Speakers

• Dr. Marika Djolai, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Peleponese, Member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) 
• Dr. Silvana Mojsovska, Professor, Institute of Economics, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” – Skopje 

     Publication: “Stocktaking Study: 10 Years of the Berlin Process”

• Marie-Aimée Salopiata, Project Manager and Consultant at Berlin Economics 

     Publication: “10 Years of the Berlin Process - Economic Development in the Western Balkans since 2014”

• Marie Jelenka Kirchner, PhD candidate at the University of Graz 

     Publication: “Missing Gender Perspectives in the Berlin Process”

Moderation

• Dr. Christian Hagemann, Executive Director, Southeast Europe Association  
• Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Germany

Topic

Ten years ago, in 2014, the Berlin Process was launched as a platform for fostering cooperation between the Western Balkans, the EU, and the host countries of the Berlin Process. On this anniversary, it is important to reflect on the achievements to date and to consider the steps needed to support and accelerate cooperation and integration in the Western Balkans.

During the event, we will discuss with the authors of three studies which take stock of the Berlin Process 10th anniversary. First, the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum 2024 sponsored a comprehensive study to map the initiatives and outputs of the Berlin Process, written by Dr. Marika Djolai and Dr. Silvana Mojsovska. The study was featured in a panel discussion with key stakeholders and later handed to leaders including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Ursula von der Leyen at the Berlin Process Summit.

Second, the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation’s recent report underlines the ongoing challenges surrounding gender equality in the region and the importance of bringing these issues into the Berlin Process, which was highlighted this year at the first-ever Berlin Process Gender Equality Forum. 

Third, the latest analysis by Berlin Economics on economic development in the Western Balkans examines key factors which have been influenced by the Berlin Process over the past decade and was a basis for at this year’s Berlin Process Economy Ministerial and Business Forum.

The following questions will guide our discussion: What are the major milestones and successes of the Berlin Process? How has the Berlin Process evolved in the past decade? What challenges does the Berlin Process face, and how could they be addressed? What role could the Berlin Process play in the next few years?