The European Fund for the Balkans, established in 2007 is a joint initiative of European foundations that envisions, runs and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening democracy, fostering European integration and affirming the role of the Western Balkans in addressing Europe’s emerging challenges.

The up-to-date programme strategy based on three overarching areas – Capacity Development, Policy Development and Regional Cooperation – is channelled via flagship programmes and selected projects, complemented with a set of actions arising from EFB’s regional identity as a relevant player in its fields of focus.

Their synergetic effects are focussed on continuous “Europeanisation” of the policies and practices of the Western Balkans countries on their way to EU accession, through merging of the region’s social capacity building with policy platform development, and a culture of regional cooperation.

EFB Strategy

The new European Fund for the Balkans programme strategy which was adopted in the course of 2015 is organised around three programme areas – Capacity Development, Policy Development and Regional Cooperation – based on three theories of change. Their synergetic effects are designed to contribute to democratic development of the Western Balkans countries on their way to EU accession, through merging capacity building of the region’s social capacity in the EU integration process with policy platform development (focused on a transparent, inclusive, evidence-based policy-making process and with a strong networking component), and with a regional approach resulting in a developed culture of regional cooperation.

The combined implementation of these programmes will contribute to democratic development of the Western Balkans countries on their way to EU accession and hence contribute to the fulfilment of the mission of the EFB. The fact that the Fund’s target groups include stakeholders from all Western Balkans candidate and potential candidate countries, mainly in a mixed setting, means that the EFB programmes also contribute to the development of cross-border, cross-ethnic and cross-religious relationships throughout the region. These relationships are an important asset for lasting peace and stability in the region.

Mission

The European Fund for the Balkans aims at strengthening democracy, fostering European integration and affirming the role of the Western Balkans in addressing Europe’s emerging challenges.

Strategic Objectives

• To develop the Western Balkans social capacity focused on the regions democratisation and EU accession process;

• To develop a policy platform that improve policy making while strengthening democratic institutions and civil societies in the Western Balkans and supporting EU integration;

• To develop a culture of regional cooperation with a set of norms taken at the societal level.