Alpbach, August 23-24, 2024 – The Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans (OSF-WB), in collaboration with ERSTE Foundation, convened the “Future Crafting the Balkans: From Hope to Action” Lab at this year’s European Forum Alpbach.

Over two days of dynamic dialogue, guided by facilitator Sonja Stojanović Gajić, a distinguished group of thinkers from civil society, academia, and business came together to generate ideas on how non-state actors can invest in building the labor force and mobilizing citizens for change.

While the Western Balkans held significant potential, they also confronted deep-rooted challenges, such as fragmented governance and systemic economic disparities within a rapidly evolving European and global context.

Set against Alpbach’s inspiring backdrop, the event focused on a critical question: How can business, academia, and civil society develop and retain talent in the Western Balkans to support a sustainable shift toward green and knowledge-based economies and democratic governance?

Participants examined the region’s challenges in depth, identifying pathways to promote growth and resilience. They proposed ways to improve employment opportunities, prepare the workforce for green and digital transitions, strengthen the agency of civil society, and enhance labor skills to meet emerging demands. Emphasis was also placed on facilitating job access for those facing employment barriers and mobilizing businesses to give back to society. Supporting circular migration and engaging the diaspora emerged as key steps for rebuilding the region’s potential. Additionally, participants highlighted the need for a renewed civil society approach to combat burnout, build solidarity networks and form new partnerships.

Crucially, the ideas shared in Alpbach were intended to resonate in the Western Balkans, sparking the momentum needed for a genuine transformation in the region.