The Open Society Foundations

Academy

What is the Academy?

For years, BFPE has been diligently working within the “Balkan Dialogues” project to enhance collaboration and build partnerships within the region. Our focus includes improving the rule of law, advocating for accountable government institutions, and promoting greater transparency. Simultaneously, we work towards assisting the region in fulfilling formal criteria for EU accession, especially concerning good neighborly relations. The Balkan Dialogue Academy represents a continuation of our support to regional leaders in learning, skill enhancement, and networking, with the goal of strengthening regional cooperation and establishing clear objectives related to common regional development. The Academy, supported by the Open Society Foundations  Western Balkans, will bring together visionaries in politics and social engagement, willing to contribute to the development of regional cooperation and the Western Balkans’ EU accession process through dedicated and long-term efforts.

Meet the Participants

In its inaugural year, the Academy will welcome 18 participants, representing three individuals from each Western Balkan society. Engaging in dynamic workshops, thematic discussions, and guided by assigned mentors, participants will collaboratively develop and implement advocacy initiatives at the regional level. Mentorship will be extended to all participants with tangible ideas, aiming to instigate positive change and contribute to a brighter future for both their societies and the broader region. In addition to organized policy retreats during the two, two-day seminars and live work with mentors, mentorship will be available continuously throughout the program via direct communication, online meetings, and the Balkan Dialogue Academy’s digital platform. Participants will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas with political thinkers from the region, further empowering and motivating them to work on their political ideas and initiatives they choose to advocate.

Meet the participants Meet the speakers

Balkan Dialogues

Balkan Dialogues are Foundation BFPE led project which seeks to increase and deepen understanding and build trust between representatives of varying geopolitical interests present in the Western Balkans region today, aby providing a platform for discussion of those areas where competing interests or strategies could collide, and determining ways to mitigate and defuse tensions arising from this reality.

Balkan Dialogues Academy

The Balkan Dialogues Academy represents a continuation of support for young leaders in the region, focusing on learning, improvement, and networking, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and establishing clearer goals related to common regional development. The Academy will bring together visionaries in politics and social engagement who are willing to contribute to the development of regional cooperation and the accession process of the Western Balkans to the European Union through dedicated and long-term work.

EU ETS

Western Balkans and EU ETS is a program aimed at facilitating the gradual integration of Western Balkan countries into the European Union in crucial areas, particularly energy supply and security. The program’s specific objective is to endorse and assist the accession of WB countries to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

Partners