The first module of the Echoes of Democracy Political School convened regional and international experts, policymakers, and researchers in Skopje to discuss the European future of the Western Balkans. Supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Skopje), the program is designed to strengthen evidence-based leadership and foster informed dialogue on democratic governance, enlargement, and the evolving geopolitical context affecting the region.

A Region at a Crossroads

The opening session, The Western Balkans’ Path Forward, brought together high-level voices to examine the state of EU enlargement amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Former President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski highlighted the importance of sustained political commitment to European integration, stressing that enlargement remains a strategic objective but requires consistent engagement from both the European Union and countries in the region. Kristof Bender, Deputy Chairman of the European Stability Initiative, underlined that the transformative power of enlargement depends on maintaining clear standards, particularly regarding the rule of law and democratic governance.

Ivan Vujačić, Professor at the University of Belgrade and former Serbian Ambassador to the United States, emphasized the need for the European Union to reassess its strategic positioning, noting that changing global dynamics require more realistic and autonomous policy responses from the EU.

The EU’s Evolving Role

Discussions throughout the session reflected a broader shift in the European context. Speakers noted that the European Union is increasingly expected to act as a geopolitical actor, particularly considering the war in Ukraine, even though its institutional design was originally grounded in soft power and economic integration. This evolving role raises important questions about how enlargement is approached and whether geopolitical considerations are beginning to reshape traditional accession criteria.

The discussion also reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation as a cornerstone of the European integration process. The concept of the Western Balkans was framed not only as a geographical grouping but as a shared political trajectory toward EU membership. In this context, Miodrag Milosavljević, Deputy Director of OSF-WB, highlighted the role of regional initiatives and collaboration in advancing integration efforts, emphasizing that sustained cooperation remains essential for addressing shared challenges and accelerating reform processes.

Generation Z: Informed Engagement, Conditional Support

A key contribution to the discussions came from Lura Pollozhani, Researcher at the University of Graz and member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group, who presented findings from the Democracy Pulse: Gen Z in the Western Balkans research, OSF-WB’s flagship initiative mapping the political realities of Generation Z across all six Western Balkan countries through over 6,000 interviews.

The research shows that young people continue to see EU membership as central to their future, but their support is increasingly tied to expectations for meaningful reform. Rather than unconditional optimism, this generation demonstrates a more critical and informed approach, emphasizing accountability, the rule of law, and institutional change. Notably, 79.7% of those surveyed believe democracy is the best form of government, a figure that outpaces European youth averages.

These findings point to an important opportunity: aligning reform processes with the expectations of younger generations could serve as a key driver of democratic transformation in the region.
Read the full Democracy Pulse report

Building a Pipeline for Democratic Leadership

The Echoes of Democracy Political School goes beyond discussion by supporting the development of practical, evidence-based approaches to policymaking. Through sessions on diplomacy, security, civic engagement, and data-driven governance, the program helps build capacity for more effective and accountable leadership. It will continue in the coming months through a structured program of modules that brings together a selected cohort of 26 participants from across the region.

By convening diverse actors and perspectives, the initiative reinforces a core premise: advancing the Western Balkans’ European future requires not only political commitment but also sustained investment in democratic governance, regional cooperation, and inclusive policy processes.

The Echoes of Democracy Political School will continue in the coming months through a structured series of thematic modules. The program is supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans and Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Skopje).