1st Edition
A new pilot regional initiative bringing together junior professionals and emerging leaders from across the Western Balkans region to learn, reflect, and start building something concrete together across intra-regional, cross-sectorial and disciplines.
About
The Regional Academy on Dialogue and Culture of Cooperation is a joint new pilot regional initiative of the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF WB), designed to strengthen regional cooperation, mutual understanding, and inclusive dialogue across the Western Balkans. More specifically to empower the next generation of junior professionals and emerging leaders from public administration and civil society organizations across the WB6 region on dialogue and culture of cooperation.
Emerging leaders often lack structured platforms to exchange ideas, develop leadership skills, and engage in intercultural dialogue. The Academy is built to close that gap.
This initiative addresses persistent challenges in the Western Balkans, including limited regional cooperation, insufficient intercultural understanding, and low engagement of young professionals in civic and policy processes. While political and economic reforms continue across the region, emerging leaders often lack structured platforms to exchange ideas, enhance leadership skills, and engage in dialogue. This gap constrains regional integration, reinforces stereotypes, and limits joint solutions to shared social, economic, and political challenges.
REGIONAL ACADEMY
Through a comprehensive program of peer learning, mentoring sessions, workshops, field experiences, and networking opportunities will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and professional networks required to act as future regional cooperation champions.
Directly contributing to the promotion of good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation; fostering democratic values, inclusion, and dialogue; strengthening people-to-people connections; and supporting long-term peace and reconciliation efforts across the Western Balkans.
Are you the next participant?
Between 25 and 40 years old
Citizen or resident of a Western Balkans region
3+ years in public administration, civil society, media, research, or policy
Proficiency in English sufficient for workshops, discussions, and written assignments
Availability for the full two-week Academy and pre-/post-programme mentorship activities
Demonstrated participation in public debates, advocacy, or policy initiatives
Motivation to contribute to a regional alumni community
Are you ready to experience?
Pre-arrival mentorship, residential learning, joint projects, and a three-month post-program phase.
7-day residency in Albania
Pre-arrival mentorship
3-month post-program phase
Joint regional projects
Are you ready to learn about?
The Academy consists combined approaches such as lectures structured around key thematic pillars, including democratic citizenship, European integration, regional cooperation, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and intercultural dialogue and understanding with facilitated discussions on regional cooperation, CSO governance, democracy, leadership including mentoring support.
Application to the 2026 cohort
Submit your application through our online form provided below on this page.
Application Deadline June 25.2026
If you have questions please address them to: info@westernbalkansfund.org