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