Donald Trump introduced his “Board of Peace” to the World Economic Forum in Davos during January 2026 as an innovative tool for resolving international conflicts. The initiative gained support from more than twenty countries during the following weeks when Saudi Arabia and Turkey joined as participants while Western countries showed divided responses because France, Germany and the United Kingdom among others refused to join due to concerns about potential Board mandate violations which would damage established United Nations power. The Western Balkans currently experiences two competing forces which include the power struggle between Washington and Brussels and the region’s ongoing…
The recent election in Kosovo signified more than just the physical act of voting, formations of alliances, and distribution of seats. It was a very quiet but yet powerful rejection of one of the most persistent clichés concerning the Balkans: that democracy in this area is weak, reliant, or merely a facade. In an era in which European elections are more and more characterized by rifts, disinformation, and dwindling confidence, the vote in Kosovo was not exceptional because it was full of action but simply because it was effective. It is such a scenario that a country usually branded with…
Serbia’s Year of Protest: A Movement that Will Not Die
Serbia’s Year of Protest: A Movement that Will Not Die
Serbia, which is still affected by civil disturbances, is one year after the roof of the Novi Sad railway station accident, which caused 16 deaths and completely lost the trust of the citizens in the government. What started as a public show of mourning has now become the longest protest in the country’s history. The demonstrations have been moving from Belgrade through Novi Sad and other cities and are still going on due to students, activists, and ordinary people who believe that the disaster has revealed a deeper problem of governance than just mismanagement. According to Al Jazeera, the disaster’s…
North Macedonia’s 2025 Local Elections: Political Victory Regardless of Civic Concerns
North Macedonia’s 2025 Local Elections: Political Victory Regardless of Civic Concerns
The ruling VMRO-DPMNE party won the 2025 local elections in North Macedonia by a large margin and claimed 55 out of 81 mayoral elections, including the capital city of Skopje. This result confirms the party’s strong organization and its leadership role in the upcoming national elections. Nevertheless, the official figures are concealing a more encompassing scenario of public disillusionment and deep-rooted democratic concerns. The voting participation was one of the lowest ever recorded since the country’s independence and independent observers claimed that approximately 54,000 ballots were spoiled, this being the highest number ever recorded. The many voters who did not…
Western Balkans 2025: A Rollercoaster Ride Toward the European Union
Western Balkans 2025: A Rollercoaster Ride Toward the European Union
The Western Balkans are still a territory of aspiration, hopes, and sometimes frustration with regard to accession to the European Union. The European Commission’s reports of 2025 bring about a lot of nuances showing that while all countries are somehow committed to this path, each one has its own particular political, economic, and social challenges. Let’s have a look at insights through the region. Albania The situation in Albania is seen positively regarding its process to EU membership. The country remains an active participant in the region through its involvement in the Berlin Process and the establishment of the Common…
Eco Festival – Prishtina Sustainable Design Week 2025: Where Sustainability Meets Creativity
Eco Festival – Prishtina Sustainable Design Week 2025: Where Sustainability Meets Creativity
Prishtina, 29 September – 3 October From 29 September to 3 October 2025, Prishtina came alive with creativity, innovation, and community spirit during the Eco Festival – Prishtina Sustainable Design Week (PSDW). Organized by The Balkan Forum in collaboration with DYVO Lab within the ECO CHAMPIONS project and co-funded by the European Union, the festival marked a milestone for Kosovo’s environmental and creative community, transforming the capital into a dynamic hub of sustainability and intergenerational collaboration. Building Bridges Between Generations for a Greener Future The festival’s mission was clear: to connect generations and strengthen awareness and practical competences in sustainable…
