“The world is reaching the tipping point beyond which climate change may become irreversible. If this happens, we risk denying present and future generations the right to a healthy and sustainable planet – the whole of humanity stands to lose.”
Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of UN
Helvetas Eastern Europe has been instrumental in implementing numerous development projects in the Western Balkans for over two decades. Our approach is firmly centered around people, valuing the knowledge each individual contributes. We drive systemic change by leveraging this collective knowledge through projects, initiatives, partnerships, and networks. Our goal is to be recognized as a credible knowledge broker, reliable development partner, and effective implementer of projects and initiatives.
Advocacy is a key aspect of all our interventions, including those addressing social inclusion, sustainability, good governance, and creating new perspectives. The Regional Advocacy Network, established in 2018, is a product of the knowledge and experience we have accumulated over the years.
This network brings together like-minded individuals from diverse sectors, such as the private sector, national and local governments, academia, civil society, educators, and interest groups. Through regular virtual and in-person exchanges, participants discuss successful solutions applied by various Helvetas projects and partners. The network fosters consistent knowledge sharing, allowing participants to learn from best practices and tackle challenges specific to their country and the broader region.
Join Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network and become an integral part of our transformative journey in the Western Balkans. As a member, you will become part of a passionate and dedicated community focused on promoting advocacy and effective policymaking. Engage with like-minded individuals from diverse sectors, including the private sector, governments, academia, civil society, educators, and interest groups.
Through regular exchanges, you will have the opportunity to explore successful solutions implemented in Helvetas projects, benefitting from best practices and addressing region-specific challenges. Together, we can create lasting change and foster sustainable development in the Western Balkans. Join us now and be a driving force for positive impact. Advocacy works!
Development Policy Coordinator
Bernd Steimann, PhD
bernd.steimann@helvetas.org
Regional Advisor for the Western Balkans at Helvetas and Strategic Advisor
Valbona Karakaçi, PhD
valbona.karakaci@helvetas.org
In a world grappling with conflicts and divisions, the pursuit of lasting peace has never been more crucial. Recently, the Helvetas Eastern Europe Regional Advocacy Network had the privilege of participating in the thought-provoking International Cooperation Forum for Peace held in Basel, Switzerland. This global gathering served as a powerful catalyst, igniting robust dialogue, fostering connections, and […]
The migration phenomenon in the Western Balkans has shown consistent evolution since the 1990s. Initially driven by displacement and political factors, it has transitioned towards irregular, low- to medium-skilled labor migration, encompassing various forms such as regular family reunification, student mobility, and more recently, high and medium-skilled labor migration. Over the past decades, waves of […]
On November 28th, 2023 Helvetas hosted a global ShareWeek focused on innovation and digitalization. During the event, the Regional Advocacy Network shared the Prototype of the #DevPolHack web platform, which stands for the 2022 Helvetas Innovation Award. Over 30 colleagues from around the world provided feedback on #DevPolHack, praising the collaborative approach to problem-solving and […]
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. It affects livelihoods, governance, health, and social economic development and poses a risk to the achievement of sustainable development goals and. To address this challenge effectively, mainstreaming climate change has become a necessity. Mainstreaming climate change refers to the integration of climate considerations, climate adaptation, […]
Uniting for Sustainable Infrastructure, Biodiversity Protection, and Effective Governance Unlocking the Future: Western Balkans Unite for Smart Cities The Western Balkans, a region with a GDP that accounts for less than 1% of the European Union’s GDP, stands at a crucial crossroads in its integration and sustainable development journey. The Civil Society Forum of the […]
The inaugural Local Self-Governments Forum “Unlocking the Future: Innovate, Eco-vate, Elevate – Western Balkans Unite for Smart Cities,” held on October 12, 2023 in Tirana, marked a significant step in advancing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans at the local level. This forum, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in collaboration with the […]
Join us on our Regional Advocacy Network Blog and be part of the movement for a brighter future. Together, let's amplify our voices, make a difference, and create a world that reflects our shared values of compassion, justice, and equality. Visit our blog today and embark on an exciting journey of advocacy and transformation!
Whether you're an advocate, community leader, policymaker, or simply someone passionate about making a difference, our webinars offer a unique learning opportunity to deepen your understanding of regional advocacy and expand your toolkit for driving positive change. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities and promote inclusive and sustainable development throughout our regions.
At Helvetas, we are committed to facilitating systemic change by leveraging knowledge through our projects, initiatives, partnerships, and networks. As knowledge brokers, we actively contribute to the regional discourse on critical and future-oriented development topics. Our actions aim to create an environment that supports and encourages meaningful transformations in how actors operate within the system.
Our collaborators bring diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources to the table, enabling us to build strong partnerships and amplify our collective voice. Through their unwavering commitment to regional advocacy, we are able to pool our knowledge, networks, and experiences, forging dynamic collaborations that drive meaningful action and inspire transformative solutions.
A worldwide network of development experts, policy makers, innovation enthusiasts, educators and connectors, all committed to one mission: using co-creation and hacking to make this world a better place for all.
Advocacy is crucial!
The Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network harnesses collective intelligence, serving as a pivotal knowledge hub for driving advocacy and policy change.
