Abstract
This article analyses the role of civil society organisations in democratisation processes across the Western Balkans, examining how EU accession conditionality has shaped the development and functioning of civil society in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.
Key Findings
- EU-driven civil society development produces organisations oriented toward Brussels rather than domestic constituencies
- Donor dependency creates structural vulnerabilities that limit organisational autonomy
- The gap between urban-based professional NGOs and grassroots civic movements remains significant
- Informal civic activism is often more effective at mobilising citizens than formalised NGO structures
Methodology
The study combines institutional analysis of EU-civil society frameworks with qualitative case studies of civic organisations in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Skopje. Semi-structured interviews with 45 civil society leaders and EU officials provide first-hand perspectives on the dynamics of democratisation support.
Implications
The findings challenge simplistic assumptions about the relationship between civil society development and democratisation, suggesting that the quality and rootedness of civic organisations matters more than their quantity or formal capacity.
