Preparatory Forum 9-11 July 2024, Skopje

Preparatory Forum

CSF Preparatory Forum 9-11 July 2024, Skopje

Within seven thematic working groups, civil society representatives discussed urgent topics facing the region. They formulated recommendations for key Western Balkans stakeholders covering a range of topics: EU Integration & the Berlin Process; Dealing with the Past & Reconciliation; Gender & Diversity; Common Regional Market & Mobility; Energy, Climate Change, & Decarbonization; Environmental Protection & Sustainable Economic Development; and Disinformation & Cyber Threats.

Inside and outside of the working group discussions, the Prep Forum brought visibility to civil society perspectives and fostered closer ties between organizations within the region and beyond.

Highlights included a workshop session on combatting shrinking spaces for civil society, a networking reception at the German Embassy in Skopje, input on the German Federal Foreign Office’s expectations for the Berlin Process 2024 by Kamila Wensierska-Łajca, Desk Officer for the Berlin Process, and commentary by Valeska Esch, Senior Advisor to Manuel Sarrazin, the Federal Government Special Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans, on civil society's initial recommendations.

Following the Preparatory Forum, civil society rapporteurs will formulate recommendations for decision-makers, drawing on discussions held at the CSF Prep Forum to address the region’s most pressing challenges through specific policy ideas.

The Southeast Europe Association and the Aspen Institute Germany, as organizers of the CSF 2024, would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the German Federal Foreign Office for its generous support, without which the CSF 2024 would not be possible, as well as the German Embassy in Skopje for their engagement and support over the past several weeks.