On 23 and 24 April 2026, the Council of Seniof Officials of the Western Balkans Fund gathered under the Presidency of Montenegro 2026.
The Meeting was dedicated to discussing the future direction of the Western Balkans Fund and the ways in which its work can continue to grow in both scope and impact across the region.
A central part of the discussions focused on the diversification of the Fund’s grant portfolio. Participants explored new ways to broaden existing funding schemes and create additional opportunities that respond to the evolving needs of civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the Western Balkans.
The aim is to ensure that the Fund can support a wider range of initiatives that promote cooperation, dialogue and meaningful connections between people and institutions in the region.
Another important topic on the agenda was the strengthening of partnerships. Expanding cooperation with regional and international partners was highlighted as an important step toward increasing the reach and effectiveness of the Fund’s activities. By working more closely with like-minded organisations, the Western Balkans Fund seeks to build stronger networks and provide greater support to initiatives that encourage collaboration across borders.
Improving outreach was also discussed as a priority. Ensuring that more organisations across the Western Balkans are aware of and able to access the Fund’s opportunities remains a key objective. Greater visibility and stronger communication are expected to lead to wider participation and, ultimately, a larger and more sustainable impact for the projects supported by the Fund.
The meeting is taking place under the Presidency of Montenegro for 2026. Other topics of the agenda was the increase of budget and the election of the new Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.
Under the Montenegrin Presidency, the Council of Senior Officials is working to advance a forward-looking agenda aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, expanding opportunities for civil society, and further consolidating the Western Balkans Fund as an important platform for people-to-people cooperation in the region.
The discussions held during the Spring Meeting will contribute to shaping the next steps of the Fund, ensuring that it continues to grow as a space where cooperation, dialogue, and shared initiatives among the Western Balkans economies can develop and thrive.
