WBT CSOs Call for the Continuation and Expansion of EESC’s Initiative that Formally Involves CSOs from EU Candidate Countries

The Enlargement Candidate Members’ Initiative (ECMI) is a pilot project launched by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in February 2024 to involve civil society representatives from the nine EU candidate countries in EESC’s advisory and policy-making processes. The initiative was introduced as a priority of EESC President Oliver Röpke, aiming to enhance the democratic process within the EU enlargement framework. Participants in ECMI include representatives from CSOs, employers, trade unions, and other stakeholders from candidate countries. Its aim is to integrate these diverse voices into EU decision-making, providing insights on enlargement, pan-European issues, and supporting socio-economic development in the candidate countries.

This initiative represents a significant step toward fostering deeper engagement and integration between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries and Turkey that have a clear perspective toward EU accession, even before achieving formal EU membership.

Ahead of the EESC Enlargement High-Level Forum “Towards Successful EU Enlargement” on 24 October, CSOs across Western Balkans and Turkey express strong support for continued implementation of the ECMI and advocate for Kosovo’s inclusion in future phases, ensuring the initiative’s successful continuation as it undergoes an evaluation by the end of the year.

Read the statement below or download it HERE.

Endorse the statement HERE.

Deadline for endorsement: 28 October (Monday).

WBT CSOs Call for Continuing and Expanding of ECMI to Demonstrate EU’s True Commitment to Accession and Civil Society Participation

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our strong support for the continued implementation of the Enlargement Candidate Members Initiative (ECMI), which was successfully piloted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) this year. This initiative represents a significant step toward fostering deeper engagement and integration between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries and Turkey that have a clear perspective toward EU accession, even before achieving formal EU membership.

We believe that with the ECMI, the EESC has established a pioneering model that encourages candidate countries to participate in EU mechanisms, showcasing in practice the potential for the gradual integration of these countries into the EU system. Moreover, the ECMI sets an important precedent that should serve as replicable model for other EU institutions, further reinforcing the EU’s commitment to enlargement and a genuine involvement of the Western Balkans and Turkey prior to formal membership.

The ECMI has enabled meaningful involvement of civil society from candidate countries by allowing them to contribute to EESC opinions, particularly on issues such as social and economic cohesion. This initiative has not only demonstrated the EU institution’s commitment to formally including the voices of civil society from these countries, but has also empowered civil society, with its diverse expertise and experiences, to actively participate in shaping European policies. This has been identified as critical for enhancing democracy, social dialogue, and the EU integration process. Leaders such as European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová have highlighted how this initiative benefits not only the candidate countries but also the EU, aligning it with the EU’s strategic interests.

As a network of CSOs deeply committed to the promotion of European values, democracy, and social cohesion in the region, we believe that the continuation of this initiative is essential for ensuring a more inclusive and participatory process of European integration for our region. To reflect the EU’s broader commitment to the region as a whole, we also reiterate the importance of including Kosovo in the next phases of the ECMI. No country should be left behind due to technicalities of status, particularly when there is clear progress in reform and alignment with EU norms and values. An inclusive approach, encompassing all countries on the EU accession path, will strengthen regional cooperation and contribute to the shared vision of European integration.

We are confident that the continued implementation of the ECMI, with the inclusion of Kosovo, will contribute to stronger collaboration and a shared European future for the entire region. We remain committed to supporting this initiative and stand ready for further dialogue and cooperation.

Endorsing organizations:

1. Balkan Civil Society Development Network

• Partners Albania for Change and Development, Albania
• Center for Civil Society Promotion, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovar Civil Society Foundation, Kosovo
• Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, Montenegro
• Macedonian Center for International Cooperation, North Macedonia
• Civic Initiatives, Serbia
• Third Sector Foundation – TUSEV, Turkey

2. European Movement in Albania
3. Institute for research and policy analysis – Romalitico Skopje, North Macedonia
4. KAGIDER Women Entrepreneurs Association of Türkiye
5. Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV), Albania
6. The BH Journalists Association, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. Analytica think tank Skopje, North Macedonia
8. CiviKos Platform, Kosovo
9. Media Center, Montenegro
10. Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO), Montenegro
11. Rural Coalition, North Macedonia
12. European Policy Institute, Skopje, North Macedonia
13. Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
14. Catalyst Balkans, Serbia
15. Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
16. Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN), Bosnia and Herzegovina
17. Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans
18. Regional Action Lab (Re-ACT Lab), Kosovo
19. National University of Political Studies and Public Administration
20. Save the Children, Kosovo
21. Civil Rights Defenders Western Balkans
22. European Movement in Montenegro
23. Roma Active Albania
24. Albanian FORUM of Shkodra Lake
25. Women in INTEGRATION
26. Tirana Ekpres, Albania
27. Trag foundation, Serbia
28. Partners for Democratic Change Serbia
29. Handikos Hani Elezit, Kosovo
30. independent educational organization
31. Green Energy Kosova
32. Heimerer College
33. Women’s Business Association SHE-ERA
34. NGO Yellow
35. Activism Roots
36. OJQ – YOUTH COUNCIL OF RAHOVEC
37. OBOTI NGO
38. Center for Social Group Development (CSGD), Kosovo
39. Shoqata sportive lulekuqet e Kosoves (SHSLK)
40. “PESHA”
41. Women association for fighting BC in Kosovo RENESANSA
42. NGO,,Vision 02″
43. Iniciativa e Femrës Kosovare IFK
44. Mute Fondation
45. Association of Intelectuals
46. Rilindja Gjelbër- Green Renaissance
47. Mitrovica Women Association for Human Rights
48. KIPRED
49. OJQ Gjeomjedisi & NGO geo-environment
50. Expoart.40
51. Shoqata e gruas “Jeta në Kastrot”
52. Network of Peace Movement
53. Fearless Minds Kosovo
54. NGO “Perspektiva Energjetike”
55. Sundimi Demokracise ne Kosove
56. Kbi-Rahovec
57. International airport prishtina
58. Koral
59. Defy them, Kosovo
60. Anibar
61. Radio Vala Rinore
62. KLSP
63. EcoKosWomen EKW
64. Qendra Kosovare për Zhvillim të Qëndrueshëm
65. CBDC
66. The Union of Ecologists, Natyra, North Macedonia
67. STEMA
68. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Prishtina Office
69. Centre for Research and Gender Policy
70. Komiteti i Grave te Verbera te Kosoves
71. Balkans Policy Research Group
72. “We Remember Tony Blair” Foundation
73. Institut Alternativa, Podgorica, Montenegro
74. Qendra Rinore Obiliq
75. YMCA Movement
76. BSPK-Kosovo
77. Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania – KSSH
78. Institute for Development Policy – INDEP
79. Network of Peace Movement
80. Shoqata e gruas “Jeta në Kastrot”
81. Save the Children
82. Regional Action Lab (Re-ACT Lab)
83. Qendra Rinore Obiliq
84. Instituti GALAXY
85. Kosovo CSR Network
86. Atele Galeri RINIA
87. Forumi Ekonomik Rajonal DUkagjini
88. SHITP – PRIZREN
89. Fondacioni Shtatëmbëdhjetë
90. Human Rights Radio Network
91. Local Development Association(Yerelden Kalkınma Derneği)
92. Qendra per Barazi dhe Drejtesi/Center for Equality and Justice
93. Shoqata Multietnike e Grupeve te Grave te Regjionit te Mitrovices
94. Mundesia
95. UG Zasto ne
96. Institut za teritorijalni ekonomski razvoj – InTER
97. Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture – ACDC
98. New Social Initiative
99. Women’s Association Aureola
100. Advocacy Training and Resource Center – ATRC
101. Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), Kosovo
102. Association of Independent Intellectuals
103. Initiative for social development “Flick”, Montenegro
104. Kosovar Social Enterprise Foundation