Disaster Resilience in Serbia: A Narrative Synthesis of Institutional, Social, and Perception-Based Evidence

This paper examines disaster resilience from a multidisciplinary perspective in the Republic of Serbia. It analyses the development of disaster management within the contemporary Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction System, which is grounded in the core principles of community resilience. The study explores how resilience is perceived by stakeholders involved in its development, primarily institutions and their organizational structures in Serbia, as well as individuals, including professional representatives of institutions and citizens. Drawing on findings from studies measuring the resilience of local communities in Serbia, the paper identifies key challenges Serbia faces in strengthening disaster resilience. Although normative frameworks for enhancing resilience exist, mechanisms for implementing instruments at the local level remain insufficient. Limited public awareness, fragmented cooperation, and a pronounced reliance on central authorities persist as the main institutional constraints. At the individual level, structural and psychosocial factors shape perceptions of resilience. An assessment of the current status of key resilience stakeholders in Serbia indicates a clear need for continuous resilience measurement and for identifying the most influential determinants. Resilience cannot be adequately understood without a deeper and more comprehensive consideration of its constituent factors. Low perceived resilience among both institutional representatives and citizens underscores the need for comprehensive, targeted reforms to address deficiencies consistently revealed in empirical research. Strengthening the institutional capacities of local self-government units, encouraging citizen participation in planning processes, integrating traditional values with scientific approaches, and promoting a culture of prevention through education are among the short-term steps to be undertaken. In contrast, long-term strategic investment in community and institutional capacities is a fundamental requirement. These measures can foster social cohesion, institutional trust, and local capacities, which are key determinants of resilience.