The Western Balkans Fund participated in the Gender Equality Forum 2026, held last week in Sarajevo under the title “Progress under Pressure: Advancing Gender Equality in the Western Balkans.”
The Forum brought together institutional representatives, practitioners, diplomats, civil society organisations and regional partners to discuss the progress achieved in advancing gender equality, as well as the mounting pressures affecting women’s rights across the region.
A central part of the programme focused on women’s economic empowerment, with contributions and support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). Discussions examined the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in economic life and highlighted the importance of coordinated regional action, stronger institutions and targeted support mechanisms.
The Forum also provided space for important exchanges on digital rights, censorship, and sexual and reproductive health advocacy across digital platforms. Participants reflected on the opportunities created by digital technologies, while also addressing the risks posed by online harassment, restrictions on civic space, disinformation and unequal access to digital resources.
Diplomacy and security formed another important pillar of the agenda. The Forum was organised alongside meetings of the Women Diplomats Network, strengthening the connection between gender equality, inclusive diplomacy and regional security. These discussions underlined the importance of women’s meaningful participation in decision-making, peacebuilding and foreign policy.
For the Western Balkans Fund, the Forum represented a valuable opportunity to present its recently launched Gender Equality Fund, a new regional funding instrument designed to support cooperation and concrete initiatives that advance gender equality across the Western Balkans.
The Fund seeks to strengthen regional partnerships, empower civil society organisations and support projects capable of producing measurable and sustainable results. Its launch reflects the Western Balkans Fund’s broader commitment to ensuring that gender equality remains an integral part of regional cooperation and social development.
Following the successful launch of the Gender Equality Fund, the applications received are currently under evaluation. The selected projects are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Photos courtesy of the Regional Cooperation Council.
