We are pleased to announce that on 1 October 2025, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), together with Partners Albania for Change and Development, will host the regional conference “Resilient Voices: Civil Society in a Changing Western Balkans” in Tirana, Albania.
At a time when civic space across the Western Balkans is facing increasing pressure – from legal uncertainty and donor transitions to political pushback – this conference will convene key actors from civil society, EU institutions, governments, and donors to explore both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.
🧭 What to expect:
The conference will feature high-level panel discussions focused on:
- The legal and political environment for civil society in the region and in the EU (exploring trends and challenges in the Western Balkans and the EU, focusing on strategies to defend civic space amid growing restrictions);
- The role of civil society in the EU accession process, including structured dialogue, monitoring, and policy co-design (discussing the vital role of civil society in the EU integration process, sharing lessons from regional practices and cooperation mechanisms);
- The future of civil society funding, with a focus on donor transitions, financial resilience, and national support models (addressing the changing funding environment and how organizations can build financial resilience and long-term sustainability).
Speakers will include representatives from relevant EU and national institutions, donors, and leading CSOs from the Western Balkans and Europe. The agenda includes interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and regional reflections on civic space resilience and democratic participation.
Please note that participation is by invitation only. A detailed agenda and speaker list will be shared soon. The conference is financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the European Union.
Stay tuned for updates from the event and follow us on BCSDN’s website and social media for insights, photos, and key takeaways.