Finances stronger than music! Serbia will not participate in Junior Eurovision 2025!

Although Eurovision fans in Serbia were eagerly awaiting news about our country’s return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025, the news has arrived that will disappoint many.

According to information obtained by our portal, RTS had been considering the possibility of returning to the competition, but unfortunately, a different decision was made. Serbia will, sadly, not participate this year either, and the reason is, once again, of a financial nature.

After our neighbors, Croatia and Montenegro, returned to Junior Eurovision, there was a glimmer of hope that Serbia would follow their lead. However, in a reply to an email sent by our portal, the Editor of the RTS Entertainment Program, Sandra Perović, confirmed this information: „Regarding the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, we will unfortunately not participate for financial reasons.“

This is not the first time Serbia has faced such a problem. A similar decision was made in 2023 when the then-editor Olivera Kovačević confirmed Serbia’s withdrawal from the Junior Eurovision in Nice. At that time, it was emphasized that the public broadcaster’s resources were being directed towards participation in the „main“ Eurovision Song Contest.

A history of ups and downs

Serbia’s participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest has had a turbulent journey. After the separation from Montenegro, Serbia first competed as an independent nation in 2006 with the group Neustrašivi učitelji stranih jezika and the song „Učimo strane jezike.“ The very next year, Nevena Božović brought Serbia its best result—a third-place finish with the song „Piši mi,“ which became a benchmark for future generations.

After participating regularly until 2010, Serbia took a three-year break before triumphantly returning in 2014 and continuing to compete every year until 2022. Although we haven’t had a win, our representatives often achieved notable results and won the hearts of audiences across Europe.

The future of Junior Eurovision in Serbia

Although this news has disappointed us, we remain hopeful that Serbia will return to this competition in the near future. Participation in Junior Eurovision is of great importance for promoting young talent and music in Serbia. Participants like Nevena Božović, Sonja Škorić, and Lena Stamenković have shown that we have the potential to compete and achieve impressive results.

We look forward to the day when the financial challenges are overcome and a way is found for Serbia to be part of this wonderful children’s story once again. It is the desire of all Eurovision fans to hear the voices of our little stars on the big stage of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest very soon.

Serbia’s best placement at Junior Eurovision