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Advancing democracy in the western Balkans is essential to its post-conflict stabilization and the region’s integration into Europe.
The countries of former Yugoslavia and Albania have the institutional capital and human talent—along with the incentive of joining the European Union—to make their democratic systems genuine and lasting. Dialogue among countries in the region is growing, but each faces domestic challenges that impede democratic reform and slow European integration: institutional deficits, such as inadequate separation of government power; political deficits, as seen in ethnic division and party-based polarization; and accountability deficits that protect private gain at the expense of the public interest. Political institutions are maturing but still need external support to reduce these deficits.
With the above in mind, NDI is pursuing three democracy goals in the region. The first is political leadership that promotes inclusion, representation and accountability, not just rhetorically but through action. The second is democratic governance — constructive government-opposition relations, robust oversight by parliament of the executive branch and clear policies and laws to implement them. The third is civic mobilization in having more people from diverse communities participate in politics as candidates, advocates and watchdogs.
Country highlights include issue-oriented candidate debates prior to Bosnia’s 2010 elections that showcased policy platforms developed by parties with prior NDI support; increased political participation by Serbia’s ethnic minorities and marginalized groups, such as gays/lesbians and the disabled, through electoral reform and issue advocacy; the promotion of election reform in Kosovo; and the inclusion of Macedonian civic groups in parliamentary hearings as advocates on legislation dealing with the environment, agriculture and student rights, among other pressing issues.
NDI regional support to social democratic, liberal and conservative political parties enables politicians to address common development challenges within their parties and to engage colleagues in European party foundations on party reform issues. Institute assistance to western Balkans legislatures is establishing a common development agenda in the context of parliament’s role in the EU integration process, drawing on the experience of legislatures in Central Europe. And NDI support to Roma political activists and government officials throughout the Balkans and in Central Europe is placing them in stronger positions to defend the rights and promote the interests of Roma communities victimized by social and economic discrimination, abject poverty and hate crimes.
NDI is grateful for its longstanding partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the U.S. State Department, the Open Society Institute, European political party foundations, the Czech, Polish and Slovak parliaments, respectively, and others.
