ASTRA’s Director, Marija Anđelković, took part as a member of the gender equality advocacy group of the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation during the EU Advocacy Week held in Brussels from 23 to 26 March 2026. During this intensive week, representatives of women’s organisations from the Western Balkans held a series of meetings with key EU institutional actors, with a particular focus on the accession process, the rule of law, and the position of civil society.
As part of the official programme, meetings were held with representatives of the European Commission (DG ENEST and DG JUST), the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Parliament, as well as representatives of EU Member States. A particularly important meeting was held with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, during which civil society organisations from the region directly raised key challenges in the EU accession process.
Special attention was given to the increasingly shrinking space for civil society organisations, the lack of systemic support for organisations providing direct assistance to victims, as well as serious challenges in combating human trafficking.
In discussions with EU institutions, it was emphasised that, despite formal progress in the legislative framework, the implementation of key reforms in Serbia is either lacking or remains merely declarative. Particular concern was raised regarding the absence of investigations in cases of labour exploitation, the continuous emergence of new cases, and the worrying trend of redirecting funds intended for reforms to other purposes. The crucial role of women’s organisations in the EU integration process was also highlighted, as well as the need for their stable and direct funding. It was further stressed that without the active participation of organisations working with the most vulnerable groups, sustainable and meaningful reforms cannot be achieved.
The Advocacy Week in Brussels once again confirmed the importance of direct dialogue between EU institutions and civil society organisations from the region, while also raising key questions about the extent to which the voices of organisations working on the ground are truly reflected in EU policies towards Serbia.
ASTRA will continue to actively engage in these processes, advocating for policies that ensure real protection of the rights of women, children, and all victims of exploitation, as well as substantive—not merely formal—reforms within the EU integration process.
Foto: Unspalsh/Alexey Larionov