🇲🇪 On the week of the #EUWesternBalkans summit in Tivat, the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) met in Montenegro to place regional cooperation in the Western Balkans at the centre of the discussion. On this occasion, they issued the official joint statement "Call for a progressive EU enlargement". Find out more. ➡️ bit.ly/WhatDrivesEnlargement The discussion provided a platform for exchange among members of the European Parliament, representatives of national parliaments from the Social Democratic family and a broad network of experts to: 🔍 Reassess whether and how regional cooperation can still function as a credible instrument of enlargement ⚙️ Discuss the risks of the instrumentalisation of the #RegionalCooperation as a platform for accessing funding or consolidating political alliances 🇭🇺 Examine the implications of recent political developments in Hungary for the enlargement process 🌱 Present the challenges and opportunities related to the #JustTransition in the Western Balkans, aligning with EU Green Agenda goals while supporting affected workers and communities While new proposals to reform the EU enlargement methodology circulate in Brussels and beyond, it must be underlined that enlarging the Union is, and will always remain, primarily a matter of political will – both among Member States and in candidate countries. 🤝 By FEPS, in cooperation with @FES_Europa, Foundation Max van der Stoel - FMS, @SorsaFoundation, @Palmecenter, @j_jaures, @RennerInstitut, @CeSPI_Roma, @D_Progresiva and @TheProgressives, in the framework of FEPS Enlargement Programme. The conference was preceded by the S&D Willy Brandt Programme conference.

Vabimo vas na spletni seminar “Razčlenitev slovenskih volitev: rezultati, posledice in trendi", ki bo obravnaval volitve v Državni zbor 2026. Potekal bo v torek, 24. marca 2026, ob 15:00 na povezavi: youtube.com/live/DFPkYEfcZ8s

🇭🇷 The Training of Trainers' weekend took place in Zagreb, Croatia, by FEPS in cooperation with the Foundation Max van der Stoel (FMS) and the @RennerInstitut! Find out more about the Training of Trainers programme 👇 bit.ly/TrainingTrainers_Zagr… In Zagreb, the event brought together experienced and aspiring trainers from across the Balkan region, as well as participants from Poland, Hungary, and Czechia. 🇵🇱🇭🇺🇨🇿 Guided by two experienced facilitators and co-shaped by the participants, the programme combined interactive methodologies, peer learning, and practical exercises, with a strong emphasis on training in a #European context and on addressing shared challenges across the EU. The Training of Trainers aimed to enable each participant to take concrete steps towards becoming the best trainer they can be, while preserving their individual style and strengths. 🤝 The weekend strengthened participants’ connection to the EU FEPS Pool of Trainers, fostering cross-border cooperation, mutual support, and a shared commitment to contributing to the progress and success of the European progressive family.

💰 📕 The 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework #MFF Budget may mark a watershed moment in the #Enlargement process. Read FEPS' latest policy brief “Financing Enlargement via the 2028-2034 MFF". bit.ly/EUBudgetEnlargement #Enlargement is an increasingly pressing topic within the EU, amid Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia's EU membership applications and a growing awareness of the risk of destabilisation in the #WesternBalkans if the EU does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to enlargement. Enlargement funds must now not only compete with other pressing priorities, such as humanitarian assistance, development aid and climate action, but may also be diluted during negotiations or diverted in response to crises. This policy brief addresses three topics: 👉 What funding is dedicated to #Enlargement, 👉Whether it is sufficient to meet the challenge; and 👉Whether the proposal adequately prepares the #EU for the inclusion of new Member States. This policy brief is written by @federicobaccini, Freelance Journalist, Founder @newunionpost, as part of the Friends of the Western Balkans (#FoWB) project, organised by FEPS in cooperation with the @FES_SOE, @RennerInstitut, @SorsaFoundation, @j_jaures, Foundation Max van der Stoel (FMS), @D_Progresiva and @Palmecenter.

❗ PRESS RELEASE: Nicolas Schmit @NicolasSchmitEU, former Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, was elected to the position of President during the Extraordinary General Assembly. After eight years in the role, outgoing President Maria João Rodrigues @MJRodriguesEU requested to be replaced, considering her mission accomplished. 🔗 Read the full press release: feps-europe.eu/news/feps-ele…

Congratulations @NicolasSchmitEU on being elected new President of @FEPS_Europe. Čestitke za izvolitev!

Following the meeting in Belgrade, the Friends of the Western Balkans #FoWB have issued a joint statement addressing: 🇷🇸 The situation in Serbia and in support of the students' protests 🇪🇺 The future of #Enlargement 📉 The implications of the European Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework #MFF Read the FULL statement here 📃 bit.ly/FoWB_Statement 🤝 By FEPS, in collaboration with @j_jaures, @SorsaFoundation, @RennerInstitut, @Palmecenter, Foundation Max van der Stoel, @D_Progresiva and @TheProgressives

🇷🇸 The Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) gathered in Belgrade, Serbia, to discuss the political, rather than technical, issues of the new EU budget #MFF, the political situation in Serbia and the repercussions on the regions. Find out more! 📄 bit.ly/NewEUBudget_FoWB The European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework #MFF will shape the EU budget and priorities for the next financial cycle. Despite promising to be the largest ever EU budget, the current proposal only includes a modest real increase compared to the previous one. Several concerns emerged during the discussion, including: ◉ A shift towards greater centralisation in the new MFF, potentially at the expense of #cohesion, and the inherent tensions that allocation of funds will generate. 📈 A substantial increase in external action funding, which includes enlargement, but also new priorities such as defence, raising questions about how resources will be allocated. 📉 The risk of insufficient funding for reforms in candidate countries and uncertainty surrounding new accessions. It remains to be seen how the inclusion of potential new candidates will be managed. Participants also looked at the future of the European Union, the state of #Accession preparations and the current situation in Serbia, including the impact on the region – in particular, on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Read more about the event ➡️ bit.ly/NewEUBudget_FoWB The FoWB by FEPS with partners @RennerInstitut, @SorsaFoundation, @j_jaures, Foundation Max van der Stoel, @D_Progresiva and @Palmecenter

Shape the future of coal regions! 🥁 We are looking for a Lead Researcher on #JustTransition in the #WesternBalkans. 👉 regionaladd.org/call-for-app…

Saopštenje za javnost povodom zlostavljanja studentkinje i pretnje silovanjem u zgradi Vlade Srbije #reaguj #stopnasilju #silovanjejezlocin reaguj.org/ne-posmatraj-reag…

The Friends of the Western Balkans met in response to the anti-corruption protests sparked by the deadly collapse of the concrete canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station Driven by student-led demonstrations, the movement is reshaping 🇷🇸 Serbia’s political landscape and calling for snap elections. Social Democratic parliamentarians, experts and activists examined the protests’ impact on #EUEnlargement and explored ways to support democratic change. Find out more ℹ️ bit.ly/FoWBLjubljana With @FES_SOE @j_jaures FMS @SorsaFoundation @RennerInstitut @Palmecenter @D_Progresiva & @TheProgressives

Great exchange with our Serbian, Western Balkans & EU friends in Ljubljana. Today, we continue our activities as part of the S&D Willy Brandt Programme for Enlargement, with a focus on Serbia. We share the same aspirations: a better future for a democratic Serbia within the EU.

V Bruslju smo danes sodelovali na okrogli mizi predsednikov/c progresivnih think tankov, ki jo je organiziral @FEPS_Europe. Iskali smo odgovore na izzive, ki jih EU predstavlja Trump.

It was such a great discussion with a lot of insights. Defending democracy should not be equivalent to defending the status quo. And output legitimacy matters! @fesonline @MartinSchulz

Ovogodišnji sastanak Evropskog foruma za demokratiju u Briselu sa svim prisutnim fondacijama iz Evrope i regiona Zapadnog Balkana pružio je podršku solidarnosti sa građanima Srbije i dao 15 minuta ćutanja za nastradale u kolapsu železničke stanice u Novom Sadu. #NoviSad11:52

Učesnice i učesnici godisnjeg sastanka Evropskog foruma za demokratiju pružili su podršku iniskazali solidarnost sa ljudima iz Novog Sada I Srbije #ZastaniSrbijo

6⃣The 6th meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans took place in Brussels! Amidst a crucial political moment – with the start of the new EU political cycle and the results of the US elections- the Friends of the Western Balkans met to discuss the impact on the #enlargement process, & what can be done to keep the momentum, push for enlargement, & support progressive forces in the region. Stay tuned for the upcoming political statement 👇 🔗bit.ly/FoWBNov2024

🚀 Under the 🇪🇺-powered WYDE Women Leadership project, @UN_Women is advancing women's political participation. As fellow Lead organization of the WYDE Initiative, we're proud to share their efforts! Learn more and apply: bit.ly/4haCETZ #WYDECommunity #WYDEWomenLeadership

A #ChildUnion is the progressive answer to overcome inequalities among children & throughout generations We need a #ChildUnion focused on improving access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) & better integrating it w/ other welfare provision Learn more in our policy study 'Towards a Child Union' 📕bit.ly/3AQ1iXp

Do you know that the richest 1% in Europe owns half of European wealth? Join us for the Tax the EU Billionaires Day to promote the European Citizens' Initiative to #TaxTheRich Sign and share! ✍️ eci.ec.europa.eu/038/public/…