Civil society organisations from across the Western Balkans have issued a joint statement ahead of the Leaders’ Summit in London, calling for more meaningful inclusion of civil society in the Berlin Process. While they welcomed the British Council’s efforts to provide a platform for open dialogue through national workshops and the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum, the organisations noted that many active CSOs were excluded or invited too late to influence policy outcomes.

The statement points out that although over 70 civil society representatives participated in in-country consultations across six thematic areas, it remains unclear how participants were selected. With only about one representative per country per topic, the process could not adequately reflect the diversity of views within the region’s civil society.

The organisations further criticised the timing and format of the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum, noting that the Policy Recommendations had already been finalised before the event took place, limiting the possibility of meaningful debate and input. They also highlighted logistical issues such as late invitations and unclear information on travel support, which restricted participation.

The signatories recommend opening the process of drafting Policy Recommendations, ensuring transparent selection of participants, and holding forums prior to their finalisation. They also call for CSOs to be involved in thematic Berlin Process events, not just in separate forums, to foster genuine dialogue and influence on decision-making.

Read the full joint statement HERE.

The statement was signed by 67 organizations from the region, and the initiative was launched within the project “Green Agenda Navigator”, co-funded by the European Union. The project is implemented by the Belgrade Open School in cooperation with six regional partners: the Aarhus Centre Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Eco-Tim organization from Montenegro, the Eco-Zone organization from Kosovo*, the Center for Environmental Research and Information Eko-Svest from North Macedonia, the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment organization from Albania, and the CEE Bankwatch Network.

*This designation does not prejudice the status of Kosovo and is in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, as well as the International Court of Justice's opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.