Civil society organizations from across the Western Balkans have formally endorsed a joint declaration calling for stronger social safeguards within the European Union’s Pact for Growth. The declaration was adopted today in Tetovo, reaffirming a shared regional commitment to ensuring that economic reforms go hand in hand with social inclusion and protection of vulnerable groups.
Representatives from six organizations—Community Development Institute (RN Macedonia), Žene sa Une (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Alfa Centar (Montenegro), Nisma Arsis (Albania), The Balkan Forum (Kosovo), and the Institute for Cooperation and Development (Serbia)—gathered to underscore the importance of integrating social priorities into the Pact for Growth, a key EU instrument aimed at accelerating the region’s convergence with the European Union.
Supported by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Germany, the organizations have launched a regional initiative to strengthen the capacity of civil society to monitor reforms, engage with institutions, and promote policies that translate economic progress into social well-being.
Through the declaration, the signatories call on Western Balkan governments to ensure that the implementation of the Pact for Growth addresses unemployment, poverty reduction, quality social services, and the protection of marginalized groups. They also encourage deeper regional cooperation among public institutions, civil society, and the private sector to develop inclusive policies. The organizations pledged mutual support, knowledge exchange, and joint advocacy to keep social considerations at the forefront of national reform agendas.
The declaration concludes with a shared vision: that the true success of the Pact for Growth lies not only in economic outcomes, but in building fair, resilient, and inclusive societies across the Western Balkans.