Serbia transferred at least €111,700 to three North Macedonian groups backing Vučić

According to an investigation by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), Serbian state institutions transferred at least €111,700 to three associations in North Macedonia. Representatives of these associations openly support Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The funds were distributed through the Diaspora Office under Serbia's Foreign Ministry, mainly for projects on culture, Orthodox faith and the preservation of the Cyrillic alphabet.

One beneficiary, the Kumanovo-based association “Peace, Unity, Stability”, held a rally supporting Vučić on 23 May. According to the investigation, the association received €3,400 for Orthodox religious projects 38 days before the rally and another €2,500 for Cyrillic preservation a few weeks later. Its chair, Maya Denkovska, declined to speak to BIRN, citing health problems.

The largest sum, €84,500, went to the Serbian Cultural Center in Skopje. Zoran Jugić, head of the Union of Serbs in Bitola, rejected claims that funds were used for political purposes, saying the projects concern culture, folklore and sport. BIRN did not find that all funds were spent directly on party activities, but it highlights the link between state funding and public political support. Serbia's Foreign Ministry and Diaspora Office did not respond to requests for comment.