The Berlin Process Civil Society & Think Tank Forum is a key regional platform that brings together civil society actors, grassroots leaders, and independent policy voices from across the Western Balkans (WB6) in advance of the annual Berlin Process Summit. It plays a crucial role in formulating Policy Recommendations grounded in local realities, regional cooperation, and shared European aspirations.
As part of the wider Berlin Process, an international diplomatic initiative launched by Germany and supported by European partners including the UK, the Forum contributes to the Process’s core mission: to strengthen regional cooperation, promote economic development, and support the European alignment of the Western Balkans. The Forum provides civil society with a dedicated space to engage in structured policy dialogue, complementing high-level government discussions and enhancing democratic accountability.
In 2025, the UK will host the Berlin Process Summit as part of its commitment to deepening strategic ties with Europe and the Western Balkans. This includes a focus on shared challenges such as European security, serious organised crime, irregular migration, and economic resilience. As such, the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum is embedded within a broader calendar of thematic events that culminate in a Leader’s Summit chaired by the UK Prime Minister.
As hosts of CSF 2025 the British Council’s aim is to deliver a format that learns from and keeps true to the central core of previous CSF iterations, but that builds on innovations and takes stock of progress (or lack thereof) according to previous CSF recommendations. The goal is to ensure that the civic sector's voice shapes the regional integration agenda, and contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and secure communities throughout the region.
Through the Forum, civil society organisations from across the Western Balkans will co-develop concrete recommendations on the following six priority themes:
- Common Regional Market and Growth
- Gender and Diversity
- Reconciliation and Dealing with the Past
- Environment, Energy and Decarbonisation
- Security
- Good Governance
In addition to its core thematic tracks, the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2025 features four dedicated Spotlight Sessions designed to highlight urgent, cross-cutting issues shaping the civic space in the Western Balkans.
Unlike the thematic sessions, the spotlight sessions do not produce formal recommendations. Instead, they offer a platform for civil society voices to surface emerging challenges, share lived experiences, and provoke open dialogue.
The selected spotlight topics—Media, Youth, Migration, and the Operating Environment for Civil Society— will reflect persistent and politically relevant concerns across all WB6 countries. Their formulation will be grounded in analysis of current regional developments, civil society trends, and alignment with Berlin Process priorities, including youth cooperation, freedom of expression, civic resilience, and inclusive governance. These areas were identified for their regional significance and for their direct impact on civic participation, democratic stability, and social trust.