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Author: WeBalkans

Carrying the YEA spirit to the Mediterranean Youth Academy

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Debora Kolgegaj, Young European Ambassador from Albania

From 13 to 17 November, I, Ada, Artina, Bogdan and Ivan had the chance to be in Nice, France, for the 4th edition of the Mediterranean Youth Academy, an opportunity that felt both inspiring and eye-opening. Being surrounded by young people from all around the Mediterranean reminded me how much diversity, passion, and potential our region holds. This year’s focus on climate action, gender equity and transformation, and youth employment made the experience even more meaningful, because these are not just abstract topics, they are challenges we all live with in our countries, our communities, and sometimes even in our personal lives.

As a Young European Ambassador, I chose gender equity & transformation as my working group while the other YEAs were divided according to their interests. Whether we were talking about how education systems should promote climate awareness, how governments can support gender equality, or how to create fairer opportunities for young workers, everyone contributed in something unique and applicable to our countries. These conversations didn’t feel forced or theoretical,  they felt real, honest, and rooted in our shared desire to shape a better future.

We were guided by experts who didn’t just lecture, but helped us think strategically. Step by step, Prof. Matthias Waechter (Director General at Centre International de Formation Européenne) taught us how to build a strong policy brief, how to turn an idea into a realistic plan, and how to design strategies that could actually be implemented. I especially appreciated the extra training on programs like Erasmus+ with the help of Mr. Yassine Zarouk and the other forms of cooperation for initiatives facilitated by Mr. Alejandro Lafarga Martinez (Programme Officer en INTERREG NEXT MED Programme Branch Office Western Mediterranean) and Ms. Elisabetta Necco (Quality Assurance and Civil Society Manager), because they showed us how many opportunities exist for young people if we know where to look and how to use them.

Being in Nice as co-partners of this year’s academy made me feel proud of what we, as YEAs, represent. We weren’t just participants, we were contributors. We had the chance to share the spirit of our communication program, express our values, and show what the YEA network stands for: connection, cooperation, and a commitment to positive change. It was a chance to demonstrate our energy, our creativity, and our belief in inclusion and European values, and I think we truly delivered on that note.

By the end of the academy, what we created felt genuinely rewarding: clear, practical, and meaningful policy briefs that addressed real problems affecting Mediterranean youth. But beyond the final documents, the experience itself changed us. We left with better skills, wider perspectives, and stronger motivation to continue our work. For me, the Mediterranean Youth Academy was more than an event, it was a reminder of how powerful young voices can be when we come together with purpose and hope.

Pathways to freedom: Young European Ambassadors in the BSC Young Leaders Programme

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Aleksandra Grbović Bitić, Young European Ambassador from Serbia

This November, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from all six Western Balkans entities came together in Belgrade for an event that transcends the scope of a typical conference. We joined the Young Leaders programme, organized by the Belgrade Center for Security Policy (BCSP), which runs in parallel with the Belgrade Security Conference (BSC) – the largest high-level foreign policy and security gathering in the Western Balkans, bringing together over 500 participants, 80+ speakers, and more than 20 panels and side events.

This year’s conference, titled “Pathways to Freedom”, paid respect to the struggles of all those searching for their paths toward liberty while resisting oppression and seeking dignity. As Mr Cvijić, President of the International Advisory Committee of the BCSP, underlined, “Across the world, young people are leading movements for justice and freedom,” a message that strongly resonated with us as Young European Ambassadors.

For us, it was not solely about hearing global experts discuss security, democracy, and Europe’s future. It was more about ensuring that young people from the region are actively involved, raising questions, challenging assumptions, and demonstrating what a European Western Balkans entails in practice. 

Young leaders in a high-level arena

The Young Leaders Programme aims to empower young people from the Western Balkans to become future decision-makers and opinion-shapers. As Young European Ambassadors, we joined students, researchers, activists, and young professionals from across the region to unpack intricate matters such as transatlantic relations, EU enlargement, and the evolving global security framework.

Workshops equipped us for the main conference sessions, enabling us to integrate the “big picture”, ranging from global crises to EU reforms, with tangible realities observed within our own local contexts. Rather than functioning as a separate youth side-event, we were integrated into the core programme, granted the opportunity to address the assembly, formulate questions, and challenge speakers regarding the implications of their decisions for our generation.

This experience demonstrated in practice what we often promote as Young European Ambassadors: meaningful youth participation. We were not there to “symbolically represent youth”, but to offer ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences from Tirana to Sarajevo, from Prishtina to Belgrade.

Four days of learning, one shared future

Over the course of four days, the Young Leaders space transitioned from resembling a programme to embodying a genuine community. We initiated the programme with entertaining icebreakers and introductions; however, those quickly turned into honest conversations about what freedom, security and “Europe” mean in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. By the time we stepped into our first sessions, we already carried each other’s stories into the room.

In the days that followed, the agenda evolved into a sort of roadmap: from women leading regional dialogue and our critical walk through the Labyrinth of the Nineties to workshops on transatlantic relations, EU enlargement and digital security. We shifted between personal experiences and pressing geopolitical questions, transitioning from museum halls to conference rooms, engaging in both attentive listening to experts and challenging them from the audience.

The concluding sessions, during which young individuals candidly discussed remaining in or departing from the region, as well as issues of trust, fear, and responsibility, appeared to be a natural culmination of all that had been revealed over the course of those four days. It was no longer solely about the knowledge gained from the programme but about how prepared we were to apply it upon returning home. 

Learning from the past, speaking for the future

A particularly impactful moment of the programme was the guided critical visit to the Labyrinth of the Nineties exhibition at the Museum of Yugoslavia, led by the esteemed historian and professor Ms Radina Vučetić. Walking together through the exhibition, we reflected on the manner in which media, propaganda, and everyday life during the 1990s continue to shape our societies and form our current perceptions of one another.

For YEAs representing all six Western Balkan entities, this event represented more than merely a museum visit. It served as a space to cultivate empathy, to listen attentively, and to recognise how diverse narratives shape our perception of history. This experience complemented panels on regional dialogue and reconciliation, where we encountered inspiring stories of women, activists, and educators who foster understanding across divisions on a daily basis. 

These moments served as a reminder that security encompasses more than borders, institutions, and alliances; it also involves memory, trust, and the courage to engage in challenging conversations.

Taking BSC home: From conference hall to community

Departing from Belgrade, we did not perceive the Young Leaders Programme was “completed”; rather, it appeared to serve as another building block. As YEAs, we will now be applying our knowledge within our own communities. In this way, the Pathways to Freedom theme persists through incremental but tangible actions – within classrooms, youth centres, and neighbourhoods across the Western Balkans.

The conference also strengthened the connections within the YEA network. During our time together, we discovered new ideas for joint cross-border initiatives, from exchanges and study visits to creative storytelling projects that show how EU values are already lived in our region. We departed as a more cohesive regional team, better integrated and more equipped to support each other’s efforts.

In a conference that honoured those who search for their own paths to liberty and dignity, the presence of YEAs sent a clear message: young people from the Western Balkans are not only learning about freedom, but we are actively contributing to shaping its future in our region in the years to come.

Bridging the gap: New research illuminates future direction of career guidance in the Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

By: Andrea Darabašić  The lack of structured career guidance is a major challenge contributing to high youth unemployment across the Western Balkans. But thanks to dedicated YEA initiatives, we now have a starting roadmap to change it. The project, “Career counseling in the Western Balkans: Accessibility, gaps, and future directions,” successfully concluded its four-month run (July–November 2025) with the delivery of comprehensive research and an advocacy event, setting the stage for improvements across the region. A voice for 1,300 young people Spearheaded by Young European Ambassador from Serbia, Andrea Darabašić, the project’s core achievement was mobilizing the voices of the region’s youth. The regional survey exceeded its ambitious goal, successfully gathering input from 1,306 young participants across Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The project delivered not one, but two key reports:
  1. An objective overview mapping existing career counseling services and identifying systemic challenges.
  2. A detailed youth perspective report analyzing what young people actually need to transition successfully into the job market.
This rigorous, dual-perspective approach was supported by 12 career professionals, including psychologists and youth workers, who ensured the research instrument was grounded in real-world expertise. Advocacy event drives action in Belgrade The findings culminated in an advocacy event held at the Europe House Belgrade on November 6th. The event brought together over 30 key participants, including high-level professionals from the HR, corporate, and education sectors. The session featured a presentation of the research and an engaging panel discussion among regional representatives, focused on leveraging cross-country collaboration and creating institutional linkages. Crucially, the event launched the final report, which contains 10 specific, actionable recommendations designed to improve career services for young people across the Western Balkans.

EU and Montenegro provisionally close another five chapters in accession negotiations

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The 24th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro provisionally closed accession negotiations on chapters 3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services), 4 (free movement of capital), 6 (company law), 11 (agriculture and rural development) and 13 (fisheries).
“The EU welcomes Montenegro’s progress in closing five additional chapters today. This means that in total twelve negotiating chapters have already been closed – a significant step forward on the country’s path towards European integration.” Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark, on behalf of the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU
The EU may, if necessary, return to these chapters at an appropriate moment. Chapter 5 on public procurement had already been provisionally closed at a previous Accession Conference on 27 June 2025. Monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the EU acquis will continue throughout the negotiations. Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters in its EU accession negotiations. With the provisional closure agreed today, a total of twelve of these chapters have now been provisionally closed. According to the negotiating principles endorsed by the Accession Conference, agreements reached in the course of negotiations on specific chapters, even partial ones, may not be considered as final until an overall agreement has been reached for all chapters.

Background

The European Union delegation was led by Ms Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark, on behalf of the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU, with the participation of Commissioner for Enlargement, Ms Marta Kos. The Montenegrin delegation was led by Mr Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro.

From police stations to secret flights, Serbian reporters follow the trail

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

Over the past few weeks, the Western Balkan countries have been celebrating investigative journalism. Professional juries across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo have gathered to evaluate some of the most compelling investigative journalism pieces.

We spoke to all first-prize winners across the region, and will publish the interviews with them in series. Through this series that we have titled “EU Celebrates Investigative Journalism in the Western Balkans” we want to celebrate these exemplary journalists and get to know more about their investigation practices, the urgency of addressing these issues in their country as well as their reflections on the position of investigative journalism in their country and in the region at large.

BIRN’s Aleksa Tešić and Saša Dragojlo shared the first prize for investigative journalism in Serbia. The jury in Serbia — comprising Aleksandra Nikšić, Milka Tadić Mijović, and Snježana Milivojević — awarded Tešić’s investigation Proven: BIA Hacks Activists’ Phones, which informs the public about how Serbia’s Security Information Agency (BIA) used Israeli Cellebrite technology to unlock activists’ phones and install domestic spyware. Dragojlo’s From Belgrade to Be’er Sheva: Israeli Military Flights and Million-Euro Weapons Shipments traced Serbia’s €23 million arms exports to Israel, uncovering deep-rooted ties in military trade and providing valuable context to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Aleksa Tešić

Aleksa Tešić has been a member of the BIRN Serbia investigative team since June 2021, focusing primarily on digital security, privacy rights, and personal data protection. He is the author of multiple investigations into public procurements and the use of surveillance and espionage technologies by state authorities. This year, he received the first-ever NUNS award and the first journalism award presented by the European Union in Serbia. In his work, he frequently relies on automated data analysis, artificial intelligence, and computer vision — in collaboration with programmers and data experts. He graduated in Journalism and Communications from the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade in 2019. Before joining BIRN, for more than a year he worked in the advertising industry. During his studies, he interned and worked part-time in television and online media and served as an assistant editor on a TV show. He was born in Čačak in 1996, where he completed primary school and high school.

 

WeBalkans: What was your process of investigation for the piece “Proven: BIA Hacks Activists’ Phones”. This investigation comes at a time of serious political turmoil in your country. How did this affect your process?

Aleksa Tesić: Back in 2023, I researched and published an analytical investigation on the digital forensics equipment owned by Serbian law enforcement — tools used to extract data from phones and computers. At that time, we didn’t know the equipment was being misused; we could only assume the possibility.

Then, last year, activists slowly began reporting that something strange was happening to their phones after being detained and taken to police stations. That was the turning point. We started contacting everyone who had been questioned by the police because of their activism or journalistic work.

It was challenging to cast a wide net and reach all those people, especially because we aimed to verify as many cases and inspect as many phones as possible. The investigation was successful because we acted quickly — we examined phones shortly after activists were released from “informational interviews,” which was crucial for preserving digital traces and evidence.

 

WeBalkans: What are your thoughts on the position of journalism at large in the region today, and especially of investigative journalism. In regions like Western Balkans, it seems like the need for independent investigative journalism is even more urgent, whereas pressure towards journalists and investigative journalism is at the same time higher and ever-more present. What are your thoughts on this?

Aleksa Tesic: The position of investigative journalism largely depends on its economic position. It is not profitable, yet it is highly valued in the region, and I believe newsrooms need to rely more on community support. Also, there are never enough investigative journalists—there is a growing need for reporters who are specialized in one (or more) specific field.

In countries where the judiciary is captured and where hybrid authoritarian regimes exist, such as Serbia, investigative journalism becomes a kind of alternative to the work of the prosecution—of course, with significantly fewer resources and no formal authority. It becomes a bastion of truth, holding an essential role in society by bringing forward previously unknown information and enabling citizens to form opinions based on verified facts.

Saša Dragojlo

Saša Dragojlo is an accomplished and award-winning journalist offering years of expertise in political corruption, global arms trade, human trafficking and labor exploitation. He is the recipient of several EU awards for investigative journalism as well as the “Dejan Anastasijević” investigative journalism award.  In 2023 he was awarded the prestigious “Dusan Bogavac” award for ethics and courage in journalism. Dragoljo has published articles in Serbian and international media, such as Balkan Investigative Research Network (BIRN),  the investigative portal KRIK, Insajder TV, Haaretz, Le Monde Diplomatique, Vice Serbia, weeklies NIN and Vreme, daily Danas, the fact-check portal Istinomer and many others.

WeBalkans: Your investigation for “From Belgrade to Be’er Sheva: Israeli Military Flights and Million-Euro Weapons Shipments”, comes at a very complex time in your country and in the world. What was it like looking at this sensitive topic at such a time for your country, what drew your interest to this angle of the governments’ relation to the Israeli army?

 

Saša Dragojlo: I am very proud of this story because, at a time when the so-called “most progressive” countries — and even many intellectuals — have remained silent, we did not.

A series of reports we published draws direct links between the supply of ammunition to the Israeli army — which, according to numerous experts and humanitarian organizations including the UN and Amnesty International, has been committing systematic war crimes in Gaza — and Serbia’s arms industry.

My experience in investigating the arms trade and understanding the political context were key to developing this story. When I saw Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement from February 2024, calling Serbia’s authoritarian president Aleksandar Vučić “a true friend of Israel… both in word and deed,” I suspected this had something to do with ammunition supplies. Serbia is known for exporting weapons to numerous conflict zones around the world, so I decided to investigate further. My sources indicated that this was indeed the most likely scenario — especially given the close U.S.–Israel ties and Washington’s strong influence over Serbian arms exports.

When the Serbian government rejected my Freedom of Information request, claiming that details of arms and ammunition exports to Israel were classified, I knew my instincts were correct. I then teamed up with a colleague from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, and together we continued to look for evidence. We discovered that all Israeli military flights to Belgrade we tracked coincided with the dates of Serbia’s ammunition shipments. It was also very weird, since Serbia did not export a lot of arms/ammo to Israel before this. The Serbian authorities ignored our findings for more than a year — until President Vučić eventually admitted to them.

Exporting ammunition amid ongoing war crimes, and in defiance of UN experts’ appeals to halt shipments to Israel, is not only immoral and in violation of Serbian law and international standards — it also makes Serbia potentially complicit in future war crimes proceedings.

I am proud that we uncovered this and maintained our professionalism even when it was unpopular among powerful elites, including those in the EU. It is easy to do your job well when it is easy — but when the darkest hour comes, that is when you show who you truly are.

 

WeBalkans: What are your thoughts on the position of journalism at large in the region today, and especially of investigative journalism. In regions like Western Balkans, it seems like the need for independent investigative journalism is even more urgent, whereas pressure towards journalists and investigative journalism is at the same time higher and ever-more present. What are your thoughts on this?

Saša Dragojlo: The Serbian authoritarian regime maintains near-total control over the country’s mainstream media landscape. Their goal is to prevent our work from reaching a wider audience, confining us, in a sense, to online “ghettos.” For more than a decade, Serbian government officials and the media outlets under their control have been running smear campaigns against us—branding us as traitors, mercenaries, or whatever suits their narrative at the moment. They have turned us into “public enemies” in the eyes of ordinary citizens, so that our investigations into crime and corruption are dismissed as lies before they are even read.

With the ongoing unrest in Serbia, the regime has grown increasingly violent. Journalists have had their homes set on fire; some colleagues have been targeted with Pegasus spyware; and physical attacks by hooligans paid by the ruling party are becoming more frequent. I was personally attacked by one such individual this March—right in front of police officers who did nothing, despite standing just a few meters away. The Serbian prosecution has yet to initiate a case. Sadly, this is just one among hundreds of similar attacks on journalists.

Despite these conditions, investigative journalism in Serbia remains among the best in Europe. But we urgently need support—both financial and physical—to survive. Serbia stands just an inch away from full-blown authoritarianism. If it happens, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Commission approves Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Reform Agenda

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The European Commission has positively approved Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Reform Agenda – a key step toward releasing up to €976.6 million under the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility.

The Commission concluded that the Reform Agenda, submitted on 30 September 2025, meets the objectives of the Growth Facility Regulation. It sets out priority reforms to accelerate the green and digital transitions, boost private-sector development, retain talent, and strengthen fundamental rights and the rule of law. It is now for Bosnia and Herzegovina to swiftly sign and ratify both the Facility Agreement and Loan Agreement. The allocation of funding to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including pre-financing, can only start once these agreements enter into force and all conditions are fulfilled.

The Western Balkans Growth Plan offers a roadmap to bring the economies of the Western Balkans closer to the European Union. The Growth Plan is €6 billion for the region in investments, and the principle is both investments and reforms. It also provides the preparatory work to join the Single Market, allowing citizens in Western Balkans to reap some early benefits of the EU integration. The release of funds will be conditional upon the successful implementation of Reform Agenda, covering both reforms in the fundamentals area and socioeconomic reforms, in close cooperation with the European Commission.

With this approval, all six Western Balkan partners now have Reform Agendas in place and can benefit from the Facility as they advance toward EU membership.

For More Information

Commission Staff Working Document – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Commission Implementing Decision

Reform and Growth Facility Regulation

Factsheet on the Growth Plan

EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina Factsheet

Digital Europe in Serbia opens the European innovation market to the country

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Digital Europe, with a total budget of €8.1 billion, is designed to support the digital transformation of European society in line with the European Union’s objectives for the period up to 2030. Serbia has been an associated member of this Programme since 2023, which means that legal and natural persons from the country can apply for funding under the same conditions as entities from EU Member States.

“Companies and institutions from Serbia have the opportunity to work on bridging the gap between research in digital technologies and their practical application, as well as to bring research results to the market for the benefit of citizens and businesses. Participation in this Programme includes access to EU-level digital infrastructures and networks, co-financing of implementation projects, capacity building and skills development, as well as integration into European value chains and standards”, representatives of the European Commission in Serbia explained to WeBalkans. They emphasise that beneficiaries of the programme in Serbia include public institutions, universities and R&D organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, industrial associations or clusters, and local and regional authorities.

The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications of the Government of Serbia, which is the main EU partner for the implementation of the programme, states that this membership represents an important step towards integration into the European digital space and enables institutions, companies and organisations to participate equally in projects with partners from the EU.

“Through this Programme, strategic projects are funded that contribute to the faster development of technological innovation and digital transformation, including the development of supercomputing or high-performance computing to address complex challenges; research into the possibilities of artificial intelligence with a focus on data exchange and the development of innovation hubs; strengthening cyber-resilience and protecting digital infrastructure; training in AI, cyber security and emerging digital technologies; as well as support for small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and public institutions in adopting digital technologies. A particular value of the Programme lies in the partnerships and consortia formed through public calls. These partnerships typically bring together many institutions and organisations from different European countries, enabling an intensive transfer of knowledge, good practices and technological innovations”, explains the Ministry.

One of the Programme’s beneficiaries is the European Hub for Digital Innovation in Serbia (Serbian European Digital Innovation Hub or S4AI HUB), which, with the support of Digital Europe, has helped numerous companies, start-ups and public-sector institutions to develop, test and implement innovative solutions and achieve digital transformation.

“Without the Programme’s support, these activities would be significantly slower and financially unattainable for many of our beneficiaries. Thanks to this support, we expect to soon test numerous solutions developed using artificial intelligence, provide training for a wide range of professionals, and achieve a measurable impact on digital transformation in Serbia. Our experts help beneficiaries assess their own capacity for digital transformation, offering free access to advanced AI infrastructure, high-performance computers and laboratories within our partnership, which allows companies to test and refine their solutions without major upfront investments. This is essentially a ‘Test Before Invest’ service, often a decisive step towards implementing artificial intelligence in their business processes”, explains Ivan Pavlović, project manager at S4AI HUB.

For the forthcoming period, they are preparing 23 different training programmes, ranging from the use of artificial intelligence in disaster-risk management and the development of RAG agents using large language models, to training on digital innovation for carbon-footprint management and ESG strategies, as well as specialised areas such as the use of AI in tourism, AI regulation, the basics of cyber security, access to finance, natural-language processing and intellectual-property protection.

“In this way, we create a link between domestic innovators and the European market, and all our activities contribute to strengthening Serbia’s digital capacities”, Pavlović adds.

Another example of support from the Digital Europe Programme in Serbia is CIPS – European Digital Innovation Hub in Belgrade, which is part of the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) that provide companies and public organisations with support in strengthening digital capacities and connecting with innovation ecosystems. As central points for digital innovation across all regions of Europe, EDIH hubs bring together technological experts to accelerate digital transformation across the continent.

In the coming period, until 2027, when the project ends, Digital Europe will support experimentation in the field of artificial intelligence, the development of cyber-security capacities, the development of advanced digital skills and interoperable digital public services in Serbia, as well as the identification and connection of potential partners and the delivery of training for future Programme beneficiaries.

YEAs at the EU Enlargement Forum 2025

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

By Teodora Danilović 

“Europe is more than a Union, it is our home” – Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

At a critical juncture for Europe, grappled with geopolitical instability, growing security concerns and democratic backsliding, the first EU Enlargement Forum, held on November 18th at the European Commission, became much more than another diplomatic meeting – it was a call for a unified, stable and resilient continent.

The forum gathered heads of state from EU Member States and Candidate Countries alike, civil society representatives, and youth activists, ensuring a multidimensional approach to the most important foreign policy instrument of the EU. Comprised of panels and keynote speeches, the forum’s focus revolved around the following themes:

1.The geopolitical imperative for enlargement – hosting Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, Kaja Kallas, High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, Andrius Kubilius, Defence Commissioner, Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, Alexandru Munteanu, Prime Minister of Moldova, and Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

2. EU Enlargement from the perspective of EU Member States – gathering diplomats from France, Denmark, Ireland, and Greece.

3. EU Enlargement from the Perspective of Citizens – alongside civil society, SMEs and media representatives, as well as Amila Alidžanović, a fellow YEA and participant of the Youth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Kos.

4. Getting to “YES!” – providing insights from DG ENEST, MEPs, state representatives and academics

During the panel discussions, speakers shared concrete examples of the transformation toward EU Membership. Representatives from the Western Balkans highlighted reforms in governance, anti-corruption initiatives, and cross-border projects that advance regional cooperation. One young delegate noted, “Enlargement isn’t just about joining the EU. It’s about aligning our societies with shared European values and proving that transformation is possible.” The forum also spotlighted how civil society and youth-led initiatives are creating change at the grassroots level, from democratic engagement projects to community-driven environmental programs.

Between formal sessions, networking sparked collaboration and exchange of ideas. Young participants connected with policymakers and mentors, discussing ways to keep European integration tangible in their communities. As the forum reiterated, enlargement is not a distant goal, but rather an ongoing process with concrete steps and measurable impact.

Throughout the whole event, a core message resonated loud and clear: the EU must now match its rhetoric with action. For those of us who care about European integration, especially in the Western Balkans, the takeaway is simple: stay alert, stay vocal and stay engaged. Because Europe’s future isn’t determined just by leaders,  it is shaped by citizens who believe in it, fight for it and build it day by day.

Curiosity as a way of life: From Serbia to Cambridge and beyond

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For Dragana Grahovac, curiosity isn’t just a trait, it’s a way of life. It’s what took her from Serbia to the world’s top universities, and what continues to guide her as she explores the intersections of science, business, and sustainability.

From Childhood Dreams to Cambridge Reality

“Even back in primary school, I dreamed of studying at Cambridge,” Dragana recalls. “Anyone who’s ever opened a physics or chemistry textbook has come across names like Rayleigh, Rutherford, Thomson, Bohr, Bragg, Dirac, or Born, all Nobel laureates from Cambridge. It sounded like a distant world back then, but I was determined to get there.”

More than a decade later, she found herself walking those same cobbled streets. “It still feels surreal, realizing that I had coffee in the same college courtyard where DNA’s double helix was announced, or that I grabbed a beer at the same pub where Nobel laureates once debated ideas that changed science. Every conversation there was inspiring. You could talk to a computer scientist, a policy expert, and a philosopher all within one dinner, and somehow all of it connected.”

Her time at Cambridge was, as she puts it, “mesmerizing in every sense.” Between labs and late-night formals, intense research projects and casual chats over coffee, she learned not just about nanotechnology, but about people, and about herself. “It’s a place that teaches you how to think differently, but also how to stay human in the process. You learn that success isn’t about being the smartest in the room, but about asking the right questions.”

When Curiosity Redefines Direction

Dragana’s path to Cambridge was never linear. “I was one of those students who wanted to understand everything,” she laughs. “I studied Chemical Engineering, then switched to Materials Science because I was fascinated by the nano-world, how the tiniest changes can transform everything. Later, I got interested in sustainability and polymer science, which led me to my current PhD at EPFL in Switzerland.”

At EPFL, she’s researching how to create sustainable elastomers and foams that could replace conventional materials in everyday products, but her curiosity goes far beyond the lab. “I’m equally fascinated by how research turns into innovation, how ideas become companies, and how leadership shapes impact. I see myself working at that intersection, connecting science, business, and sustainability to build something meaningful.”

She describes her academic path with humility: “Looking back, it sounds almost cinematic: a regular girl from Serbia ending up at Cambridge and EPFL.  Even besides strong discipline there are always some sleepless nights, internships, training programs, and a lot of uncertainty. That’s the part people don’t see, but that’s where you really grow.”

WeBalkans: The Power of Shared Perspectives

A crucial part of that growth came through WeBalkans and the Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative, which Dragana joined in 2020 as part of the first generation. “Even though our early activities were online, I was immediately drawn to the diversity of the group. You had people from every corner of the Western Balkans discussing ideas that actually mattered: environment, education, digitalization, equality, and it made me realize how connected we all are.”

As the years went by, her engagement expanded through projects and events across Europe. “It wasn’t just about representing Serbia or talking about European values, it was about seeing the world through other people’s eyes. I realized that the challenges we face in the Balkans are often the same ones people face everywhere: sustainability, education access, youth mobility, mental health. That realization made me feel part of something larger.”

After five years in the YEA network, Dragana now sees herself as part of a global community. “I may not be as active as I was at the beginning, but that’s because it’s time for new voices to take the stage. I love seeing how much the initiative has grown. For me, it was a turning point, it shaped the way I see leadership, community, and impact.”

Coming Full Circle

Today, Dragana’s vision reaches beyond her PhD research. “In the next few years, I’d love to combine my scientific background with entrepreneurship, maybe even start something that brings advanced materials and sustainability closer to real-world use. I want to stay curious, but also useful.”

And no matter how global her path becomes, Serbia remains at the heart of it. “Everything started there, from my teachers and mentors to the support systems that believed in me. I want to bring that experience back one day, whether through education, mentorship, or innovation. The idea isn’t just to leave and succeed, but to come back and create something that makes it easier for others to follow.”

When asked what advice she has for other young people from the region, she smiles:
“Don’t wait for opportunities to find you. Create them. Be curious about everything: science, art, politics, people. You never know which small spark will become your biggest step forward.”

Western Balkans Leaders’ meeting in Tirana takes stock of EU Growth Plan progress two years after its adoption

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the leaders of the six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) met in Tirana to assess progress under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and discuss priorities going forward. Two years after its adoption, the Growth Plan has delivered significant results, driving reforms that prepare partners for EU membership, and bringing tangible economic benefits to citizens and businesses alike. Partners advancing reforms under the Growth Plan The Growth Plan, backed by a €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility, supports the Western Balkan partners in pursuing ambitious reforms to advance towards EU accession. All beneficiaries have adopted their Reform Agendas, and the final outstanding Reform Agenda of Bosnia Herzegovina is expected to be approved by the Commission still this month. The implementation of the endorsed Reform Agendas is in full swing, with progress on about 85% of reform steps due in 2025. For instance, Albania advanced on fair taxation with a full review of tax exemptions and new tools to detect undeclared wealth. It also approved a digitalisation roadmap for the cadastre to computerise all ownership titles and maps by 2028 and introduced a new active labour market programme for vulnerable jobseekers with the support of civil society partners. Montenegro strengthened social services with a funded strategy guaranteeing minimum support, aligned its renewable energy certification system to EU standards, and launched long-term renovation plans for public buildings. North Macedonia advanced on informal economy reforms conducive to carry out hundreds of targeted inspections in high-risk sectors and identifying 526 unregistered workers. It also modernised its digital and cybersecurity framework by aligning to EU laws on network security and electronic identification. These achievements show that the performance-based approach is already producing results with an impact on citizens in the region. Following progress on reforms, Reform and Growth Facility funds were released in 2025, totaling €414 million. So far, €164 million have been released to Albania, €45 million to Montenegro, and €76 million to North Macedonia. Serbia’s pre-financing of €111 million was also released and two payment requests are currently being assessed by the Commission. Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina have not yet received any funds. Kosovo has yet to ratify the Facility and Loan Agreements. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Reform Agenda will be soon endorsed by the European Commission. It is important that the beneficiaries ensure full implementation of the reforms within the committed calendar. Moreover, the importance of completing the transport corridors in the region to promote regional integration and integration in the EU was recalled. For instance, Corridor VIII connecting North Macedonia with Bulgaria is of great strategic importance for the countries, the region, and the EU. In this context, the Commission welcomes the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between North Macedonia and Bulgaria on the cross-border railway tunnel. Moving towards deeper Single Market integration Tangible progress has also been made in the gradual integration of the Western Balkan partners in the EU Single Market. In October 2025, 32 banks from Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia joined the Single European Payment Area (SEPA) schemes, allowing citizens and businesses to make euro payments to the EU at the same speed, cost and convenience as domestic payments. In addition, Serbia joined the geographical scope of SEPA in May 2025. In 2025, seven European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) were established across Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, to support the digital transformation of local enterprises. As of October 2025, Serbia and North Macedonia host AI Factory Antennas, which give the region’s companies access to Europe’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence infrastructure. As of 1 November, Montenegro is part of the Common Transit Convention (CTC) and will start implementing the New Computerised Transit System, while Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue their preparations for acceding the Convention. North Macedonia has been part of the CTC since 2015 and Serbia since 2016. Furthermore, thanks to the WiFi4WB initiative, 394 municipalities in the region will benefit from WiFi hotspots, with the first ones already becoming operational by the end of this year. Moreover, following a series of voluntary agreements with telecom operators from the EU and the region, the Commission will support the Western Balkan partners’ integration in the EU’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ area by preparing bilateral agreements and by assisting partners in their alignment towards roaming-relevant acquis. Next steps Building on the positive momentum, the Western Balkans leaders agreed to intensify reform efforts and reaffirmed their political commitment to forging broad national consensus to adopt key measures rigorously and on time. They also agreed to reinforce the involvement of civil society in the implementation of the Growth Plan, and to strengthen the communication and visibility efforts to ensure citizens and businesses see the Growth Plan’s concrete benefits and understand the reforms it entails. For more information