GENERAL DESCRIPTION 

#ConnectBalkans – Regional Summer Academy is a pilot regional initiative led by the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) responding to persistent challenges in the Western Balkans, including limited regional cooperation, insufficient intercultural understanding, and the low participation of young professionals in civic and policy-making processes. While political and economic reforms continue across the region, emerging leaders often lack structured platforms to exchange ideas, develop leadership skills, and engage in conflict-sensitive dialogue. This gap constrains regional integration, reinforces stereotypes, and limits joint responses to shared social, economic, and political challenges. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT 

#ConnectBalkans project aims to develop the next generation of leaders capable of fostering democratic governance, intercultural dialogue, and regional cooperation as it provides a shared platform where young professionals, civic leaders, and policy actors learn, reflect, and collaborate across the region.  

Regional Impact  

The #ConnectBalkans Regional Summer Academy initiative addresses a critical gap in regional cooperation by targeting junior professionals from public administration and civil society across the WB6 and V4 regions. While many programmes focus on senior leaders or activists, young professionals poised to take on decision-making roles often lack structured opportunities for regional learning, dialogue, and networking. #ConnectBalkans provides a comprehensive platform combining leadership development, experiential learning, mentorship, and joint projects, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and professional networks needed to foster democratic governance, intercultural dialogue, and regional cooperation. 

A key innovation of this project is the first-time strategic partnership between two regional grant-giving organizations the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF WB) whereas the combination of WBF’s grant-making mandate with OSF WB’s expertise in capacity building and advocacy, the cooperation amplifies the programme’s impact, ensuring participants benefit from both financial support and targeted soft-support mechanisms. This partnership not only strengthens the quality and reach of the Summer School but also establishes a model for joint investment in human capital, creating a new cohort of regionally connected leaders capable of driving sustainable cooperation and producing joint initiatives that highlight the value of regional cooperation.