When the structure of society is examined, it is generally mentioned that there are three different areas, namely political, economic, and civil organizations. The most crucial area that shapes, directs, and influences society in many ways is seen as NGOs. Moreover, it is also observed that society affects NGOs and that the topics discussed and activities carried out by each society vary according to their internal dynamics. Therefore, the themes that local and regional NGOs focus on offer various perspectives on the structure of their society. In this article, the themes focused on by the non-governmental organizations in the Balkan region will be examined, and the grouping technique will be used. Consequently, it is aimed to present a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the social structures in the Balkans.
Civil Society Organizations are non-governmental/non-state organizations that put volunteering at the centre, do not aim to acquire an economic interest or to seize political power, and do not intend a hostile movement (Çayırlı, 2015). In the contemporary world, rapid technological, economic, political, cultural, and social changes influence the current situations, prevailing rules, and even institutions of societies. Considering this context, it is not surprising that the importance of non-governmental organizations is gradually increasing. Balkan NGOs have always been an accurate mirror of societal changes and have tried to conserve activities in favour of society. Many social solidarity organizations have existed in the region since the Ottoman period. These foundations maintained their activities during and after the Balkan wars and sustained activities that would support society and solve the problems during the Serbian-Croat-Slovene Kingdom. For instance, a report submitted to the Education-Foundation Board of this period in 1930 mentions the existence of 684 Muslim foundations (Çayırlı, 2015). Even though these foundations lost their field of activity after World War II, NGOs are deep-rooted and functional organizations that still preserve their influence on the Balkan region.
In this article, the countries mentioned as the “Balkans” are the Western Balkan countries with a Muslim majority population and include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. As can be understood from the brief history of the Balkans, it can be observed that the Balkan is a region where political instability, social polarization, and economic crises have hit intensely. Under Ottoman rule from the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the Balkans lost their Turkish population due to various reasons, such as the collapse of the empire and the weakening of the political centre. While the Turkish population here migrated to Anatolia at the end of the 19th century, it is impossible to talk about the Turkish population that has vanished from the region. Turks still persist in many countries such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Since Turkishness is seen as equivalent to Islam and is not mentioned separately from each other in the Balkans, religious and ethnic identities are intertwined in the Balkans. People from many different religions and ethnic identities live together here. As a result of diversity, endeavours to preserve and maintain national and religious values are also reasonably remarkable. The fact that the Turkish communities here are far from their “motherland,” Turkey, makes them more prone to this kind of preservation. Particularly after 1945, the restriction of many rights of Turks with the activeness of socialism caused Turks to be more attached to their national identities and cultural values (Çayırlı, 2015). Accordingly, NGOs have the most prominent role in social activities and are the flag bearers of the efforts to preserve values.
Agenda of NGOs
In the research conducted for this article, roughly 40 NGOs currently operating in the Balkans were examined, and activities of these NGOs, which were carried out during last four years, were reviewed, and the subject headings were noted. These noted topics were grouped, and the main titles focused on the Balkans were determined. In this context, it is possible to say that NGOs in the Balkans focus on issues such as religious and national values, EU Integration, corruption, and rights and justice.
The title of religious and national values is an area where NGOs organized around Islamic values in the Balkans frequently perform. It can be observed that many Balkan countries, mainly Serbia, North Macedonia, and Croatia, focus on preserving Islamic values. In this context, in addition to the sermons they publish, Mufti visits, mosque tours with groups, and festivities as mass events stand out. Moreover, it has been observed that activities for young people are also at the forefront. The Youth Network Movement, which institutions give importance to in Croatia and Serbia, aspire to the identity building of Muslim youth living in the Balkans. It intends to raise young communities and protect their values through monthly meetings and events.
As mentioned in the introduction, all these activities aim to preserve identity values. After the death of Yugoslavia’s charismatic leader Josip Broz Tito (1892-1980), nationalist movements acquired momentum in the Balkans (Canveren, 2020). This momentum has induced the Balkans that has perpetually become the homeland of political crises since the 90s, and the Balkan countries have encountered a bloody disintegration process (Canveren, 2020). Subsequently, as every nation in the region has started to act with the urge to protect its values, nation-state building processes have begun here. In this context, the principal idea is that the vital elements for constructing a nation are language, religion, customs, and traditions (Çayırlı, 2015). If a nation desires to exist, it has to speak its language competently, be aware of its religion, culture, customs, and traditions most proficiently and keep them alive. On that account, the Balkan nations, especially the Turks, who started with this endeavour in the 1990s, carry out various activities for this purpose and destine to raise the younger generations according to this purpose.
Another prominent point is EU integration, which is touched upon in almost all NGOs of Balkan countries without exception. For that point, many institutions have a separate title on their existing websites and EU Integration hyperlink websites that they have recently opened.[1] In addition, it is noteworthy that activities to apprise the public are operated invariably. NGOs, which have the power to shape society, uphold the EU rules and principles with great perseverance. In this regard, many publications are published, and it is tried to raise society’s awareness through various panels and conferences.
Even though the Balkans is geographically a part of Europe, it has a very different cultural structure. This situation has always been considered a predicament for Europe that has made the Balkans alien. Furthermore, the crises experienced by the Balkans were not welcomed by Europe throughout history, and therefore, according to Europe, the Balkans are regarded as problematic, spoiled, and undesirable stepchildren (Erkmen, 2019). Insomuch that “Balkanization” went down in history as a political term and was used to express instability, chaos, and conflict (Erkmen, 2019). When it comes to the beginning of February 2018, the European Union pronounced that a new strategy would be developed in the Balkans. A framework has been presented for integrating Balkan countries (scilicet Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia) into the EU (Preljević and Mustafić, 2019). In this regard, the authorities in the Balkans were asked to make the environment “well-known conditions for membership” and to promote the establishment of a common economic space for economic development in the Balkans (Preljević and Mustafić, 2019). The strategy promotes six initiatives on the rule of law, security and migration, socio-economic development, transportation, and energy connectivity, digital agenda, reconciliation, and good neighbourly relations and is considered a geostrategic plan to invest in a robust and stable structure (Preljević and Mustafić, 2019). All these incentives forced the Balkan states to develop various initiatives. For instance, The Agenda for European Reforms (Agjenda për Reforma Evropiane-ARE) developed in Kosovo is a step forward in this regard. This platform, prepared considering EU conditions, monitors the applicability of the requirements in the region and supports it with reliable data.
Another important initiative is combating corruption, one of the most considered and focused NGO subjects. When the international literature in the Balkans is reviewed, it is discerned that the issues related to organized crime and poor governance, public and business perceptions of bribery and corruption, and its influence on the jurisdiction are emphasized (Canveren, 2020). The corruption perception index (Graph 2) published by Transparency International depicts corruption as a growing problem.
Combating corruption, one of the chronic problems of the region, is one of the conditions of full membership for the countries of the region that are candidates for the European Union (Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) or potential candidates (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo) as well as playing an active role in nation-state building (Canveren, 2020). When the level of harmonization of the Western Balkan countries with the EU acquis in combating corruption is compared, while Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are at an early stage, other countries in the region are partially prepared. Hence, this significant step in EU integration is on the agenda of many NGOs and policymakers. The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative, established in Bosnia and Herzegovina only for the anti-corruption, is the pioneer of these steps with the workshops, symposiums, and articles and analyses published in this context.
If considered a general title, justice is one of the other subjects on the agenda of NGOs in the Balkans. This title primarily covers activities based on minority rights and the right to education. As the Balkans is geography that comprises many different religions and nationalities, minority rights should be brought to the agenda. Various NGOs represent minority oppressed or persecuted groups in society, and their rights are sought. Many NGOs have opened units for this.
On the other hand, it can be argued that there are activities that institutions carry out depending on the internal dynamics of the country. Considering the internal dynamics of the countries, NGOs encompass unique concerns on each country’s agenda. As a case in point, various initiatives taken by Kosovo of its tension with Serbia are observed, and this issue is one of the main issues of NGOs in Kosovo.
Conclusion
NGOs are one of the leading elements that have directed, mobilized, and aided the society in the Balkan region since Ottoman rule. The purpose of this article is to review the subjects focused by NGOs that play an active role in Balkans and to provide a perspective on Balkan society. In line with this review, the matters on the agenda of NGOs in the Balkans focus on three main topics: i) religious and national values, ii) EU integration, and iii) corruption, rights, and justice. The reason why the religious and national values are so preeminent is the traumas from the past of the Balkans. Thus, the idea of claiming and defending the identity is at the forefront. When it comes to EU integration, it is seen that each NGO strives to make the country eligible for EU standards through various activities. Corruption, another vehemently debated theme, is one of the tough issues that EU officials have prioritized in the Balkans. Consequently, every NGO’s activities related to this issue are encountered. As a result, it is clear that activities are carried out in parallel with the internal and external dynamics of the society in the Balkans.
Reference
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Canveren, Ö. (2020). Birleşmiş Milletler Yolsuzlukla Mücadele Sözleşmesinin Sınırları: Batı Balkan Ülkelerinde Yolsuzlukla Mücadele Politikalarının Karşılaştırmalı Analizi. Avrasya Etüdleri, 57(1), 89-119.
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Preljević, H., & Mustafić, A. (2019). Strategy for the Western Balkans and EU integration puzzle. Retrieved from https://bsc.ius.edu.ba/content/strategy-western-balkans-and-eu-integration-puzzle
[1] See these websites:
https://europa.com.al/, https://www.cedem.me/en/euro-atlantic-integration/
