Western Balkans

GPPAC members in the Western Balkans bring together civil society organisations from across the region working on dialogue and reconciliation processes and peace education. GPPAC members in the Western Balkans are also increasingly addressing challenges at the intersection of climate, peace, and security. 

Active since 2003, GPPAC Western Balkans forms part of the regional peacebuilding infrastructure that emerged after the conflicts of the 1990s. It advances a locally led, networked approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Much of this work is carried out through the Nansen Dialogue Centres, which connect civil society organisations, educators, local authorities, and policy advisers across the region.

Why our members’ work matters in the Western Balkans:
 

Thirty years after the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, significant reconciliation gaps remain across societies in the region. Divisive narratives, contested historical memory, and persistent social divisions continue to shape public discourse and political dynamics. To address these challenges, the GPPAC network in the Western Balkans works across the region to strengthen peace education and inclusive education approaches that help bridge divides between communities and contribute to long-term structural conflict prevention.

Addressing emerging environmental and social risks

Environmental pressures and climate-related risks are emerging as sources of social tension in the region. Extractive projects and environmental degradation have triggered significant public mobilisation, including protests against lithium mining in Serbia and public outrage following deadly landslides linked to illegal mining in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Air pollution frequently exceeds EU standards, further raising concerns about environmental governance and public health.

In response, GPPAC members in the Western Balkans have identified Climate, Peace and Security as one of the new focus areas. They are expanding cooperation between peacebuilding organisations, educational institutions, youth movements, and environmental initiatives to address the security implications of environmental degradation and support more resilient and sustainable communities across the region.

Knowledge Products
 

Selected publications from network members in the Western Balkans include:

• Peace Education Handbook
• Translation of GPPAC Human Security Handbook Chapters on ‘’Conflict Assessment Tools’’  and ‘’Moving from Conflict Assessment to Planning’’ 
  • Radionica: Sredstva za analizu sukoba (Serbian)
  • Radionica: Od analize sukoba ka planiranju (Serbian)
  • Radionica: Sredstva za analizu sukoba (Montenegrian) 
  • Radionica: Od analize sukoba ka planiranju (Montenegrian) 
• Translation of the GPPAC online Gender Training Toolkit into the Serbian language, December 2024.