Catalyst Balkans and BCSDN present the third edition of the Mapping of Donors Active in the Western Balkans. The research unlocks a wealth of information for all domestic and foreign stakeholders involved in funding civil society in six Western Balkans countries. The main research objective was to map and analyze the current donor landscape to civil society in the Western Balkans, focusing on the work of bilateral, multi-lateral, private foundation, and corporate donors. This research examines both the regionalization of donor support by some donors and the trend towards greater use of regranting through domestic grantmaking organizations.
This report provides insights into how the Western Balkans’ donor landscape is evolving due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical dynamics. It reveals that while these global events have influenced donor priorities, donors express their intent to continue their activities in the region beyond 2023, with a growing inclination toward regional cooperation for enhanced synergy.
Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like Gender Equality and Decent Work are at the forefront of donor attention. However, the report highlights areas that demand improvement. There is a consensus among donors that coordination needs enhancement, and there is untapped potential in digital transformation support for civil society organizations. CSOs themselves face challenges like unstable funding and limited government recognition.
In summary, the report emphasizes the shifting dynamics in donor activities in the Western Balkans. While donors plan to sustain or increase their involvement, there is a call for better coordination, digitalization, and addressing CSOs’ challenges to maximize donor impact and foster regional development.
The research is provided with the support of Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans (OSF-WB), Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), and the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE).
The report is available HERE.