The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

In supplying government leaders and determining public policy, political parties in the Balkans exercise much power, and need to use that power in leading their countries toward the European Union (EU). This means becoming more inclusive organizations, modernizing decision-making, developing visionary policies based on clear values and connecting across borders to work with like-minded parties. Political parties in the region can learn from colleagues elsewhere in Europe to produce policies in pursuit of their visions.

NDI's Democracy Support Programs

With funding from the National Endowment for Democracy, NDI has helped parties in the Balkans clarify their identities along contemporary Social Democratic, Liberal and Center-Right ideologies, and develop coherent policies consistent with European integration. NDI works with approximately 30 parties, and partners with British, Dutch, German, Greek, Slovenian and Swedish party foundations to convene regional seminars and foster cross-border exchanges between parties with similar values.

• Liberal parties in the Balkans plot a shared course toward the future»

Through the initiative, political parties have strengthened their internal structures – such as the creation of policy development bodies in the Independent Liberal Party in Kosovo, the formation of a women’s forum and its policy platform in the Social Democratic Party of Serbia, and the creation of a training center in the National Liberal Party of Romania. New connections are being made across the region on policy development. For example, the Democratic Party provincial branch in Vojvodina, Serbia, shared its approach to small business loans with leaders of the Socialist Movement for Integration in Albania.

NDI has supported the Liberal Network of Southeastern Europe (LIBSEEN), which has founded a permanent office and formal decision making board to present a common liberal voice from the region in relation to the EU.

The informal connections forged through the regional program are becoming more formal networks of party activists of similar background throughout the region. Center right parties founded a loose regional network of youth forums. Social democratic women created a steering committee to link women activists. Through this regional exchange, parties dedicate increasing effort to opening the policy development process, learning from their neighbors’ experiences, in the region and in the European Union. EU parties and foundations are responding to these initiatives by investing increasing time and energy into their sister parties in the Balkans.

• Youth leaders declaration from Belgrade Summit seeks regional cooperation and peace»
• Women Social Democrats of Southeastern Europe reach across borders for shared goals»
• NDI hosts roundtable on gender politics in the Western Balkans»
• Center-Right political party youth leaders gather from across the Balkans to form political network»

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Sarajevo
Ana Radicevic, Resident Program Manager
aradicevic@ndi.org

Washington, D.C.
Kent Fogg, Senior Program Assistant
kfogg@ndi.org

Pictured above: Young conservatives across the Balkans draw on traditional values to build modern conservatism at a regional gathering hosted by NDI.