BELGRADE – SERBIA

BSC2025

500+ participants / 80+ speakers
20+ panels and side sessions

17-19 November / SAVA CENTER

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October 9, 2026 BSC

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) is pleased to announce an open call for participants for the fourth edition of the BSC Young Leaders Programme, which will take place from 15 to 18 November 2026 in Belgrade, Serbia, alongside the Belgrade Security Conference, the largest regional platform for high-level dialogue on foreign and security policy.

About the Programme
The BSC Young Leaders programme creates a unique space for 30 young people from the Western Balkans to come together, reflect on shared challenges, and help build a democratic and inclusive future based on European values.
This year’s programme will include the following:
  • Networking and trust-building activities
  • Interactive sessions with experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives
  • Active participation in the Belgrade Security Conference (including priority in Q&A sessions and closed-door meetings)
  • Youth-led sessions where participants will present their own perspectives on the future of democracy and cooperation in the region
Who Can Apply?
We are looking for motivated young people who:
  • Are between 18 and 30 years old
  • Come from one of the Western Balkans
  • Have demonstrated interest in democracy, peace-building, European integration, security, or related fields
  • Are ready to actively participate in all four days of the programme!
  • The working language of the programme is English, and participants are expected to be comfortable using English.
Other Information
  • Number of participants: 30 in total
  • Costs: The organisers will fully cover accommodation, meals, and travel expenses
  • Location: Belgrade, Serbia
How to Apply?
Interested candidates should apply by 25 October 2026 by completing the application form.
Contact
For questions, please contact us at gorana.pebic@bezbednost.org.


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November 20, 2025 BSC

After 3 days, 18 panels, 2 keynote speeches, and more than 100 speakers, the Belgrade Security Conference officially closed. This year’s edition gathered 743 registered participants and hosted 566 attendees, marking the most visited BSC to date. Closing remarks were delivered by Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, President of the German Marshall Fund, and Igor Bandović, Director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.


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November 19, 2025 BSC

The panel Digital Repression and the Future of Civic Space focused on how spyware, cyberattacks, disinformation and legal loopholes are increasingly used to intimidate journalists, activists and ordinary citizens, shrinking democratic space across the region. All speakers agreed that these practices create a powerful chilling effect and that stronger safeguards, public awareness and institutional accountability are essential to protect fundamental rights.


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November 19, 2025 BSC

As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters yet another year, Europe faces the challenge of moving beyond crisis management toward a sustainable and durable peace architecture. The task is not only to end active hostilities but also to design a stable security framework that prevents renewed conflict and rebuilds trust in European security institutions.