The Western Balkans Fund (WBF) is an intergovernmental organisation created by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Its mission is to promote regional cooperation, strengthen good neighbourly relations, and support the Western Balkans’ progress toward EU integration.
Through grant programmes, mobility schemes, and regional dialogue initiatives, WBF contributes to building trust, fostering mutual understanding, and advancing cross-border cooperation in line with European integration goals. Over the years, WBF has become a recognised regional mechanism supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders in strengthening democratic governance, social cohesion, and regional stability. Its activities align with key EU frameworks, including the enlargement agenda and the EU Guidelines for Support to Civil Society (2021–2027).
Despite this progress, civil society organizations across the Western Balkans continue to operate in increasingly complex environments, characterised by tighter scrutiny, shifting regulations, and in some cases, shrinking civic space. These factors highlight the need for stronger technical and organisational capacities, greater resilience, and an improved ability to demonstrate measurable impact.
Strengthening the operational and strategic capacities of CSOs is closely linked to democratic development and the Western Balkans’ EU integration path.
What is “Peer to Peer – Cooperation Between WB and EU Civil Society Organizations”?
This program, implemented by WBF and funded by the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Germany, aims to strengthen the capacity and resilience of CSOs across the Western Balkans, supporting their active role in the EU integration process.
The project uses a structured, multi-layered approach that combines peer learning with targeted capacity development. It is based on the premise that exposure to established EU civil society practices, supported by tailored training and follow-up, accelerates institutional learning and enhances operational standards.
A core component is direct exchange between Western Balkans CSOs and EU counterparts, focusing on governance practices, monitoring and evaluation, and public communication. This is complemented by expert training on impact measurement, communication, and countering misinformation and disinformation. Using a cascading model, participating organisations will share acquired knowledge through local trainings, extending the project’s reach and sustainability. Ultimately, the project aims to strengthen both individual organisations and the broader civil society ecosystem across the region.
What does this program entail / what activities will you participate in?
A1: Study Visits to EU Civil Society Organisations
If selected, you will take part in a tailor-made five-day study visit to a civil society organisation in the European Union.
During this visit, you will:
- Observe how EU CSOs operate day-to-day
- Exchange experiences and learn directly from your peer organisation
- Explore practical approaches to project management, advocacy, communication, and community engagement
- Build long-term partnerships and networks for future cooperation All travel costs and per diems are fully covered by the project.
After selection, each WB CSO will be paired with an EU peer, and WBF will sign agreements outlining the study visit arrangements.
A2: A Five-Day Residential Training Led by International Experts
As a participant, you will attend a five-day residential training in the Western Balkans region alongside other selected CSO representatives. The training includes three expert-led modules:
- Monitoring and evaluating results and impact
- Effectively communicating results to the public
- Combating propaganda, misinformation, and fake news
These sessions will be interactive and practical, giving you tools and methods you can apply immediately in your work.
The training follows a “train-the-trainer” format, meaning you will not only learn the topics but also gain the skills needed to train others in your organisation and local CSO community
- preparing you for Activity 4.
A3: Online Mentoring and Consultations
After the residential training, you will join online mentoring sessions with the expert trainers. These sessions will help you:
- Clarify any open questions
- Review your training plans
- Ensure the quality of the local trainings you will deliver later
Participants from each Contracting Party will form a team of four, and each team will receive
three mentoring sessions (one per topic), resulting in a total of 18 sessions across all teams.
A4: Delivering Local Trainings in Your Own Country
Finally, as part of a team of four trained CSO representatives, you will co-deliver local trainings for CSOs in your own Contracting Party.
Each team will organise one local training session on the three topics covered earlier, resulting in six trainings across the region.
This gives you the chance to:
- Apply what you learned
- Train your peers
- Strengthen local civil society capacities
- Contribute directly to improving CSO resilience and capacities in your country You will be paid a small trainers fee for your delivery of the local trainings.
Eligibility and selection process
Who Can Apply?
This call is open to civil society organisations (CSOs) based in the Western Balkans. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Organisational Eligibility
- Be a legally registered civil society organisation in one of the Western Balkans Contracting Parties
- Demonstrate relevant experience in areas such as governance, democracy, social development, media, or related fields
- Have the operational capacity to participate in all phases of the programme, including follow-up activities at national level
Participant Eligibility
Each applying organisation must nominate two representatives, who must:
- Be employees or long-term collaborators of the organisation
- Have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in the civil society sector
- Hold a mid-level or senior position, with decision-making or programme implementation responsibilities
- Demonstrate motivation and capacity to apply and transfer acquired knowledge
- Have a good command of English, as all programme activities will be conducted in English
Previous experience in training, facilitation, or capacity-building activities will be considered an asset.
How Selection Works?
Applications will be evaluated through a competitive and merit-based process, based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the organisation’s work to the objectives of the programme
- Motivation and commitment to participate in the full programme cycle
- Profile and experience of the nominated participants
- Potential for impact and knowledge transfer, including the organization’s ability to contribute to local capacity building
In order to ensure balanced regional representation, twelve (12) organisations will be selected (two per Contracting Party), with two participants per organisation, resulting in a total of twenty- four (24) participants.
Selected organisations will be expected to:
- actively participate in all programme components (A1–A4)
- contribute to the delivery of local training sessions
- ensure internal dissemination and application of acquired knowledge.
Where and how to send applications?
Interested organisations are required to submit the following documents:
- Completed Application Form (template provided)
- Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of the two nominated participants
Please send your application to:
applications@westernbalkansfund.org
The deadline for the submission of the applications is Monday 4th of May 2026. 12:59 hrs CET.
Upon submission of the application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt within 72 hours. Please note:
- Applications submitted through other channels (e.g. post, fax) will not be considered
- Applications submitted in languages other than English will not be considered
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered
- Only shortlisted and selected applicants will be contacted
How can I get additional information?
Questions related to this Call for Expression of Interest may be submitted via email to: