Student perspective Serbia’s European future cannot be understood only through accession chapters, government negotiations, or technical reforms. For many students in Serbia, the question of Europe is no longer only a question of membership. It is a question of what kind of society we want to live in now. The current EU enlargement process has created a long period of uncertainty. Serbia remains close to the EU, but not inside it. The process continues, but without a clear s

Executive Summary The current EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans increasingly appears less like a clear path toward membership and more like a prolonged condition of political suspension. Candidate countries are asked to reform, align, and wait, while the final political decision on accession remains repeatedly deferred. This creates frustration, democratic fatigue, and a sense of being permanently “close to Europe” without being fully included. The paper “Cycling

North Macedonia’s EU accession process has generated real frustration. The country has waited for years, accepted difficult compromises, formally opened negotiations, and still faces a blocked path forward. This disappointment is understandable. Nonetheless, frustration should not be transformed into misinformation or used to argue that the European path is humiliating, pointless, or dangerous. A major problem in the public debate is that anti-EU narratives often appear as “r

The EU accession process in North Macedonia and Serbia has produced frustration, disappointment, and mistrust. Many citizens still support a European future, but they are also tired of delayed promises, unclear timelines, repeated political conditions, and weak communication. This has created a growing gap between pro-EU actors and critics of the accession process. This division should not be reduced to a simple conflict between “Europeans” and “anti-Europeans.” Some critics

Group 1 (afternoon workshop 27th of May 2026) The paper examines Viktor Orbán’s foreign policy toward the Western Balkans from 2010 to 2026, focusing on how Hungary under his leadership sought to build influence through political loyalism, clientelistic networks, and selective financial engagement. Although Hungary officially supported EU enlargement, Orbán simultaneously promoted anti‑EU narratives and used bilateral relations to strengthen his personal and political profile

Group 2 (afternoon workshop 27th of May 2026) The paper then introduces the concepts of clientelism, corruption, and state capture, which form the analytical basis for understanding Hungary’s engagement in the region. Clientelism is defined as a system of asymmetrical, reciprocal relationships in which political patrons distribute material benefits in exchange for political loyalty. This dynamic undermines transparency, fairness, and institutional effectiveness. State capture

North Macedonia is one of the clearest examples of how EU enlargement can become a prolonged condition of waiting rather than a credible path to accession. Although the country has been an EU candidate since 2005 and formally opened negotiations in 2022, the process remains politically blocked. The constitutional changes required to continue accession talks have not been adopted, while public trust in the EU has weakened. From the perspective of a student from North Macedonia

Student Perspective The European path of North Macedonia should not be understood only as a foreign policy goal. It should be treated as a domestic democratic project that can improve institutions, protect rights, reduce corruption, and create better opportunities for citizens. After years of delays, political conditions, and unclear timelines, public frustration with the EU accession process is understandable. However, disappointment should not lead to giving up on the Europ

For many young people in Serbia, the European Union is both a hope and a disappointment. We grew up hearing that Serbia’s future is European, but we also see accession delayed, institutions weakened, and public trust declining. This creates frustration, especially among students who want a democratic, accountable, and open society. However, frustration should not become resignation. The answer is not to abandon the European path, but to reclaim it as a democratic project from

EU enlargement remains the most important strategic framework for the democratic future of the Western Balkans. However, enlargement can lose credibility if it is separated from rule of law, transparency, democratic accountability, and protection from state capture. The case of Viktor Orban’s engagement in the Western Balkans shows that formal support for EU accession can coexist with anti-EU rhetoric, illiberal political models, and clientelist networks. Under Orban, Hungary

North Macedonia’s EU accession process is at a critical point. Although the country formally opened negotiations with the EU in 2022, the process remains blocked after the screening phase because the required constitutional changes have not been adopted. This has created frustration, disappointment, and political fatigue among citizens, especially young people. However, this frustration is increasingly being used to spread anti-EU narratives and selective information. The EU

It is our pleasure to present to you the publication titled 'Alliances for EU.' This publication is a product of the 'Alliances for EU' project ( https://www.alliancesforeu.org/ ), supported by the international Visegrad Fund and co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. ​ In the publication, you will find papers by Gábor Egry, Spasimir Domaradzki, Michal Vit, Juraj Marušiak, Katerina Kolozova, Dimitar Vatsov, Veronika Dimitrova, Ljubomir Donche

European geopolitics is a notion that extends beyond the conventional use of the term, beyond international relations and security policy. The planetary “competitive edge” von der Leyen so often invokes, obviously concerns technological advancement, yet the latter is presumed to be a category of geopolitical nature. If the scale is planetary, it puts forward the importance of territorial consolidation and control. Thus, the continent must become compact, not only at the borde

Со промотивен настан и панел-дискусија, Институтот за медиуми и аналитика ИМА (партнерска организација на ИОХН, Скопје во програмата Цивика Мобилитас) во Скопје ја објави публикацијата „Уставните измени во медиумите: дезинформации, медиумски манипулации, говор на омраза (анализи)“. ​ Публикацијата донесува авторски анализи, во кои истакнати истражувачи со повеќегодишно искуство во медиумите и во професионалните медиумски организации изнесуваат наоди, примери, ставови и мислењ

It is our great pleasure to share with you our recent study entitled: “Restoring EU’s Credibility and the European Consensus in the Civil Society in N. Macedonia.” The study was supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation. This version of the study is quotable, so please if you find it useful you can cite it, comment on it, and freely share it with your colleagues. The study is based on extensive research that took the form of surveys, focus groups, and desk analysis, as well a

The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje, in conjunction with the Visegrad Fund and the Balkan Trust for Democracy-The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is proud to present the proceedings from the Avenues of Cooperation conference, which was dedicated to finding a solution to the cultural conflict between the Macedonian and the Bulgarian state related to their respective nation-building narratives which has caused a stalemate in the Union’s enlargement

The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje, in conjunction with the Balkan Trust for Democracy-The German Marshall Fund of the United States, and the National Endowment for Democracy is proud to present its multi-perspective study on the Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute. This study, entitled: “Toward an Exit Point from the Enlargement Cul-de-Sac Posed by the Macedonian-Bulgarian Dispute,” is authored by Katerina Kolozova (North Macedonia), and Stefan Detchev (Bulgaria

The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje, in conjunction with the Balkan Trust for Democracy-The German Marshall Fund of the United States, and the National Endowment for Democracy is proud to present its multi-perspective study on the Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute. This study, entitled: “Toward an Exit Point from the Enlargement Cul-de-Sac Posed by the Macedonian-Bulgarian Dispute,” is authored by Katerina Kolozova (North Macedonia), and Stefan Detchev (Bulgaria