TRUST

Despite its economic advancements and some critical steps made towards the stabilization through EU integration process with countries holding candidate status for full membership, the region of WB remains prone to instabilities and security threats some of which are the remnants of wars in the 90s, some of which are new. Feeling insecurity comes from both ends internal (specific to the complex regional relations and historical justice/injustice views leading to radical and violent behaviors) and external (specific to the regional fragility and remaining socio-economic difficulties in gaining pace with European societies and its position vis-à-vis current instabilities in world politics). According to a recent survey #SecuriMeter 2021 conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo with more than 6,000 people participation (RCC, 2021), 64 percent of citizens living in the region are satisfied with the security situation in the Western Balkans. Organized crime, terrorism, migrant crisis, pandemic, pollution, and fake news represent security challenges for the largest number of citizens. In other words, heath security, food security and socio-political security aspects worry the citizens the most be it through virtual or physical spaces. Acknowledging that politics is a two level game, and that education is the core element of progress in integral development of the region (realizing individual and collective transformation) leading to closer regional collaboration on a number of core security threats and relations with the EU, the TRUST project seeks to open up the space for participation of regional experienced and newcomers HEIs/faculties and persons with fewer opportunities to raise voice and contribute to regional resistance and resilience to up and coming threats in different contents.

To increase WB regional preparedness and resilience to security-related instabilities and weaknesses in the areas of governance in a holistic way (including with reference to educational, food and health sectors), rule of law and the fight against corruption.