HEINRICH BÖLL STIFTUNG BELGRADE

Welcome to the website of the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Office in Belgrade. We are responsible for the Foundation’s work in Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro. HBS is a German political foundation affiliated to the German Green Party. Fostering democracy and upholding human rights, taking action to prevent the destruction of the global ecosystem, advancing equality between women and men, securing peace through con­flict prevention, and defending the freedom of individuals against excessive state and economic power – these are the objectives that drive the ideas and actions of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. As a think tank for green visions and projects and an international political net­work we work in over 60 countries with currently 32 international offices.

The European Green Deal is an EU sustainable development strategy for the 21st century. The central problem this strategy tackles are the environment and climate change - how to develop the EU's economy without exacerbating climate change. The EU Commission defines it as "a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use." The Commission also promises to “mainstream sustainability” into all policies, by adopting “a green oath: ‘do no harm.'” In October 2020, on the ocassion of the Berlin Process summit in Sofia, the governments of the Western Balkans 6 committed to the "Green Agenda for the Western Balkans" as a concrete plan to expand the European Green Deals to Southeast Europe.

This dossier comprises texts and analyses which develop some of the most important elements of the European Green Deal in the Western Balkans context.

Western Balkans Strategy Group

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The “Strategy Group for a political, societal and economic European integration of the Western Balkans Six” is a group of legal, historical and political researches from all WB6 countries organized by Heinrich Böll Stiftung’s Belgrade, Sarajevo and Berlin offices. Its aim is to credibly advocate for a more effective European integration of the Balkans in European as well as Balkan capitals.

Event Calender

12
June
Book presentation and discussion Monday, 12. June 2023 in
München

The Past is Now:

Politics of Denial and Dealing with the Past in the Western Balkans

Publications

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Grasp the Truth Based on Facts 5

Report

 This publication is a report on illegal incidents aimed against queer persons which took place in 2021, which Da se zna! has registered during this period. The Report segregates data from reports on these incidents so as to include an analysis of: the source of the incident report; the location where the incident happened; the type of injury sustained by the survivor, their personal characteristics and their intersection, as well as the status of the reported incident in process before the authorities.

one step forward two steps back

One step forward, two steps back

Shadow report

During the period this report was being prepared, the country went through another election cycle, and the quality of the environment was an important topic in the election campaign. The Republic of Serbia (re)elected MPs, as well as the President of the Republic and city councilors in the capital. In the period from previous report to this one, environmental topics have moved from street protests into institutions.

Position Paper On WB6

policy brief

Recommendations and expectations for German and European policy.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has direct and significant implications for the Western Balkans. The lack of a consistent and convincing EU perspective and U.S. engagement in the region opened up space for other actors and scenarios aimed at recomposing the Western Balkans as well as promoted regressive tendencies throughout the region.

perspectives 2022

Perspectives - Green Transition and Social (In)justice

After decades of warnings, it seems that the green transition – the huge change that should slow down, mitigate, and eventually stop, if not reverse, the threatening deterioration of living conditions on this planet – is finally on everybody’s lips.  This edition of Perspectives explains the concept of a just transition - a way to make the change without leaving anyone behind.

environmental issues perceptions

Environmental Issues Perceptions 2021

Opinion poll

The Heinrich Bell Foundation, in cooperation with IPSOS, conducted a public opinion poll on the environment and ecology in late October and early November. The research topics were: ecology, air and water pollution, waste management, climate change, environmental priorities and solving environmental problems.

All publications

Perspectives Southeast Europe

Our Flagship Publication

perspectives 2022

Perspectives - Green Transition and Social (In)justice

After decades of warnings, it seems that the green transition – the huge change that should slow down, mitigate, and eventually stop, if not reverse, the threatening deterioration of living conditions on this planet – is finally on everybody’s lips.  This edition of Perspectives explains the concept of a just transition - a way to make the change without leaving anyone behind.

Perspectives cover

Perspectives - Kosovo 1999-2019: A Hostage Crisis

Twenty years on from the Kosovo War, the collective memory of both parties in the conflict remains burdened by myths and incontestable truths about what actually took place. The process of reconciliation and building longstanding peace is being undermined, primarily, by political elites in both countries, whose populist policies amplify the prejudices between Kosovar Albanians and Serbs. In this issue of Perspectives we aim to highlight the fact that Kosovo is not just a toponym, but a country burdened by its recent violent history, where common people are struggling to rebuild the broken societies that the conflict has left behind.

Perspectives - Stabilocracy and/or Radicalization?

It seems that the expected transition to democracy and free market economy in ‘western Balkans’ has become a never-ending story. Societies are weak, pluralism develops slowly and with great difficulties, political elites still dominate, and economies are still dependent either on political authorities or on international companies. At the same time, we bear witness to authoritarianism, intolerance, more or less constant popular support to the same political leaders or parties who get re-elected in spite of the poor economic and social performance of their respective governments, and the widespread corruption.

All editions of Perspectives
Dossiers

Political Climate - Climate Change and Serbia