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.

About the Program

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:

• Networking and trust-building activities
• Guided visits and critical reflections on remembrance and reconciliation
• 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 program!
• The working language of the program is English and participants are expected to be comfortable using English.

Important: Participants of BSC Young Leaders 2023 and 2024 are not eligible to apply.

Other Information

• Number of participants: 30 in total (20 selected through this open call + 10 alumni from previous BSC Young Leaders editions and related BCSP programs
• Costs: Accommodation, meals, and travel expenses will be fully covered by the organisers.
• Dates: 16–19 November 2025
• Location: Belgrade, Serbia

How to Apply?

Interested candidates should apply by 15 October 2025 by filling out the application form.

Special Opportunity

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.

Contact

For questions, please contact us at gorana.pebic@bezbednost.org

The post Open Call for Participants – BSC Young Leaders 2025 appeared first on BELGRADE SECURITY CONFERENCE 2024.

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.

About BSC

The BSC has become the leading regional platform for dialogue on foreign and security policy in the Western Balkans. Held by-invitation-only and on a not-for-profit basis, the conference brings together more than 500 influential participants, including regional and international officials, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, researchers, journalists, civil society representatives, activists, and young professionals. It offers a unique opportunity for bold ideas, inclusive debate, and strategic thinking on the most pressing issues facing Europe and the region.

Call For Proposals

We invite proposals for side sessions that align with the overarching themes of this year’s BSC. This call is only for organisations from the Western Balkan region, with the aim to have country-specific discussions that address important issues in your respective countries, related to the BSC’s overarching topics, which include:

• Regional security dynamics
• Foreign policy and the role of external actors
• State capture and the rule of law
• The role of civil society amid ongoing rise of authoritarianism
• European integration

To ensure interactive and dynamic exchange, this year’s side sessions should be organised in the form of a roundtable discussion or a fishbowl discussion. Both formats are designed to encourage open dialogue, active participation, and meaningful engagement between panelists and the audience.

All costs associated with the organisation of a selected side session (including logistic arrangements, travel, and accommodation for speakers) will be covered by the BSC. Selected session will take place on the third day of the conference, 19 November 2025.

Why Apply

Hosting a side session offers organisations from the region the opportunity to:

• Showcase their expertise and visibility on a prominent regional platform
• Influence key discussions among international policymakers and experts
• Engage with high-level professionals in foreign and security policy, media, and fellow think tanks

Eligibility

This call is open to civil society organisations and think tanks from the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Partnerships with organisations from outside the region are welcome, but the lead applicant must be from the Western Balkans.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals must be submitted via the online submission form and should include:

1. Session Title

A clear and engaging title that reflects the core theme of the discussion.

2. Session Description (max. 300 words)

A concise summary of the key issues to be explored, relevance to the country’s security or foreign policy context, and expected insights.

3. Participants

A list of proposed speakers and a moderator, including names, institutional affiliations, and short biographies. The proposed format should include 3 to 4 discussants and a moderator, with expected audience involvement as per the discussion format. Please note that the final list of speakers and the exact focus of the session will be agreed upon with the BSC team, which retains the right to propose speakers for the selected panels.

4. Objectives and intended outcomes

A brief explanation of the session’s goals and how it contributes to the overall conference themes.

Submission Guidelines

Deadline for submission: 15 August 2025

Event date: 19 November 2025 (only in-person participation is accepted)

Submit your proposal: Use the online application form to submit your proposal.

Selection Criteria

• The proposed topic’s relevance to current foreign and security policy issues in your country
• Alignment with the BSC overarching themes
• Quality and expertise of the proposed speakers, with attention to diversity and gender balance
• Original, innovative and thought-provoking approach to the proposed topic
• Country specificity (side session should focus on domestic challenges in your respective country)
• Feasibility (availability of proposed speakers and logistical preparedness)

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to working together to ensure a dynamic and thought-provoking Belgrade Security Conference 2025.

For any questions or technical issues regarding the submission process, please contact us at info@belgradesecurityconference.org.

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