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 to a united Europe. Out of its project office in Belgrade, the foundation coordinates its political and civil society work and consulting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia. Together with domestic partners from politics and civil society, the foundation works specifically on the topics of human and civil rights, digital and open society, democracy and the rule of law, as well as on embracing European values and standards in the framework of the EU integration process.
News
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Belgrade Pride: No news is good news
Belgrade Pride 2024 went off without any major incidents. The fact that this is worth mentioning shows the environment in which Serbia's queer community continues to live and operate. It was largely ignored in the public discourse.
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Videos: "Women, Power, Politics" - The Docu Series
The series of human-interest stories portrays strong women who positively defy patriarchal social conditions. Our short documentaries introduce female change-makers and their commitment to political and social issues, who at the same time inspire fellow women to thrive and be successful even in adverse environments.
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Empowering Women to Shape Tomorrow
Recently, the second class of “BAZA - Balkanska Ženska Akademija” successfully completed this year's academy. The holistic female empowerment program of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, implemented in cooperation with ALDE Party, ended with inspiring speeches by the thirteen graduates, who from now on will not only stand up for their personal rights, but for the rights of every woman in the Western Balkans.
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Belgrade Pride Meets Pristina Pride
As part of the cooperation between the LGBTI+ umbrella organizations "Belgrade Pride" and "Pristina Pride", a delegation of Serbian activists visited the parade in the Kosovar capital Pristina. The delegation included activists from different backgrounds, identities and organizations, all of whom are committed to LGBTI+ rights and regional cooperation.
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The pro-European majority successfully counters the attack from the right
The 2024 European elections were characterised by a high voter turnout and intense political debates. Despite the rise of extreme right-wing and left-wing parties, the political centre was able to maintain its position. This ensures the continuation of European integration, the protection of democratic values and increased defence cooperation. A clear signal to the world: the EU remains a stable and unified force.
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Uncovering the relevance & importance of media
The study "Media Audit 2023: Relevance and Importance of the Media in Serbia" (in German), which was conducted by the Serbian media monitoring organization CRTA and co-supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, sheds light on the media landscape in Serbia, the media consumption of its population and the trust of Serbian society in the media.
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FNF and German-Kosovar Business Association: Stand up for women's rights
In cooperation with the German-Kosovar Business Association, FNF Western Balkans recently published an analysis entitled "Challenges of Accessing the Labor Market - Middle-Aged Women in Kosovo". Addressing these challenges requires, among other things, a comprehensive approach that includes policy measures, a societal shift in attitudes towards gender roles, and the provision of support services for working parents.
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LGBTIQ-Meet-Up against Hate Speech & Hate Crimes
From 19-21 April, activists and representatives of various human rights organizations, NGOs and think tanks from the Western Balkans came together in Ečka, Serbia to discuss the omnipresent topic of hate crime and hate speech.
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Ageism in the Kosovar labour market
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in cooperation with the German-Kosovar Business Association (OEGJK-KDWV), for the first time in the history of Kosovo prepared a study on “Challenges of Accessing the Labour Market. Middle-aged women in Kosovo”, which is available for free.
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King Kong vs. Godzilla – the Croatian way
The political wrestling match in Croatia has begun: President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković are facing off in a power struggle. With unconventional manoeuvres and sharp attacks on established politics, they are setting the course for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Who will emerge victorious from this epic duel? And what consequences will this have for Croatia and the EU?
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EU membership negotiations: Europe is ours!
On 21 March, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The decision came after Bosnian and Herzegovinian authorities met the relevant requirements set forth by the European Commission, paving the way for a new dimension in relations between BiH and the European Union (EU).
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Showdown in Zagreb
On March 15, President Zoran Milanović shocked the Croatian public twice: firstly, when he postponed the parliamentary elections to April 17, a Wednesday. Just hours later, the president lashed out against the corruption practices of the permanently ruling HDZ and announced - still as a president - his candidacy as prime minister in a "government of national salvation".
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Videos: "Mostograditelji" - The Human Interest Series
Mostograditelji (“Bridge Builders”) is a series of human-interest stories portraying public figures with a Western Balkan background who have been living in the European Union for some time. The series conveys their experiences of living in European, multicultural societies and explains how this has had a positive impact on the protagonists’ identity.
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Balkanska Ženska Akademija 2024
Are you a woman seeking to break the gender barriers of politics in the Western Balkans? Are you ready to create change in your community or your country? The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom invites applications for "BAZA – Balkanska Ženska Akademija 2024". This pioneering three-month empowerment program aims to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to assert their political ambitions and facilitate gender equality in our societies.
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Empowering Istrian women to empower themselves
The Women’s Club of the liberal party „Istrian Democratic Assembly“ (IDS), established as official body of the party in 2013, organized a workshop to consider how the members can actively work to improve the situation for Istrian women. It was only fitting that the meeting was held during the start of the Carnival season, when symbolically everybody puts his or her old behavioural patterns and roles behind, striving to reach new goals and to set new frontiers. So did the Women’s Club.
