At the beginning of 2020, the Belgrade Open School (BOS) started the implementation of a two-year project "Reclaiming Privacy: A Tool to Fight Oppression" in cooperation with Partners for Democratic Change Serbia (Partners Serbia), SHARE Foundation, Citizen’s Association Atina, Association Da se zna and A11 - Initiative for Economic and Social Rights. The project is implemented with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

The level of personal data protection in Serbia is unsatisfactory due to the threat to the privacy of citizens by the state and the media, mass digital surveillance, unauthorized disclosure of information, harassment in digital sphere, all of which have a negative impact on freedom of expression and civic activism in Serbia.

Therefore, the project aims to support human rights defenders, civil society organizations (CSOs) and vulnerable groups in protecting the right to privacy. Bearing in mind that violations of the right to privacy and inadequate response of the state institutions mostly affect marginalized groups in society, the project partners strive to empower these groups in protecting their rights by providing necessary information, knowledge, legal assistance and support.

The specific objectives of the project are to:

• support human rights defenders and CSOs to defend the right to privacy through documentation of human rights and privacy violations;
• provide human rights defenders, CSOs, and educators with the skills and knowledge to protect vulnerable groups’ privacy rights;
• increase the protection of privacy of vulnerable groups through the provision of legal aid and support.

Project activities include:

• establishing online human rights and privacy documentation platform;
• analyzing and reporting on Republic of Serbia’s implementation of privacy-related legal framework and standards;
• conducting case studies on gross human rights and privacy violations;
• media monitoring and making recommendations for Press Council and other relevant institutions;
• organizing annual public conferences and online campaigns to present research, case studies, recommendations and policy proposals;
• capacity building of human rights defenders and CSOs on protecting privacy rights;
• organizing local panel discussions;
• capacity building to protect the privacy of high school teachers and students;
• initiating court proceedings due to privacy violations;
• providing legal advice to human rights defenders and CSOs;
• creating guides, leaflets and online tools for human rights defenders, CSOs, public institutions and vulnerable groups.

The focus of BOS's work within this project will be on strengthening the awareness of educators and young people about the importance of privacy protection, as well as strengthening their capacities in protecting the right to privacy of personal data. By organizing the trainings, BOS will try to bring young people closer to the problem of protecting their own and other people's privacy, personal data, threats, harassment on internet and abuse of privacy. Through the counseling program, BOS will additionally train students to acquire in-depth knowledge on these topics, which will encourage them to apply the acquired knowledge in school activities. Trained students will be able to convey information to their peers, thus expanding the domain of action. Upon completion of the workshops, students and teachers will have necessary knowledge and skills for combating discrimination and abuse of privacy.