Project duration: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027

Donor: European Union – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV)

CERV Lump Sum Grant

Call: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV

Budget: EUR 342.775

Project lead: LDA Mostar (Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Partners: NALAS (France), CEDEM (Montenegro), ACT-Center (Albania), BCSP (Serbia), LDA Sisak (Croatia), EMMK (North Macedonia) and ALDA (France)

DESCRIPTION

ROOT WB is an international project aimed at strengthening democratic participation, civic engagement and awareness of European Union values in the Western Balkans and the European Union. The project brings together civil society organisations, citizens, young people and local authorities with the aim of promoting inclusive dialogue, participatory governance and cross-border cooperation.

Through capacity-building activities, participatory labs, civic campaigns, policy dialogue and advocacy activities, the project empowers citizens to actively participate in democratic processes and contribute to shaping policies that affect their everyday lives. Particular emphasis is placed on young people, women and marginalised groups to ensure inclusive and gender-sensitive participation.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

To strengthen an enabling environment for civil society organisations in the Western Balkans by fostering civic engagement, supporting democratic participation and promoting European Union values through regional cooperation and dialogue.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

SO1: Promote active citizenship and civic engagement, particularly among young people, women and underrepresented groups at local, national and regional levels.

SO2: Strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations to protect civic space, advocate for reforms and represent citizens’ rights.

SO3: Enhance regional cooperation and the exchange of good practices between civil society organisations, local authorities and EU partners in order to strengthen cross-border civic alliances.

SO4: Improve public understanding of European Union values, rights and institutions, in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

SO5: Establish participatory policy-making mechanisms to ensure that citizens’ contributions are systematically integrated into local governance and EU-related processes.

TARGET GROUPS

• Civil society organisations
• Young people
• Women and marginalised groups
• Local authorities and decision-makers
• Media and legal professionals
• Citizens

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Conducting initial mapping and needs assessments of civil society organisations
• Capacity-building Academy for civil society organisations and young activists
• Implementation of activities within Local Democracy Labs and EU Policy Labs, engaging citizens in structured dialogue
• Organisation of regional community dialogue forums and expert round tables
• Implementation of campaigns promoting civic participation and raising awareness
• Development of the EU Democracy and Policy Literacy Toolkit to strengthen understanding of democratic processes and EU public policies
• Organisation of online civic forums and national final conferences to present project results

All activities are designed to ensure meaningful citizen participation, co-creation of solutions and a long-term impact that extends beyond the project’s duration.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Direct engagement of more than 1,000 citizens across the region
• Strengthened capacities of civil society organisations and young activists for democratic participation and public policy advocacy
• Development of concrete public policy recommendations reflecting citizens’ priorities
• Increased public awareness of European Union values and opportunities for civic engagement
• Contribution to strengthening democratic resilience and the active role of citizens in democratic processes in the Western Balkans

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The ROOT WB project – Regional Responsibility for Our Future: Citizens and Civil Society Organisations Strengthening European Values in the Western Balkans is being implemented in partnership with the Agency for Local Democracy Mostar, NALAS, CEDEM – Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, Qendra Shqiptare për Edukim, Përkujdesje dhe Trajnim, Bezbednost.org, European Movement EMMK, and ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy.

The project is funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.

The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.