We are thrilled to unveil the Thematic Agenda for the BSC 2025!
The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy’s flagship annual event, Belgrade Security Conference (BSC): “Pathways to Freedom” will take place on 17–19 November 2025 at the Sava Center in Belgrade, Serbia.
The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) is pleased to announce the open call for participants for the third edition of the BSC Young Leaders Program, which will take place from 16 to 19 November 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia, alongside the Belgrade Security Conference – the largest regional platform for high-level dialogue on foreign and security policy.
The BSC Young Leaders program creates a unique space for 30 young people from the Western Balkans – to come together, reflect on shared challenges, and contribute to building a democratic and inclusive future based on European values.
This year’s program, titled “Clearing the Pathways to Freedom”, will include:
We are looking for motivated young people who:
Important: Participants of BSC Young Leaders 2023 and 2024 are not eligible to apply.
Interested candidates should apply by 15 October 2025 by filling out the application form.
Our long-standing partners in the BSC Young Leaders program implementation– the International Institute for Peace (IIP) – together with BCSP will reward three participants of BSC Young Leaders 2025 with the opportunity to attend the conference organised by IIP in Vienna, on 2–3 December 2025. The conference, titled 30 Years After Dayton, will focus on the legacy of the Dayton Peace Agreement and its implications for the present and future of the Western Balkans.
To be considered, you will need to submit an essay by October 20. The three best essays will be selected, and the winners will be announced during the BSC Young Leaders program in Belgrade. For more details and to access the application, please see the link below.
https://form.jotform.com/252662051973055
Please note: Submitting an essay for the Vienna opportunity is optional and not required for participation in BSC Young Leaders 2025. However, to be eligible for the Vienna competition, you must first apply and be selected for BSC Young Leaders 2025.
For questions, please contact us at gorana.pebic@bezbednost.org
The Belgrade Security Conference (BSC) is pleased to invite civil society organisations and think tanks from the Western Balkans to submit proposals for side sessions to be held as part of this year’s conference, taking place from 17 to 19 November 2025 at the Sava Centre in Belgrade, Serbia.
“Sweden is a strong and long-term supporter of EU enlargement. This could be the beginning of the end of the negotiations for Montenegro,” stated Jessica Rosencrantz, the Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden, at the fourth in a series of BSC Leaders Meetings held in Podgorica on 12th March 2025.
In partnership with the Balkan Center for Constructive Policies – Solution (North Macedonia) and the Embassy of Sweden, the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) is hosting the fourth edition of the BSC Leaders Meetings event that will take place on 12 March 2025 in Podgorica, Montenegro.
Mr. Bandović started his closing speech by taking a moment to reflect on what was achieved over the past three days. He stressed that this was a space where challenging conversations and important dialogues were held, on important topics of great importance for security.
The Ambassador reflected on the European Union enlargement as thus far being too slow and too long, and without enough results, which led to decreasing enthusiasm for the accession process. However, he highlighted that there is a new political momentum, with a clear window of opportunity for Western Balkans states to join. Enlargement has a geostrategic imperative now, and it is prioritised by the new European Commission, promising that there is a clear decision to complete the EU through the process.
The final panel of the conference analysed the effects of the European Union’s Growth Plan on the accession process of the Western Balkans region. The panellists agreed that it is a good tool for economic integration, which is a key element of the process, especially as the region lags a lot behind Europe in this aspect. However, it must not be decoupled from fundamental values.
The panel reached a disheartening agreement, which is that the right to protest is being threatened around the world, especially in the region. They spoke of the further deterioration of civic rights, and the intimidation of activists which we are witnessing in the region.
