Tirana, 1 October 2025 – Civil society representatives, policymakers, institutional actors, and donors from across the Western Balkans and the European Union gathered in Tirana for the regional conference “Resilient Voices: Western Balkans Civil Society in a Changing World,” co-organized by Partners Albania for Change and Development and the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), with the support of the European Union and Sida.
The conference delivered one clear message:
Without independent civil society, there is no democracy, no credible enlargement, and no European future for the Western Balkans.
Bringing together more than 150 participants, the conference provided a high-level platform for regional dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of civic space, democratic governance, and EU integration. Discussions across three thematic panels highlighted the sector’s resilience and its essential role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in public life.
The first panel focused on civic space and the legal environment, pointing to increasing restrictions through legislation, stigmatization, and disinformation campaigns. Participants called for stronger guarantees for freedom of association and expression, and welcomed the forthcoming EU Civil Society Strategy as a key opportunity to embed civic space protection into the European agenda.
The second panel explored civil society’s role in the EU integration process, emphasizing that participation must go beyond consultation and become genuine co-creation of reforms. Speakers shared experiences from across the region on mechanisms that enable structured dialogue, transparency, and early engagement of civil society in policy processes.
The third panel addressed funding futures and sustainability, underlining the need to move away from short-term project funding toward flexible, longer-term institutional support. Discussions also reflected on national public funding systems, the role of philanthropy, and innovative approaches such as community-based giving and social reuse of confiscated assets to strengthen the sector’s financial resilience.
The event concluded with the formal adoption of the Regional Declaration “Resilient Voices: Western Balkans Civil Society in a Changing World.” The document brings together the key outcomes of the conference and outlines three priorities for action:
- Protecting civic space from restrictive laws and smear campaigns;
- Securing meaningful involvement of civil society as a partner and watchdog in the EU integration process;
- Ensuring financial sustainability through flexible, long-term core support.
The Declaration urges governments, donors, and EU institutions to make the protection of civic space a core condition for EU enlargement, ensuring that future funding supports countries that uphold democracy and fundamental freedoms.
With its adoption, the partners and participating organizations commit to continue working together to advance these priorities at national, regional, and European levels, building stronger alliances, reinforcing accountability, and safeguarding the role of civil society as a cornerstone of democracy in the Western Balkans.
Access the Declaration and Proceedings, and view the complete Photo Album capturing highlights from the conference here.
