The 2024 Civil Society and Think Tank Forum, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, was held in Berlin from October 9-11. Organized by the Southeast Europe Association and Aspen Institute Germany, the event brought together over 115 organizations from the Western Balkans and region’s and EU officials to discuss policy recommendations and the future of the Berlin Process. Key topics included EU integration, energy transition, rule of law, gender and diversity, regional market and mobility, environmental protection, disinformation, and cyber threats.
Discussions emphasized that the Berlin Process, launched a decade ago, has become a vital platform for enhancing cooperation within the Western Balkans and with the EU. It complements EU integration efforts, with enlargement as an achievable goal. A key takeaway was the need for stakeholders to support targeted rule of law programs and projects promoting cross-border regional cooperation and closer integration between the WB6 and neighboring EU countries. Participants underscored the importance of regional collaboration in the Western Balkans, following the EU model and European standards.
During the event, CSOs urged Western Balkan governments to ensure local ownership of the Berlin Process, increase public awareness of its benefits, and end repression against civil society, activists, and the media. They called for structured monitoring and evaluation systems with local input to improve transparency and effectiveness.
Anja Bosilkova-Antovska, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), participated in a workshop on Enabling Spaces for Civil Society at the forum. The session focused on empowering CSOs to navigate shrinking civic space, discussing advocacy strategies, grassroots engagement, and how to effectively reach decision-makers. Anja contributed to the discussions, highlighting key approaches for CSOs to remain active and influential in challenging civil society environment.
At the forum, the Western Balkans Six Prime Ministers signed a Declaration of Support for the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025-2028 and an Agreement on Access to Higher Education. They also welcomed progress on CEFTA agreements, aimed at improving trade, employment, and consumer rights in the region.
At the closing of the forum, participants urged Berlin Process leaders to adopt conclusions supporting rule of law and democracy at the upcoming summit. They emphasized the importance of a strong commitment to rule of law as a prerequisite for advancing EU accession reforms. Additionally, they proposed expanding future forums to include more decision-makers, citizens, and even celebrities to foster broader dialogue on EU enlargement and the shared challenges of civil society and businesses.