Policy Briefs-EN

The author of this Policy Brief claims that the EU pre-accession process in the Western Balkans needs stronger political support for democratisation by the European Union (EU) and its member states. Only progress on the democratisation path can lead to a successful and sustainable transformation of the EU candidate countries. Once EU accession negotiations are opened, the EU should keep its monitoring and involvement at a high level, since as long as the accession perspective is not underlined with a realistic accession date, the processes are becoming a bureaucratic window dressing exercise.

When Kosovo was preparing to declare its independence in 2008, it was facing a unique challenge and opportunity: pursuing internal reforms for national state building while simultaneously putting itself on a path of Europeanisation. The internal reforms aimed at transforming the country into a future EU member state. Despite significant progress in democratic indicators, Kosovo still has a long way to go before realising its full potential for inclusive policy and decision-making, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Against this background, they analyse standards for public participation as a formal opportunity for engagement in decision-making and civil society as an effective tool for channelling citizens’ needs and voices.

Active citizens and a vibrant civil society are fundamental elements of a functioning democracy, especially in times of crisis. In order to boost democratisation from below, the European Union needs to promote and support citizen participation in its member states and in the candidate countries.

Education plays a crucial role in promoting democratic values, human rights, tolerance, and respect for diversity. This is why the European Union launched the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme in 2021 to support and develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal, and inclusive societies based on the rule of law. To understand how ideologies can damage society, young people need to know about history, especially about periods marked by extremism and violence, argues the author of this Policy Brief. He explores the contentious issue of the “Za dom spremni” greeting in Croatia, examining its historical significance, legal framework, and diverse perspectives. The Policy Brief sheds light on the complexities of balancing free expression and democratic values in confronting the country’s past.

The long-term unfavourable Eurobarometer trends toward the admission of new EU members for now seem to have been reversed, with EU citizens generally in favour today being greater than those against. In the same fashion as the 2004 enlargement was framed through the identity argument for the purpose of reuniting Europe after the end of the Cold War, the war in Ukraine has changed the public’s perspective towards the Balkan and Eastern Neighbourhood countries. Keeping public opinion in mind is of utmost importance, since mass attitudes, through their influence on political behaviour, do play a crucial role in influencing EU enlargement policy. Against this background, the authors of this Policy Brief analyse attitudes and opinion trends towards enlargement, discuss how they are linked to Euroscepticism and overall trust in EU integration, and offer policy recommendations.

On the one hand, there is a gap between the six countries of the Western Balkans and their partners in the European Union, and on the other hand, the speed of their convergence towards the EU defines the pace of enlargement progress. All Western Balkan countries are engaged in reforms that are transforming their institutions, developing their economies, and improving the quality of life of their citizens. The EU, through its enlargement mechanism, is supporting them. But on their way to membership, their economies must grow quickly to catch up with their EU peers, and local infrastructure must be upgraded and extended. Domestic institutions should complete the reforms and also deliver on the rule of law, justice reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as security and fundamental rights. The author of this Policy Brief creates a methodological framework that links the local infrastructure, domestic institutions, and people, allowing us to understand the dynamics and complexity of sustainable and resilient development paths as well as identify entry points for the Western Balkans and EU policy-makers.

In the short period of two years, from 4 April 2021 to 2 April 2023, Bulgaria’s citizens were sent to the polls to vote in six elections: five snap general elections and one presidential election. Citizens are overwhelmed and exhausted. The exceptional has become the most constant: crisis, argues the author of this Policy Brief. The Policy Brief analyses the symbolic battles between elites and citizens for framing and dominating political crises and offers policy recommendations.

When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.

Democratic governments are expected to engage with civil society organisations and give them the “space” they need to fulfil their roles in society. Due to their importance in supporting democratic transition, especially in EU candidate countries, the EU is providing them with Pre-accession funding. The authors of this Policy Brief focus on the role of civil society organisations in the two post-socialist countries of Hungary and Serbia by analysing the data provided by the Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index and offer policy recommendations.