CN 2023 / 449-078
Support to the promotion of Civil Society regional actions in the Western Balkans (Phase II)
PRESS RELEASE
Regional, 18 September 2024
Twelve new regional grants have been awarded to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Western Balkans, marking the second phase of the “Support to the Promotion of Civil Society Regional Actions in the Western Balkans”.
The project, implemented by the Western Balkans Fund, is co-funded by the European Union, through IPA – Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.
The grants were announced during an Awarding Ceremony held at Tirana International Hotel, attended by government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps in Tirana, and representatives of various CSOs.
Representing the European Union, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato emphasized: “Cooperation within the region is not just a prerequisite for EU accession but a cornerstone for prosperity. I’m proud of the WBF, which we continue to support with an additional 1 million euros, and happy to see how it helps CSOs realise new ideas which in turn contribute to building more inclusive, diverse, and equal societies. These are the ideas and projects that could transform the countries of the region, create sustainable regional networks, and pave the way for the region’s integration into the EU”.
Dr. Murra, Executive Director of the Western Balkans Fund, commented: “Thanks to the valuable strategic partnership we have established with the European Union, we now have an even greater impact in the region. We can never afford to forget, that the alternative of a region without European values, cannot be real”,
Project Manager Mr. Fjordi Bisha highlighted the competitiveness of the selection process. “I am pleased to welcome today the 12 regional champions, selected after a careful process among over 140 applicants”.
Each grant, delivering a support of up to 30,000 EUR, support initiatives in regional cooperation across various fields, including education, culture, sustainable development, the green agenda, gender equality, and human rights.
The full list of grant recipients is available at LINK
The Western Balkans Fund is an international organization established in 2017 by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the region to promote reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans. Since its inception, it has awarded over 300 grants to CSOs.
For more information or press inquiries, please contact: info@westernbalkansfund.org.
