Dear readers, colleagues, and friends,
European Western Balkans (EWB) marked a significant milestone this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Like many success stories, ours began humbly – in a student dormitory somewhere in central Europe in 2014. A group of enthusiasts from the region established EWB as a project of the Belgrade-based think tank, the Centre for Contemporary Politics.
Over the past decade, the portal has grown into a pivotal source of information bridging the European Union and the Western Balkans. From modest beginnings, we have managed to become a relevant and trusted source of information for audiences in both the Western Balkans and the European Union.
From its inception, EWB made its mark with insightful interviews that highlighted significant events in 2014, including the opening of accession negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia. Our coverage also extended to broader regional cooperation initiatives such as the Berlin Process, which also commenced the same year.
EWB has been steadfast in enhancing the accessibility of information about the European Union in the Western Balkans while simultaneously offering insights from the region to Brussels, EU member states, and international experts. We take pride in the fact that our work serves not only a broad audience and policymakers but also the media community, providing insights into the intricacies of the EU integration process.
The evolution of the EWB has been marked by strategic initiatives aimed at deepening its impact. In 2017, the portal launched a Serbian-language edition, focusing on Serbia’s complex EU integration process and its dynamic and often tense political landscape.
In 2018, the initiative Balkanoskop was launched, introducing audiences to the everyday lives and captivating stories of ordinary people from the Western Balkans. In 2023, we expanded further with Serbia Elects, providing comprehensive coverage of Serbian elections for an international audience.
Coinciding with its fifth anniversary, EWB established the European Western Balkans Award for contribution to the European integration of the region. This prestigious accolade recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly advanced the European integration process in the Western Balkans.
Recipients of the EWB Award so far were North Macedonia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov (2019), Slovenia’s current Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon (2020), the Regional Cooperation Council (2021), European Parliament member Terry Reintke (2022), France’s and Germany’s Ministers for Europe Laurence Boone and Anna Lührmann (2023), and Montenegro’s 44th Government (2024).
The role of the EWB has also been a media partner for major regional events. It has been a strategic media partner of the Belgrade Security Forum and, since 2022, the Belgrade Security Conference – the region’s premier platform for dialogue on foreign affairs and security issues. Additionally, EWB collaborates closely with the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG), further solidifying its position as a leading voice in regional policy discussions.
The portal’s multimedia endeavours have also left an indelible mark. In 2021, EWB produced Long Road to Europe, a documentary chronicling Serbia’s EU integration journey since 2000. This was followed by The Time of Stabilitocracy in 2022, a critical examination of undemocratic governance in the Western Balkans, supported by international actors under the guise of stability. These documentaries have been aired on multiple regional TV stations and have enjoyed over 20 screenings across Europe, including at documentary film festivals.
Over the past decade, EWB has conducted and published more than 400 interviews featuring experts and high-ranking officials from the Western Balkans, EU and the member states. This extensive repository of interviews reflects the portal’s commitment to fostering informed dialogue on the region’s most pressing issues. Additionally, EWB has organized more than 50 events across Europe dedicated to European integration and enlargement.
As it enters its second decade, EWB remains steadfast in its mission to inform, analyze, and connect, further contributing to European integration and fostering understanding between the Western Balkans and the European Union.
In the hope of becoming even better and more widely read in the coming years, the European Western Balkans editorial board wishes you a wonderful festive season and all the best for the year ahead!