BRUSSELS / SKOPJE, May 13, 2026 – The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), a key partner of the European Civic Forum (ECF), is participating today in the official launch of the annual Civic Space Report at the European Parliament in Brussels. The specific chapter dedicated to the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) reveals a troubling trend of civic space deterioration over the past year.
The Western Balkans may formally guarantee civic freedoms, but the reality is becoming increasingly hostile for those who speak out critically. Civil society organizations are facing growing pressure, stigma, and insecurity. This is a clear warning sign that civic space must become a core part of the EU accession process, not a secondary issue. According to Civicus Monitor, the Civic space is rated “Narrowed” in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia; “Obstructed” in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and “Repressed” in Serbia.
Key Regional Findings:
- Threatened Financial Sustainability: The abrupt suspension of USAID international assistance disrupted key programs, forcing organizations to scale down activities. Public funding remains scarce, opaque, and often politically controlled. “In Kosovo, disruptions in funding transparency limited oversight, while in Montenegro and North Macedonia, funding remains fragmented and inconsistent. These dynamics exposed a heavy reliance on international donors, further used to fuel “foreign agent” narratives and discredit independent actors.
- Targeted Attacks: Independent civil society organizations and media faced Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), selective inspections, surveillance, police raids and restrictions and intimidation linked to protests and public assemblies In Serbia, warrantless raids were documented at the premises of prominent organizations under the pretext of financial audits, while in North Macedonia journalists faced intimidation and physical attacks, and in Albania journalists faced public pressure and targeted attacks. Often met with little accountability or follow-up, these actions create a chilling effect on critical voices.
- Legal Uncertainty: Although constitutional frameworks guarantee freedom of association, restrictive laws are being introduced in practice. In Albania, concerns persist around new registration requirements and delays in developing a new roadmap for civil society. A notable example is the “foreign agent” law in the Republika Srpska entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, despite suspension, increased pressure and uncertainty for CSOs.
- Procedural Consultations: Participation in decision-making is becoming increasingly procedural, with civil society councils and strategies in place but often weakly implemented, and consultations reduced to formalities with limited impact on policy outcomes. In Kosovo and Montenegro, delays, weak consultation practices, and limited follow-up have further constrained meaningful engagement.
- Shrinking Safe Space: Civic space is increasingly marked by fear, self-censorship, harassment, and the absence of effective protection for activists, journalists, and civil society actors. Gender-based violence and targeted online harassment, particularly against women, further contribute to an unsafe and hostile environment.
This overview of the situation in the Western Balkans is a clear signal that democratic values are under direct threat. Instead of a partnership between the CSOs and the governments, we are seeing increased control and stigmatization of those working on democracy, anti-corruption, environmental protection, and human rights. The report recommends stronger protection of fundamental freedoms, meaningful participation by civil society in decision-making, and more sustainable support for independent civil society organizations across the region.
“Western Balkan countries may formally guarantee civic freedoms, but the reality is becoming increasingly hostile for social actors who maintain a critical tone. Civil society organizations are facing growing pressure, stigma, and insecurity. This is a clear warning sign that civic space must become a core part of the EU accession process, rather than a secondary issue,” state the authors Marija Vishinova Shemova and Simona Mladenovska.
BCSDN is preparing a more detailed analysis through the upcoming Monitoring Matrix Report, which will provide an in-depth look at the enabling environment for civil society in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, covering key areas such as legal frameworks, funding, fundamental freedoms, and participation in decision-making.
BCSDN remains committed to advocating for a safe and enabling space for civic action, calling on national governments and the European Union to ensure concrete protection for CSOs and activists, and to ensure the consistent implementation of rule-of-law reforms.