Presentation as part of the Round Table “Mechanisms of Participatory Democracy as a Response to the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century”
Explaining the internal organization of the movement “Do Not Let Belgrade Drown” (Ne davimo Beograd) is best approached by answering two key questions:
- Where does power reside, and how is it distributed within the organization?
- What are the primary mechanisms of member participation, and how do they function?
The highest authority within “Do Not Let Belgrade Drown” lies with the Assembly, which comprises all members. All key decisions are made at the Assembly level.
The Grand Council serves as the strategic and legislative body, making it the most critical organ of the movement. It consists of coordinators from both territorial and thematic groups. Operational groups participate in its work and discussions without voting rights. The Grand Council derives its legitimacy from being elected by a majority vote of all members at the Assembly, and its structure contributes significantly to strengthening internal democratic relations.
The Executive Council acts as the executive body responsible for implementing decisions and carrying out tasks assigned by the Grand Council. To achieve this, it forms Operational Groups and relies on permanent operational bodies: the Secretariat, the Media Group, and the International Secretary.
The movement also features an Ethics Committee and a Supervisory Board.
Gender Balance and Inclusivity
The movement’s Statute mandates a “dualism of functions”—every leadership position must be held simultaneously by a woman and a man. Given broader societal challenges in empowering women to participate in political processes, formal openness alone is often insufficient due to existing systemic barriers. To counteract this, every internal role includes a woman who is encouraged and positioned to eventually take part in key political decision-making. The “feminization of politics” is a foundational principle of the movement.
“Do Not Let Belgrade Drown” also actively empowers other marginalized groups, considering this an essential element of internal democracy.
Participatory Processes and Candidate Selection
The primary challenge regarding participatory processes was forming election lists for the April 2022 parliamentary and local elections. Unlike typical political party dynamics, the difficulty lay not in managing competition for positions, but in encouraging members to accept spots on the ballot. Members take responsibility very seriously, causing hesitation among candidates who eventually became MPs and councilors, as many did not fully anticipate the workload required to perform exceptionally.
The list candidate selection process operated as follows:
- Delegation: Each territorial and thematic group nominated candidates based on size and measurable variables.
- Parity: Nominations strictly adhered to equal gender representation or favored female candidates.
- Evaluation: The process highlighted which selection variables functioned fairly and which required adjustment, serving as a learning experience for future cycles.
Field Engagement and Public Interaction
All movement activities rely on direct, continuous contact with citizens:
- Urban Planning Objections: When filing formal objections to city strategies and urban plans, the movement consulted directly with affected residents to incorporate their feedback and proposed solutions. Citizens showed high motivation and engagement, even knowing local authorities were unlikely to adopt opposition proposals.
- Direct Support: The movement consistently provided on-the-ground support for local citizen initiatives, allowing public priorities to shape its agenda.
- Policy Foundation: Direct insight into local issues serves as the foundation for the movement’s formal political platform.
Transitioning into a Political Party
The ongoing transition of “Do Not Let Belgrade Drown” into a formal political party remains highly participatory. The Initiative Board comprises multiple working groups:
- Open Access: Every member is free to join any working group, collaborate with experts, and submit proposals.
- Statute Drafting: Members actively participate in the legal group drafting the party statute to ensure rules remain practical and effective for local boards.
- Shared Ownership: The organization maintains the core principle that all processes and structures belong equally to all members.
Organizational Challenges
Implementing deep participatory mechanisms introduces operational hurdles:
- Resource Constraints: The movement originated with activists who maintain professional careers. As institutional involvement grows, available free time becomes a scarce resource for individuals taking on major roles.
- Flexible Engagement: The organization aims to accommodate varying levels of member availability without creating unnecessary barriers to entry.
Redefining Political Culture
Most political parties in Serbia practice “old politics”—relying on unprincipled compromises, exposure to external influence, and negative messaging that alienates citizens.
“Do Not Let Belgrade Drown” positions itself as a different political actor by focusing on:
- Constructive Proposals: Communicating clear solutions directly to citizens through inclusive processes.
- Fair Competition: Engaging in political competition based on platform, ideology, and personnel within established, fair rules.
- Citizen Power: Treating power not as something owned by politicians or governments, but as belonging to citizens—with politics serving strictly as a medium to translate public power into institutional action.