Position paper: Resilient Neighbors - Addressing the Common Challenges to Democracy in WB and EaP Countries from a Civil Society Perspective
This position paper explores the shared democratic challenges facing the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries—ranging from shrinking civic space and weak rule of law to the fragile sustainability of civil society organizations. Despite different trajectories toward EU integration, these regions struggle with limited political choice, fragile accountability, and persistent pressure on independent media and civic actors.
Yet, civic resilience endures. From grassroots mobilization to community-based resistance, citizens continue to demand accountable governance and meaningful reform. The paper underscores the urgent need for the European Union and its member states to stand in solidarity with local actors, not only through financial support but also by offering consistent political backing and long-term strategies for democratic renewal.
By highlighting both challenges and opportunities, the paper calls for a recalibration of international support—placing citizens back at the heart of democratic transformation, strengthening community-level engagement, and building partnerships beyond traditional donor frameworks.
The full position paper is available here (pdf).
About the project
Political Capital has become part of the prestigious international project “Addressing the Common Challenges to Democracy in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership,” implemented by Forum 2000 with financial support from the Visegrad Fund. The project brings together nine organizations from the Visegrad Group (V4) and the Eastern Partnership countries, aiming to strengthen the role of civil society organizations as key actors in democratic resilience and change in their regions.
This project, through collaboration with civil society organizations from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, with the support of V4 countries, will identify the key challenges these organizations face in the democratization process. Additionally, through the analysis of strategies, communication messages, and networking with local and international actors, the project will provide recommendations to European Union institutions, international organizations, and donors on ways to support democratic transformations in these regions.
Political Capital’s participation in this project confirms its commitment to strengthening democratic capacities and regional cooperation in addressing the challenges of democratization.
Consortium member organisations:
- Asociația pentru Politica Externă (APE) – Moldova
- Civic IDEA – Georgia
- Forum2000 – Czechia
- Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) – Ukraine
- Memo98 – Slovakia
- Political Capital – Hungary
- Res Publica Foundation – Poland
- SBUNKER – Kosovo
- WestBalkanNet – Montenegro
More information about the project is available here.
