The European Fund for the Balkans supported the fifth in a series regional conference on EU integration, Move. Link. Engage. This year's edition"Fundamentals Wanted" organized by the Belgrade Open School was to promote and encourage the regional approach to resolving shared problems and foster cooperation among citizens and civil society organization and media by presenting the different aspects of the fundamentals necessary for EU integration process and accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. Move. Link. Engage. conference was organized for the 5th time in a row. Gathering amazing experts in different areas, high representatives from domestic, regional and the EU institutions and organizations, local champions of change and decision-makers in civil, public and business sector. Tackling the most pressing issue each year within the European accession process, the conference covers a variety of topics that correspond with BOS strategic areas. The Senior Programme Manager of the Fund, Igor Bandovic was invited to moderate the session "Berlin Process: What's Next for the Western Blakans", and BiEPAG experts Jovana Marovic, Zoran Nechev, Donika Emini and Srdjan Cvijic contributed as speakers to the parallel sessions focused on specific topics like "Space for Civic Engagement in the Eurpean Integration Process: Where do We Go from Here", "On the road to the EU: Regional Cooperation as Fundamental", "Strenghtening Accountability on the Western Balkan Region" The working part of the conference was divided in two days in panel and parallel sessions dealing with specific, carefully chosen topics relevant for European integration process of all accession countries. A special focus was given to the discussion on the much needed space for civil society in exercising their right to be involved and contribute to European integration process. Continuing, the focus was shifted to presenting the results of "Civil Society as a Force for a Change in the Serbia's EU Accession Process– CS4EU" Programme and the role and results partners’ organisations achieved during the last three years, as agents of change. Also, within the format of parallel sessions, there were discussions dedicated to the topics dealing with regional cooperation as required fundamental for EU Accession of the Western Balkan region, the future of the Berlin process, improving policies towards future skills development, accountability and good governance together with important questions that are dealing with crucial fundamentals for quality of life of citizens – environmental protection.
