There is no office or institutional structure within the Serbian government responsible for mediating relations with civil society, no government strategy concerning civil society and no discernible government policy towards the sector as a whole. Within the Prime Minister’s Office, a Council of the President of the Republic for Relations with Civil Society (or Civil Society Council), which includes some CSO representation, does formally exist for facilitating CSO‐government communication. However, this body is a more or less ad hoc advisory body which meets infrequently and proceeds without clear and agreed terms of reference. Otherwise, various forms of cooperation between the Government and civil society, or even individual CSOs and CSO partnerships, appear to be established on a case‐by‐case basis, according to sector or departmental need. In general, interaction between the Government and CSOs is still marked by fragmented cooperation, lack of Government understanding for civil society, and a selective approach towards individual CSOs. There are few examples of formal, structured forms of cooperation between government and civil society as a sector. After considerable lobbying efforts on the part of civil society, the government has recently announced that it will institute a Government Office for Cooperation with Civil Society. Civic Initiatives together with KOCD organizations and supported by PRSP team worked on setting up this office. There was a yearlong consultation process that need in the agreement to set up an office. This office is considered to be essential to the creation of government strategy for establishing a more favorable environment for civil society. The formal Regulations have been prepared by the Government and it is expected to be adopted every day. Portion of money is secured from the State budget reserve, while most of the funding will be provided through DFID funds (at least for its establishment and first year of operations). As already mentioned, the Office will deal with regulations related to State funding, will also be involved in the IPA programming and consultations with civil society. Its mandate will be known once the Regulations are adopted. It is also expected that the Office will work on developing the National strategy for CSO development.