Solidarity in Action is a new initiative by the Aspen Institute Germany, organised in cooperation with the Aspen Strategy Group, the Aspen Institute Romania, and the Aspen Institute Italia.
The Western Balkans has long been a focal point of EU-U.S. collaboration. Yet, as the relationship between these two actors becomes increasingly strained, transatlantic cooperation in the region faces unprecedented challenges. These disruptions threaten to undermine efforts to promote democracy, peace, and stability in the Western Balkans, creating opportunities for malign actors to expand their influence and exploit divisions.
In response to these developments, Solidarity in Action seeks to establish a transatlantic platform that empowers young civil society leaders to engage in open dialogue, examine regional challenges, and co-create actionable policy solutions.
Project Program
Running from June 2025 to January 2026, the project will bring together 20 young civil society leaders (ages 25-35) from the Western Balkans (12 participants), the United States (5), Germany (1), Italy (1) and Romania (1). Through a series of virtual workshops and an in-person study trip to Albania or North Macedonia, participants will engage in open, inclusive dialogue to explore challenges to transatlantic cooperation in the Western Balkans as well as current threats to peace, democracy, and stability in the region. These moderated discussions will serve as the basis for the joint development of consensus-based policy recommendations, which will then be distributed to decision-makers in the Western Balkans, the US and the EU.
In line with Aspen’s mission of bridging differences and reaching solutions through active dialogue, these exchanges will openly address disagreements and tensions, focusing on reaching common accord in order to produce a consensual policy solutions paper.
All costs for participation and travel will be covered by the project.
Why should you apply?
Participants will get the opportunity to play an active role in strengthening transatlantic cooperation and fostering democracy, stability, and peace in the region. They will gain unique insights in the process of drafting policy recommendations as well as the unique dynamics of transatlantic cooperation in the Western Balkans region. Participants will leave the program not just as alumni but as active agents of peace and democracy, ready to apply their knowledge in their respective countries and beyond. Beyond the scope of this project, alumni of the project will have the opportunity to create long-lasting ties with a diverse and international group of peers and develop new connections through the Aspen Institutes’ extensive alumni networks.
Eligibility
We are looking for twelve motivated young civil society leaders from the Western Balkans. Applicants for this project must:
- Be between 25 and 35 years old.
- Be from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia.
- Possess strong communication skills and be willing to participate in the development and publication of consensus-based policy recommendations.
- Have a proven track record in engaging with civil society in the United States, the EU or the Western Balkans.
- Have interest in one or more of the following topics:
- Challenges to security, peace, and democracy in the Western Balkans (WB)
- Transatlantic cooperation in the WB
- EU action in the WB
- U.S. action in the WB
- Be able to actively participate in all online workshops and the in-person study trip (see dates below).
- Be proficient in English.
Key dates (tentative):
- Project run: June 2025 to January 2026
- Application deadline: June 22
- Study trip: September 30 to October 4
- Online workshops
- Workshop 1: September 2
- Workshop 2: September 16
- Workshop 3: October 14
- Workshop 4: November 4
- Workshop 5: November 20
- Note: the workshops will take place in the afternoon, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CET).
Application Process
Interested applicants are asked to apply via this link by June 22, 2025. Promising applicants will be asked to participate in a short interview.
Along with applicants’ availability, interest, and suitability, the final cohort will be selected to ensure age and gender balance as well as sectorial and geographic diversity.
This project is funded by the Aspen Institute Global Fund.
