In the context of the ongoing analytical work for the OECD project on Just Transition in the Western Balkans through supporting coordinated energy sector, fiscal and social protection reform, and following the project’s inception phase mission to Belgrade in early 2023, the OECD team was in Serbia between 3-5 April 2024.
On this occasion, the aim was to discuss their work and gather the views of civil society organisations on issues related to energy reforms in Serbia. This was an opportunity to share the draft inventory of energy subsidies and support measures for Serbia, a key project pillar, and to collect feedback on the initial results. It was also offer the opportunity to discuss possible scenarios for reform that will be then explored through the modelling tools the project is developing both at the micro and macro levels.
Aleksandar Macura discussed gender component that seeks to assess potential impacts of energy sector reforms on women, men, girls, and boys. The aim of the meeting is to gain a deeper understanding of gender vulnerabilities related to potential energy reforms that would increase energy prices in Serbia.
During the meeting, the OECD team acted as a moderator and guide the discussion to explore key questions regarding the impact of the energy transition on women as consumers in Serbia. This includes questions about:
- the different energy needs and uses of men and women,
- the role of gender in household decision-making related to energy,
- gender specific vulnerabilities in the implementation of social protection measures, and
- the intersecting identities that are key to understand the different faces of energy poverty.
The event brought together experts from civil society, academia and the private sector in an open discussion of the gender specific aspects of energy poverty in Serbia.
With the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the OECD Development Centre has been supporting Serbia and the Western Balkan economies through a Just Transition project since early 2023. The project has developed an inventory of energy subsidies and support measures in Serbia and the region and is currently undertaking simulations to understand the potential impact of energy subsidies and support measures on energy prices, household budgets, jobs and fiscal space.