The project is implemented through the efforts of the Intersectoral Working Group for Reform Agenda Monitoring (IWG), a consultative mechanism established within the framework of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU), the Project coordinator. The IWG brings together civil society organisations, experts, and academic community representatives to monitor reform progress, promote transparency, and facilitate structured dialogue with government institutions, the European Commission, and other stakeholders.

The project builds on the long-standing cooperation between the NCEU Secretariat and CEP, one of the NCEU’s founding members and the IWG coordinator. As project partner, CEP leads the work of the IWG, ensures coordination among its thematic sub-groups, provides methodological and analytical guidance, and facilitates dialogue with national institutions and the European Commission.

Monitoring and analysis are carried out through the work of six thematic and horizontal sub-groups, each coordinated by a civil society organisation with strong expertise in its respective area: Business Environment and Private Sector Development, coordinated by the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED); Green Transition, coordinated by the Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society (BFPE); Digital Transition coordinated by the Partners Serbia (PS); Human Capital, coordinated by the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF); Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law, coordinated by the Transparency Serbia (Transparency); and the Budgetary and Financial Impact of the Reform and Growth Facility coordinated by the Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES).

The project is structured around three main components: 1. evidence-based monitoring of the Reform Agenda implementation through analytical reports; 2. strengthening the coordination capacity and institutional capacities of the IWG and its sub-groups; and 3. fostering regional peer learning and knowledge exchange among civil society organisations engaged in monitoring reform implementation across the Western Balkans. Through these activities, the project contributes to greater accountability, improved reform implementation, and stronger civil society participation in Serbia’s EU integration process.

Contact person: Ljubica Kovačević, Project Manager, ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs

Članak RA Connect: From National Civil Society Oversight to Regional Peer-learning se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

Building on the priorities of public administration reform (PAR), which the European Commission has identified as a key condition for progress in the EU accession process, the project addresses persistent weaknesses in the areas of transparency and public participation in policymaking and regulatory processes. Particular emphasis is placed on early stages of drafting policy documents, public consultations, and monitoring of their implementation.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to strengthening the capacities of CSOs through the development of practical knowledge and skills required for meaningful and evidence-based participation in public policymaking. The specific objective is to identify concrete CSO needs and enhance their competencies for engaging in the preparation of policy documents, public consultations, and monitoring of policy and regulatory implementation, accompanied by recommendations for further strengthening their role and capacities.

Planned activities include: conducting a needs assessment and defining the focus of the training programme; developing training curricula and supporting materials; delivering one two-day interactive training for up to 20 CSO representatives; and preparing a final report with recommendations for further capacity development of CSOs in this field.

The project builds on the experiences and results of the WeBER Plus initiative (2023–2024), which focused on strengthening CSO capacities in PAR area, as well as on the findings of SIGMA/OECD, which point to the need for further improvement of the public consultation system in Serbia. Although standards are formally in place, practice indicates limited coverage and quality of consultation processes, as well as insufficient capacity of CSOs to use these mechanisms effectively.

Duration: December 2025 – March 2026

Contact: Jovana Knezevic Jovanovic, Senior Project Manager, jovana.knezevic@cep.org.rs

Članak Participation of Civil Society Organisations in the Process of Adopting Regulations and Public Policy Documents se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

The project is led by the European Policy Centre (CEP), in partnership with Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI B&H) and the Centre for Civic Education (CCE). RADAR is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Italian MFA).

RADAR’s overall objective is to contribute to the prevention of extremism, violent behaviour, and democratic backsliding by strengthening youth resilience to digital radicalisation. To achieve this, the project combines two complementary research components:

1. Systematic TikTok content analysis which will include mapping the presence, formats, and algorithmic dissemination patterns of harmful narratives, and,
2. Video-elicited youth focus groups examining how young audiences perceive, emotionally process, and potentially internalise such content.

This mixed-method approach enables comparable insights across the three countries, capturing both the “supply side” and “demand side” of extremist communication.

Findings will be synthesised into three national narrative reports and a transnational policy brief, alongside practical prevention-oriented guidance for institutions and civil society. The project will also produce youth-facing outputs (e.g., infographics, podcasts, blog posts) and organise a transnational webinar, including an Italian think tank perspective, to support dialogue and uptake of recommendations.

Duration: 1 December 2025 – 30 November 2026.

Contact: Jovana Knezevic Jovanovic, Senior Project Manager, jovana.knezevic@cep.org.rs

Članak Radicalisation Analytics in Digital Algorithmic Realms – RADAR se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

The project emphasises the crucial role of civil society in normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo, a key factor for regional security, cooperation, minority rights, and EU integration. Civil society can complement the normalisation process by creating synergy with the European External Action Service (EEAS). To address the challenge of monitoring dialogue agreements, the project aims to develop a model for transparent, civil society-led monitoring of agreements and progress, while strengthening collaboration between civil society organisations (CSOs) in both communities.

The project’s main goal—to support normalisation and EU integration—aligns with EU enlargement objectives. Specific objectives include facilitating monitoring of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and strengthening collaboration between CSOs, regional stakeholders, and the EU.  In achieving specific objectives, project partners will implement a series of different activities which will result in outputs such as a developed monitoring model, enhanced civil society skills, improved cooperation between CSOs in Serbia and Kosovo, and greater awareness of the dialogue among EU institutions.

The initiative is implemented by the European Policy Centre (CEP) in collaboration with Sbunker (Pristina) and Carnegie Endowment (Brussels), which adds significant value by combining regional expertise with international perspectives. During the course of the project, partners will organise a Winter school on enhancing the capacities of civil society to partake in monitoring of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and publish a Shadow Report on the progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue with recommendations for improving the normalisation dialogue. The final event of the project will be a round-table held in Brussels, where the Shadow Report and key recommendations for all actors in the normalisation process will be presented.

Contact person: Ljubica Kovačević, project manager, ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs

Članak Supporting the EU enlargement through the normalisation process between Serbia and Kosovo: Civil society as a driver of progress se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

Despite rising expectations surrounding enlargement, policymakers are still left without a complete picture of its implications. Existing analyses often fall short of providing a concrete, up-to-date assessment of the costs associated with enlargement. This project aims to fill that gap by delivering a detailed, data-driven, and region-wide estimate of the fiscal impact of Western Balkan accession.

It will thus provide: (1) a consolidated estimate of the total cost of integrating the Western Balkans into the EU; (2) country-level projections of expected financial allocations from the EU budget for each future member state; (3) a breakdown of projected EU budget allocations per each heading of the EU’s MFF; (4) estimates of the financial contributions the Western Balkan countries are expected to make to the EU budget upon acquiring membership; and (5) a calculation of the annual cost per capita for EU citizens. These outputs will enable EU and German decision-makers to prepare for the financial implications of enlargement with greater clarity and precision.

Implemented: between June and December 2025.

Contact person: Strahinja Subotić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher, strahinja.subotic@cep.org.rs

Članak Was kostet uns der Balkan? se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

Since 2022, when the Ministry for European Integration discontinued its regular public opinion polls, there has been no systematic insight into how citizens perceive the EU. This project seeks to fill that gap.

By combining comprehensive desk research, a representative public opinion survey, and in-depth focus groups, the research goes beyond surface-level polling data to uncover the deeper motivations behind citizens’ attitudes. The findings will provide an evidence-based understanding of how the perceived tension between values and geopolitics shapes public opinion in Serbia, while offering practical recommendations for both Serbian and EU policymakers to strengthen public trust and ensure a more credible and effective accession process.

Contact person: Strahinja Subotić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher, strahinja.subotic@cep.org.rs

Članak Geopolitics and values – in tension or tandem? Uncovering the drivers behind Serbia’s public perceptions on EU membership se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

The project will thus focus on the following key tasks:

1) carrying out capacity-building of EU member states through the tailored series of capacity-building webinars for EU member states’ administrations aiming to strengthen their enlargement-related capacities, particularly in Foreign and European Affairs ministries and embassies,

2) conducting in-depth research and advocacy as a follow-up to the Model by conducting four (4) advocacy missions to EU member states and one (1) advocacy event in Brussels, and

3) implementing a simplified communication approach on enlargement by introducing and promoting the “TLTR (Too Long to Read) Enlargement Explainers” – short, focused, and occasionally semi-animated videos designed to summarise essential developments in EU enlargement and CEP’s issue papers for policymakers who need succinct information due to time constraints.

By integrating these components – capacity-building, research and advocacy and an innovative communication strategy – this project aims to create a multiplying effect where each activity reinforces the others.

Contact person: Ljubica Kovacevic, Project Manager, ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs

Članak All in on EU Enlargement – Making Gradual Integration Work se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

The Republic of Serbia was selected as the primary case study due to its size, significance, and the potential impact of its labor mobility on the EU. Additionally, the project takes a comparative approach by examining Montenegro, the closest to EU membership, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its high labor mobility. 

The research will collect in-depth, context-specific data through interviews with key stakeholders in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. By collaborating with partners in these countries and experts from the Netherlands, CEP aims to produce a comprehensive analysis and research paper. 

Findings will be presented in The Hague and Brussels to inform EU and Dutch policymakers with on-the-ground insights, supporting more informed decision-making in future EU reform discussions. This project is crucial in bridging the gap between theoretical reform proposals and their practical implications for both potential and current EU member states. 

Contact person: Ljubica Kovacevic, Project Manager ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs

Članak Altering EU free movement of workers in light of further enlargement: A common interest for the Netherlands and Western Balkans? se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.