Five program areas of the BFPE's work
Most influential projects and initiatives
Belgrade Security Forum; Dialogue for the Future; Balkan Dialogues; Belgrade Dialogues; Regional Academy for Democracy; Women of the Balkans for New Politics; Women’s Leadership Academy; Green Parliamentary Group; Annual Seminar; Changing Minds, Regions… – are just some of our most influential formats over the past two decades.
Program area:
BFPE leadership program
The need to further develop the capacities of the holders of political power in Serbia has never been greater.
In order to meet ever-increasing requests arising from the accession process to the European Union, being the dominant framework for the modernization of our society, it has become necessary to further improve and adapt political education programs.
Our intention is to offer a comprehensive program that is adapted to the actual needs and challenges met at both local and national level of government, while appreciating the experiences of our alumni and avoiding ex cathedra approach.
Program area:
Platforms for discussion of foreign policy and challenges to security
Our concern is that the whole region of the Western Balkans – or Southeast Europe – is under threat of becoming (or remaining) a periphery, weakened by numerous bilateral disputes, without any real possibility to have an influence on the ongoing global events.
In the context of new divisions, continuing economic uncertainty, and the raising popularity of populist and extreme political options we believe that the need for such dialogue, which is permanent and open for different opinions, has never been greater.
In this endeavor, BFPE brings together men and women politicians, think-tankers, activists, and those people who make, implement, interpret and criticize decisions; confronts them with the circumstances of inaction, and seeks to move them away from the “comfort zone” in order to enforce the debate.
Program area:
Climate, environment and energy policy
In order to maintain and develop the entire planet and the most important values humankind depends on, we must address challenges presented by climate change and loss of biodiversity, which are affecting sustainable development and causing persistent, widespread poverty. On the level of policy, Serbia is addressing these global issues within Chapter 27 (Environment) and Chapter 15 (Energy) of its negotiation process with the EU.
This is why BFPE became active in efforts to raise awareness and knowledge about energy efficiency, renewable sources of energy, green economy, to mobilize civic participation on these issues and to encourage much better cooperation of all actors involved in the creation and implementation of a more responsible and comprehensive energy policy.
Program area:
Western Balkans moving forward together
Together with partners, we bring together decision makers, who we call for responsible behavior; propose solutions to bilateral disputes in the wider Western Balkans and Southeast Europe; we build good neighborly relations; we help to get to know and understand the “other side” and its needs better.
Program area:
Social inclusion and local development
Discrimination lines are multiple and when it comes to decision-making, groups in one society do not necessarily need to be a minority in order to feel threatened or discriminated against. We are witnessing a situation in which citizens representing large parts of society, the majority even, face problems when trying to access decision-making processes.
We also worry about the marginalization of all things local, be it priorities for development, or state of (local) democracy and political participation, especially when placed against the context of European integration and expectations set upon the actors of local self-government.
Therefore, BFPE traditionally promotes the improvement of the position of women, Roma, youth, as well as residents of underdeveloped areas.
