As a partner of the SMART Balkans project, CRPM actively participated in the regional conference “Think SMART: Rethinking the Old-School Funding Approach”, held on 12–13 November 2025 in Sarajevo. The event brought together civil society leaders, donors, and policy experts to explore innovative funding models and strengthen the role of civil society across the Western Balkans.
Day 1 – Rethinking Funding Frameworks
The first day opened with in-depth discussions on project efficiency, sustainability, and emerging regional financing trends. Key panels included:
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“Money Talks: Trends and Truths in Western Balkans Financing”
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“Evolving the Funding Model”
These sessions featured contributions from leading organizations such as the European Endowment for Democracy, Open Society Foundations, ActionAid Italia, BCSDN, and the Western Balkans Fund, offering diverse perspectives on the future of donor support in the region.
Day 2 – Shaping the Future of Civil Society
The second day focused on the evolving role of civil society organizations. The panel “CSO 2.0 – The Ideal CSO Model” explored how CSOs can innovate, adapt, and remain impactful amid shifting political and social dynamics.
The conference concluded with the session “What is the price for the change?”, highlighting the delicate balance between innovation, sustainability, and long-term results.
Through its active engagement in the SMART Balkans initiative, CRPM continues to contribute to strengthening civic space, promoting integrity-based funding models, and advancing strategic regional cooperation that empowers civil society across the Western Balkans.
