Civil society organisations and think tanks from across the six Western Balkan partners gathered in Pristina from 5 to 7 October for the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026, held under the theme “Proof, Not Promises”. The Forum provided a platform for regional dialogue on EU integration, democratic resilience and economic cooperation, ahead of the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit scheduled for 22 October in Podgorica, Montenegro.
Organised by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, in partnership with the Government of Kosovo and in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro, the Forum brought together civil society representatives, policymakers and regional and international stakeholders to assess progress on regional commitments and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
The 2026 edition placed particular emphasis on translating political commitments into concrete results, strengthening accountability and ensuring that civil society perspectives contribute to decisions shaping the region’s European future.
Six priorities for the Western Balkans
Discussions were structured around six thematic working groups addressing key challenges and opportunities for the region:
- Competitiveness and growth, including deeper integration into the EU Single Market;
- Digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty;
- Security, resilience and geopolitics;
- Civic space and democratisation;
- Green and sustainable transition;
- Enlargement and the common European future.
Each working group was jointly led by civil society organisations or think tanks from different Western Balkan partners, encouraging cross-border cooperation and the development of shared regional priorities.
The discussions also addressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, supporting sustainable economic development and ensuring that the benefits of European integration reach citizens and businesses across the region.
Bringing civil society perspectives into the Berlin Process
The Civil Society Forum serves as the official civil society platform of the Berlin Process, an initiative launched in 2014 to strengthen regional cooperation and support the European integration of the Western Balkans.
This year’s Forum built on a series of consultations conducted between June and September 2026, during which participating organisations worked on policy proposals across the six priority areas.
The Forum’s recommendations are intended to contribute directly to discussions at the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit in Podgorica on 22 October, where civil society representatives are expected to present their proposals to Heads of Government.
By connecting regional expertise with political decision-making, the Forum reinforces the role of civil society in monitoring reform commitments, encouraging cooperation and supporting the Western Balkans on their path towards EU integration.
Next steps
The Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit on 22 October will provide an opportunity to review regional cooperation priorities and discuss further steps towards closer economic and political integration.
The contribution of civil society will remain an important part of this process, helping ensure that regional commitments are accompanied by measurable progress and meaningful results for citizens across the Western Balkans.
