BELGRADE– Civil society organizations from across the Western Balkans gathered in Belgrade on 16 March 2026 to launch a new phase of cooperation to strengthen their role in shaping transport policies and reforms in the region.

The meeting, organized by the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community and the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, brought together organizations that will implement projects focused on transport, mobility, and public policy engagement.

The event marks the start of several initiatives led by civil society groups that will focus on topics such as sustainable mobility, transparency in infrastructure projects, and greater citizen participation in transport decision-making.

Opening the meeting, Mr. Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, highlighted the importance of involving civil society in transport reforms across the Western Balkans.

“Civil society organizations have an important role to play. They bring independent expertise, represent community perspectives, and contribute to transparency, accountability, and more inclusive policymaking,” said Zakonjšek.

Mr. Miodrag Milosavljević, Deputy Director of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, underlined the value of cooperation between institutions and civil society in improving public policies and strengthening regional dialogue and the region’s integration into the EU.

During the meeting, participating organizations presented their projects and discussed common challenges in implementing transport and mobility initiatives. The discussions also focused on how organizations can collaborate, share knowledge, and support one another in engaging with national institutions and regional initiatives.

The event also provided practical guidance to the selected organizations on project management, reporting, and communication as they begin implementing their activities.

The Belgrade meeting builds on the workshop held in Brussels in September 2025, where civil society organizations from the Western Balkans and the European Union first gathered to discuss how non-governmental actors can contribute to transport policy and infrastructure development. This has also been discussed during the Transport Community’s Social Forum in Sarajevo, and later endorsed by the Transport Community’s Regional Steering Committee and Ministerial Council.

By continuing this cooperation, the initiative aims to strengthen the role of civil society in transport reforms across the Western Balkans, helping ensure that future policies and investments are transparent, sustainable, and beneficial for communities across the region.

 Click here to get more info about this programme.