Brussels – On May 13–14, the 10th edition of the Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, sponsored by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), will be held in Budva, Montenegro. The event represents one of the main meetings dedicated to structured dialogue between civil society organisations from Balkan countries and EU institutions. At a crucial time for the future of the Union’s enlargement, the forum will focus on the theme “Accelerating socio-economic convergence with the EU for a better life,” reflecting the urgency of strengthening political, economic, and social ties between the region and the Union.
The forum aims to serve as a multilevel platform to discuss the role of civil society in the EU accession process, the participation of social partners, and the concrete implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The work will be organised around three priorities: accelerating the accession process of the countries in the region, the contribution of civil society to the realisation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and ways to promote greater cohesion and convergence on social rights and economic well-being.
The host country, Montenegro, is considered among the most advanced candidates in the accession negotiations, and the forum will also provide an opportunity to highlight its progress and encourage other partners in the region to follow similar paths. The choice of Budva as the venue is not accidental: it symbolically highlights Montenegro’s centrality as a bridge between Brussels and the Balkans, and underscores the EESC’s commitment to the direct involvement of local communities in European decision-making processes.
In recent years, cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans has experienced ups and downs, between advances in negotiations and political stalemates. The forum aims to revive this relationship through the voice of civil society, which is recognised as a key actor in supporting democratic reforms, respect for the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the promotion of environmental sustainability. To this end, participants—about 150 representatives of civic organisations, EESC members, delegates from European institutions, and regional government officials—will also discuss concrete strategies to strengthen the capacity of local civil societies to influence public processes.
The initiative is part of the preparatory activities for the EU Enlargement Package planned for the end of the year and may help define operational recommendations, intended for the European Commission and the governments of the candidate countries. In this way, the Budva Forum will not only be a moment of reflection but also a key piece in building a shared strategy for greater socio-economic integration and convergence in the Balkan region. It will be possible to participate in the event remotely on the EESC website.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
