Navigating Crises: EU Support to Civil Society Development in the Western Balkans Amid a Shifting Geopolitical Context

The period from 2020 to 2024 has presented unprecedented challenges for the European Union’s support to civil society development in the Western Balkans. The COVID-19 pandemic, the geopolitical shifts resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising authoritarian tendencies in the region have tested the effectiveness and adaptability of EU strategies and policies. Against this backdrop, civil society has remained a critical actor in promoting democratic values, social cohesion, and accountability but has faced mounting pressures, including shrinking civic space, limited financial sustainability, and increasing polarization. This paper critically examines the effectiveness of EU support to civil society in the Western Balkans by focusing on the dimension of CSO engagement in policymaking, particularly their participation in public consultations and structured mechanisms such as consultative bodies and working groups. Using Montenegro and Albania as case studies, it explores how EU support has influenced civil society participation in these processes as key indicators of progress. Montenegro, having started accession negotiations in 2012, provides insights into long-term engagement, while Albania, which began negotiations in 2022, offers a perspective on early-stage challenges under the updated enlargement methodology. The methodological approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods. Data on public consultations and participation in consultative bodies and working groups, including participation rates and the quality of contributions, is analysed alongside EU Progress Reports and other key documents. Semi-structured interviews with local civil society actors, policymakers, and EU representatives further provide contextual insights into the dynamics of civil society participation in both countries. This triangulated approach highlights successes, challenges, and gaps in fostering meaningful CSO engagement in policymaking and structured consultation processes. The paper identifies key trends and challenges, including the trade-offs between stability-oriented approaches and support for transformative civic initiatives. It argues that while EU interventions have achieved notable successes, such as strengthening grassroots networks and fostering regional collaboration, they have often struggled to address deeper structural issues, such as political clientelism and restricted civic space. By focusing on the intersection of crisis management, geopolitical shifts, and civil society development, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the EU’s capacity to promote democratic transformation and stability in its immediate neighbourhood.