CRPM Executive Director Marija Risteska participated in the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026 – “Proof, Not Promises”, held in Prishtina on 5–7 October 2026. The Forum brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, researchers and practitioners from across the Western Balkans and Europe to discuss the future of EU enlargement, democratic resilience and the role of civil society in delivering tangible reforms.
A central message from the Forum was that enlargement can no longer be understood simply as a formal process of joining EU institutions. It is equally about economic, political and societal convergence.
As Predrag Zenović, Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator with the European Union, underlined:
“European enlargement is about horizontal as much as vertical integration. Deepening and converging is the fabric of the process, as much as becoming part of the institutional framework.”
He also stressed that while geopolitics may create new momentum for enlargement, it cannot replace the substance of reform.
This distinction is increasingly important for the Western Balkans. A faster geopolitical track towards membership will only be sustainable if accompanied by deeper democratic, economic and institutional transformation.
The role of civil society in this process was strongly emphasised by Lars Castellucci, Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance. He highlighted civil society’s responsibility in enforcing human rights, supporting pluralism and finding peaceful solutions, while noting that such work takes courage – particularly when societies are required to confront painful questions from the past.
His message resonates strongly across the Western Balkans: European integration is not only a matter for governments and institutions. Civil society remains indispensable for ensuring that reforms translate into rights, accountability and democratic practice.
Taken together, these messages capture the spirit of this year’s Forum: enlargement must produce measurable transformation. Geopolitical urgency can create opportunities, but accession must continue to rest on institutional convergence, democratic reform, human rights and genuine societal change. For the Western Balkans, the challenge is therefore increasingly clear: move from commitments to implementation, and from promises to proof.
