The synergy between state institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has never been more vital to the EU-aspirations of the former Yugoslav republics. While these countries have repeatedly affirmed their desire to join the EU, European Commission (‘the Commission’) President Jean-Claude Juncker’s speech to the European Parliament (‘the Parliament’) suggested that the EU would focus on ‘deepening’ rather than ‘widening’. Moreover, the Commission’s 2014 enlargement strategy gave little indication that another enlargement period was imminent. The candidates and potential candidates of Southeast Europe (SEE) also face internal obstacles. Thus far deficient institutional practices, political resistance, and lagging public support have challenged the abilities of these countries to make the substantive reforms necessary to address the EU’s acquis communautaire. It is here where the benefits, and indeed, the need for deeper NGO consultation is most apparent.
NGOs often possess the issue-specific knowledge and grass roots connection lacking in formal state structures. Moreover, their position as mediators between local, state, and supranational forces allow them to serve as a legitimizing body, offering alternative solutions and local perspectives to wider policy-making processes (O’Brennan, 2013). They are thus crucial to EU and domestic efforts to legitimize the policy reforms necessary for EU membership. Yet, the influence of NGOs from SEE is constrained by internal disorganization, sustainability concerns, human and financial resource shortages, public distrust, and weak intra and cross sectoral networking. Restrictive funding requirements and international questions of legitimacy also present obstacles for regional NGOs. Using Croatia and Serbia as case studies this paper investigates how these internal and external obstacles have stunted the growth of NGOs in SEE, prevented institutionalized relationships from developing between NGOs and the state, and limited NGO participation in the accession processes of Croatia and Serbia. It investigates whether international and domestic conditions are currently conducive to deeper NGO participation, and whether the EU’s efforts to promote ‘good governance’ has had the intended effect.
