About the project

The project “Strengthening Good Neighborly Relations and Regional Cooperation in the Western Balkans: Pathways to EU Integration” addresses one of the most persistent obstacles on the EU path of the Western Balkans – unresolved bilateral disputes and fragile regional cooperation. These challenges, while central to EU integration, are often treated as peripheral issues. Yet they continue to undermine reforms, fuel mistrust, and give space for divisive narratives and external influence.

CDT will explore how political elites instrumentalize disputes to block reforms and polarize societies, focusing on topics such as contested war legacies, cross-border manipulation of citizenship and voter registers, and Serbia’s role in shaping identity and policy dynamics across the region. Three case studies, backed by targeted fieldwork and stakeholder consultations, will provide a deeper understanding of how such disputes are sustained through law, politics, and public narratives.

The findings will be translated into a comprehensive policy paper, actionable recommendations, and a strong advocacy campaign. By reframing bilateral disputes from national grievances into shared European policy challenges, the project seeks to support a more credible and effective EU approach, while empowering reform-minded actors in the region.

Local impact

At the national level, the project will help uncover and counter the ways in which disputes are used to manipulate public opinion and weaken democratic institutions. By working with local experts, civil society, and media partners, CDT will equip stakeholders with tools and evidence to push back against divisive identity politics and disinformation. This will strengthen citizens’ trust in democratic processes and open more space for constructive debate on EU integration.

Regional impact

Regionally, the initiative will bring bilateral disputes into the mainstream of enlargement discussions, treating them as structural barriers that must be addressed collectively. By engaging with a range of regional and international initiatives, CDT will ensure that its recommendations are embedded in broader platforms and contribute to regional ownership of solutions. Through coordinated advocacy, the project will ensure that the EU institutions view bilateral tensions not as side issues but as central to stability, cooperation, and the EU future of the region.