Western Balkans
For three decades, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been active in the countries of the Western Balkans, supporting them on their path towards a united Europe. Out of our project office in Belgrade, we coordinate our political and civil society education and advisory work, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Together with domestic partners from politics and civil society, we focus on the topics of human and civil rights, open society, democracy and the rule of law, as well as on promoting European values and standards as part of the EU integration process.
News
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"BAZA - Balkanska Ženska Akademija" heading into fourth year
The first session of "BAZA – Balkanska Ženska Akademija" in 2026 has come to an end – and what an intense and inspiring journey it has been so far. Thank you, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for hosting us!
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Locweb 2026: Rebuilding Liberal Politics from the Ground Up
The 2026 conference of “Locweb – The Network of Local Politicians from the Western Balkans” brought together liberal councillors committed to strengthening politics where it matters most: at the local level.
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"Did you say something?"
Student protests against the rule of Aleksandar Vučić in Serbia have been going on for over a year now. Cracks are beginning to appear in the previously flawless facade of Serbian autocracy. Social role models are abandoning the regime.
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EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans - What's going wrong?
The study critically examines the stagnation of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, arguing that the process has devolved into a ritualized façade of progress sustained by both the EU and candidate countries.
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Contested election in Republika Srpska: What Dodik's narrow victory means
The presidential election in Republika Srpska produced a marginal and contested victory for Dodik’s camp. Elections became necessary after a court barred the former President from holding public office for six years.
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"Women, Power, Politics" - The fifth season of our short doc series
The fifth season of the human interest series "Women, Power, Politics" portrays three strong women who are committed to standing up against patriarchal social conditions.
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Mostograditelji - Bridge Builders
“Mostograditelji - Bridge Builders” is a human interest series about public figures with roots in the Western Balkans. The series describes their experiences of living in European, multicultural societies and explains how this has had a positive impact on their own identity.
