinformation by the corrupted regime media in the rural and isolated parts of the country. As part of this effort, students travel to towns and villages, setting up information booths and engaging directly with locals to explain their demands and the reasons behind the ongoing student protests.
Extending Democratic Practices to Citizens
Recognising the power of collective decision-making, students decided to extend their democratic practices to local communities and citizens. Through the social networks, which are their main tool of announcing and sharing information, they released a set of manuals in order to educate citizens on the principles of direct democracy, facilitating the formation of citizens’ assemblies across Serbia.
Citizens responded enthusiastically. In cities and villages across Serbia, citizens’ assemblies began to form, often inspired or supported by student facilitators. These assemblies tackled local concerns—corruption in municipal councils, environmental degradation, failing public infrastructure—and made binding decisions based on collective deliberation. In this way communities are empowered to deliberate and decide on local issues, fostering a culture of active civic engagement.
In cities like Kraljevo, Niš and Novi Sad, but also municipalities of the capital city of Belgrade, citizens’ assemblies have become platforms for addressing local concerns, from municipal corruption to public infrastructure projects. This grassroots mobilisation has led to tangible outcomes, including increased transparency and accountability at the local level. In many cases, these efforts have led to direct confrontations with local authorities, but also to victories—forcing resignations, halting unlawful construction projects, and regaining access to public spaces.
In their pursuit of fostering grassroots democratic engagement, Serbian students developed a comprehensive manual to guide citizens in organising and conducting local assemblies. This manual provides step-by-step instructions on initiating community gatherings, facilitating discussions, and voting. This initiative aimed to empower citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes, thereby strengthening democratic practices at the local level.
Translation:
Signaling
By raising their hand, participants signal their desire to speak during the discussion. These gestures can be as follows:
Speech – The participant had two minutes to express an opinion or formulate a proposal;
Reply – The participant has 30 seconds to respond to another participant’s speech;
Question: The participant has 45 seconds to ask a question;
Technical reply – The participant corrects a misrepresented fact or a mistake according to the regulations.
The priority for speaking after the first speech is as follows: technical reply, reply, speech.
Reactions are used for quick participant responses without interrupting the speaker or speaking out of the turn. They can be: positive, negative, or repetition.
The manual emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and transparency, encouraging communities to adapt the guidelines to their unique contexts. By equipping citizens with these tools, the students sought to transform widespread discontent into constructive action, enabling communities to address local concerns effectively and hold authorities accountable. This approach has not only galvanised public participation but also fostered a renewed sense of agency among Serbian citizens.
A Blueprint for Participatory Democracy
What the Serbian students have accomplished is remarkable not just for its bravery but for its vision. By refusing to wait for change from above, they have reactivated democracy at its root: the people’s right to decide, together, how they live.
Through plenums, students have shown that horizontal decision-making is not only possible but deeply powerful in the face of authoritarianism. By giving the tools of self-organization and direct democracy to citizens, they have helped spark a democratic renaissance—one that doesn’t rely on parties or leaders, but on shared responsibility and mutual empowerment.
In a moment when democracy feels fragile around the globe, Serbia’s student-led movement is a potent reminder: democracy isn’t something we have. It’s something we do. And in the squares, parks, and classrooms of Serbia, it’s being done—loudly, deliberately, and together.
Standing in solidarity with Serbian students
Eutropian, as an organisation committed to inclusive urban processes, social justice, and participatory democracy, stands in full solidarity with the students and citizens of Serbia. Their struggle is not only a fight for justice but a bold and necessary act of democratic renewal, led from the bottom up. We recognise the extraordinary courage and clarity with which Serbian students, supported by professors, artists, lawyers, farmers, high schoolers, and many other social groups, are reclaiming public space and political voice. Their calls for accountability embody the very essence of participatory urbanism and community-led transformation.
In this spirit, we invite the international academic community to stand with Serbian colleagues, and to support them in this vital moment for democracy and transparency. We encourage you to read and sign the public appeal, adding your voice to a growing call for justice, dignity, and a new form of democratic participation grounded in solidarity and care.
Link to the appeal:
https://forms.office.com/e/jnVLs00DLW
Article written by Stefanija Hrle Aiello
More information about the progress of the protests can be found on Instagram, on the official page of Students in blockade and individual participating faculties and schools. Some of the links:
Students in blockades: https://www.instagram.com/studenti_u_blokadi?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Faculty of Dramatic Arts: https://www.instagram.com/sviublokade.fdu?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Faculty of Law: https://www.instagram.com/blokada_pravni?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Faculty of Organizational Sciences: https://www.instagram.com/blokada.fonbg?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Non-profit organization CRTA: https://www.instagram.com/crta.rs?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
TV station N1: https://www.instagram.com/n1srbija_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
