he Western Balkans Fund kicked off the new year with significant developments, strengthening regional ties through funding opportunities, strategic events, and capacity-building initiatives. One of the most notable highlights was the launch of our 7th Call for Proposals, offering Civil Society Organizations the chance to secure funding for regional projects.
In addition to grant opportunities, we also opened registrations for the upcoming SYNERGY Conference, set to take place in March. This landmark event aims to bring together municipalities, civil society, and policymakers to discuss strategies for strengthening regional collaboration and EU integration.
January was also a month of direct engagement, as over 500 participants joined our WBF-EU Informative Sessions, held across several Western Balkan cities. Our teams traveled to key locations, meeting with representatives from public entities, associations, and civil society organizations to provide insights into available grant opportunities. These sessions highlighted the increasing interest in regional funding mechanisms and reinforced the importance of supporting grassroots initiatives.
Finally, we successfully completed the first cycle of Diplomatic Communication Skills Training for civil society organizations in Skopje. This tailor-made workshop, in collaboration with the Council of Albanian and Macedonian Ambassadors, empowered participants with essential negotiation and advocacy skills, equipping them to engage more effectively on regional and global platforms.
For more, check out our Monthly Digest in the Newsletter No: 77