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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Snap Elections in Serbia: Vučić’s Flight Forward
For two years, students in Serbia have been protesting against the autocratic regime of Aleksandar Vučić. He now intends to shift his political future from the presidency to the office of prime minister.
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Belgrade Pride with big support from German liberals
The 25th Belgrade Pride came to a close on Saturday with the Pride March. Several thousand people – members of the LGBTIQ community as well as engaged citizens – marched in support of an open society and civil rights.
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Aleksandar Vučić's resignation is merely a charade
Aleksandar Vučić announced that he will be resigning as President of Serbia. Anyone who thinks he is thereby bowing to pressure from the streets simply does not know Aleksandar Vučić very well.
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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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"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.
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Culture war in its final stages
Since the collapse of a railway station canopy in November 2024, which left 16 people dead, large sections of Serbian society have been demonstrating for a different Serbia.
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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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Connecting Local Politicians across the Western Balkans
For nearly two decades, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation has worked with liberal local councillors across the Western Balkans. "Locweb" took this collaboration to a new level.
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Transphobia and Homophobia in Serbia | 2024
Due to the lack of institutional support and data collection, this report remains the only consistent annual source of information on unlawful acts committed against queer individuals in Serbia. It highlights ongoing gaps in legal protection, public policy, and systematic monitoring.
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Dodik’s Fall: The End of an Era?
Milorad Dodik, the long-standing leader of Republika Srpska, rose to power with international backing in 1998 but has since turned away from the West, aligning himself with Russia and other illiberal regimes.
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📢 Call for Applications: Engineer for Democracy Challenge
Are you passionate about democracy, transparency, and the power of artificial intelligence to improve civic life?
Join the Engineer for Democracy Challenge by 31 August!
