Partners Albania for Change and Development served as Lead of the Thematic Working Group on Civic Space and Democratization, one of six thematic groups contributing to the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026 (CSF 2026). The Forum is an integral part of the Berlin Process, an initiative that brings together Western Balkan countries and European partners to advance regional cooperation and support EU integration. It enables civil society organisations and think tanks to develop policy recommendations for consideration in ministerial discussions and at the Leaders’ Summit. In this role, Partners Albania in partnership with Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina serving as co-lead, coordinated regional consultations, the drafting and validation of evidence-based recommendations, and their presentation to policymakers, focusing on the protection of civic space and democratic standards within the EU enlargement process.

Developing recommendations through regional consultations

During June – July 2026, three regional consultation meetings were held, involving 50 participants, including think tank, experts, and civil society representatives. Their insights informed the assessment of challenges affecting civic space and democracy and provided the basis for drafting the recommendations.

Discussions addressed democratic backsliding, restrictions on civic participation, electoral integrity, disinformation and media freedom. Participants also examined access to predictable EU funding, civil society’s involvement in accession monitoring and policymaking, and the inclusion of the Western Balkans in the European Democracy Shield.

On 9 July 2026, Partners Albania participated in the Forum’s preparatory meeting in Podgorica, organised by Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans. The meeting brought together government representatives, civil society organisations and think tanks to discuss preparations and the work of the six thematic groups. Participants emphasised the importance of concrete recommendations with measurable objectives and clear timelines to support progress monitoring and accountability.

Validating the recommendations

On 9 September 2026, a regional validation meeting brought together 65 stakeholders representing civil society organisations, public institutions, think tanks, the media, donor and research organisations, and regional cooperation organisations engaged in the Berlin Process.

Participants reviewed the draft recommendations and proposed improvements to strengthen their relevance and clarity. Their feedback informed the version subsequently presented in ministerial and Forum discussions.

Bringing civil society priorities into ministerial dialogue

On 1 October 2026, Partners Albania participated in the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Montenegro, presenting the Working Group’s recommendations and emphasising that the protection of civic space should be a binding condition of the EU enlargement process.

The recommendations outlined five priorities:

• Institutionalise meaningful, inclusive and accessible civil society participation, and ensure transparency in policymaking processes.
• Guarantee a safe and enabling legal, institutional and financial environment for independent media and human rights defenders.
• Strengthen the rule of law and safeguards for electoral integrity.
• Ensure dedicated and safeguarded EU funding for the protection of civic space in the Western Balkans.
• Ensure active and rights-based participation of the Western Balkans in the European Democracy Shield.

Advancing the discussion at the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum in Prishtina

The Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026 took place in Prishtina from 5 to 7 October 2026.  CSF is a platform within the Berlin Process that brings together civil society organisations, experts and policymakers to develop recommendations on regional challenges and inform discussions on the Western Balkans’ European integration.

Partners Albania facilitated the thematic session “Safeguarding Civic Space & Democracy: From Commitments to Conditionality for a Credible EU Enlargement Process.”

Building on the consultation findings and recommendations, the session examined how democratic commitments could translate into concrete accession requirements. It explored the institutional responsibilities and safeguards needed to uphold democratic accountability, media freedom and electoral integrity, alongside mechanisms enabling civil society to contribute to reforms and monitor implementation.

The recommendations will also contribute to discussions at the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit in Podgorica on 22 October 2026, calling for these priorities to be reflected in the commitments, financial support and monitoring mechanisms supporting the Western Balkans’ progress towards EU membership.

The Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026 is organised by Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans in partnership with the Government of Kosovo and in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro.