Sustainable and Green Business, Digitalization and Innovation Among NALED’s Key Priorities in 2026

Advocacy for reforms based on sustainable, digital and innovative solutions remains one of NALED’s main priorities in 2026. A notable example of good practice is the introduction of the eSick Leave (eBolovanje) system, which as of January 1 enables fully electronic exchange of sick-leave certificates and other data between employers and physicians, completely relieving citizens of the need to visit various counters while on sick leave.

Speaking on the Reform Stories podcast, NALED’s Program Director Jelena Bojović emphasized that digitalization is not only about reducing administrative burdens, but also an important step toward greater transparency in decision-making.

“Since 2011, Serbia has been working on the digitalization of healthcare. Medical records have already been digitized, but in the coming period we expect the integration of existing systems and electronic data exchange, so that examinations and diagnostics are not unnecessarily repeated across different healthcare institutions. It is important for patients that every doctor has timely access to their health information, enabling faster and more efficient responses,” Bojović explained.

In addition to digitalization, there is today almost no debate when it comes to sustainability. On the European market, it is increasingly difficult to remain competitive without operating in line with socially responsible standards.

“For example, when Swedish companies include suppliers from Serbia and other countries in their supply chains, they require business operations to comply with their rules. This is not only a matter of regulation, but also of the values upheld by those companies and their countries. In Serbia, around nine billion euros are spent annually through public procurement, which represents a major opportunity for the state to further value companies that operate sustainably or employ vulnerable social groups. This means more responsible use of budget funds and a strong incentive for the domestic economy,” said Ana Ilić, Director of NALED’s Good Governance Department.

Slobodan Krstović, NALED’s Director for Sustainable Development, emphasized that work must be carried out in parallel on improving national policies in the areas of ecology, food and energy stability.

“In 2026, we expect the continuation of reforms, particularly in waste management and the introduction of a deposit-return system for packaging. The eAgrar platform has recently become operational, and the next step we advocate for is the publication of a public register of agricultural incentives. This would further enhance the transparency of the support system in this sector and provide better insight into available measures, which is another way in which digitalization can contribute,” Krstović noted.

When it comes to the energy sector, Dušan Vasiljević, Director of NALED’s Competitiveness and Investments Department, pointed out that the broader use of renewable energy sources, as well as the development of power purchase agreements between businesses, will be in focus in the period ahead.

“We propose introducing a kind of one-stop shop for permits related to energy infrastructure. As a society, we have a strong interest in treating these projects as a national priority and focusing limited resources so that these requests are processed as quickly as possible,” Vasiljević explained.

As one of the key reforms whose implementation will continue in 2026, Vasiljević highlighted the registration of property ownership rights in the cadastre. Resolving the issue of 4.8 million unregistered properties, whose value is measured in billions of euros, brings legal certainty for owners and significant potential for the real estate market.

In 2026, NALED will continue to advocate measures to combat the grey economy, primarily through the development of a cashless society, strengthening the capacities of inspection oversight, and facilitating foreign trade. Plans also include more intensive advocacy for improving the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening links between science and the economy, regulating parafiscal charges, developing models of regenerative agriculture, as well as monitoring and supporting institutions in the implementation of the “Own on Your Own” reform.