Grassroots Green Politics Flourishes in the Western Balkans, Born Amid City's Concrete Jungle
The green movements in the Western Balkans, rooted in municipalism and eco-social focus, are poised to revitalise Europe's Greens. These grassroots movements, identified as potential partners by the European Green Party (EGP), have shown a commitment to building a genuine movement, despite some actors being criticised for insincerity and a preference for shortcuts [1].
The authentic green forces in the region find the EU's hypocrisy regarding rule of law and transparency in the enlargement process unacceptable, especially when it comes to strategic interests linked to extraction [2]. However, cooperation between green movements in the Western Balkans and the international green movement, including the EGP and EU national parliaments, has existed at various levels [3].
The transitions from activism to institutional politics involve a shift from ecological struggle to ideological articulation. This evolution is evident in movements like the Ecological Uprising in Serbia, which began around 2021, mobilising thousands in protests against environmentally harmful projects such as small hydroelectric plants and the proposed jadarite mining by Rio Tinto [4].
This activism has evolved beyond environmental issues, challenging political regimes and demanding systemic change. The movement's emphasis on democratic accountability and civic engagement has infused the European Greens’ agenda with a stronger emphasis on these issues [4].
Key contributions of these movements include linking ecology with democracy and governance, demonstrating the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and political corruption or authoritarianism [4]. Additionally, the movements' grassroots and youth-led mobilizations have shown innovative, inclusive approaches to activism that the European Greens can draw lessons from when mobilising support across diverse populations [5].
However, these movements face significant challenges. Authoritarian resistance and repression, including intimidation, surveillance, and arrests, stifle open political participation and slow progress [5]. The Western Balkans’ growing role as a supplier of strategic minerals for the EU’s green transition, such as Serbia’s lithium, creates a tension where economic gains occur alongside environmental harm and democratic backsliding, complicating the movement’s demands and alliances [2].
Furthermore, institutional inertia and fragmentation remain ongoing challenges. While there is progress on green policy frameworks at regional and EU integration levels, turning these strategies into cohesive, action-oriented policies remains an ongoing challenge [3].
In summary, green movements in the Western Balkans have catalysed a renewal of the European Greens by intertwining ecological aims with democratic renewal, but face significant hurdles from political repression, complex economic interests, and the gap between strategy and implementation [1][2][3][5].
References: [1] Horvat, V. (2022). Here, at Last: Pathways of Green Politics in the Western Balkans. [2] European Commission (2021). Communication on a comprehensive strategy for the Western Balkans. [3] European Investment Bank (2020). Green finance in the Western Balkans. [4] BBC News (2021). Serbia's Ecological Uprising: The Green Movement Taking on the Authorities. [5] Euractiv (2021). Serbia's green protests: A new wave of activism in the Western Balkans.
- The interconnected environmental-science and political issues in the Western Balkans, as demonstrated by the green movements, suggest a need for a more robust general-news coverage and perhaps even a shift in the EU's environmental-science policies for the region.
- As the Western Balkans' green movements continue to strive for systemic change and democratic accountability, they offer valuable lessons in innovative activism strategies to the international community, particularly the political realm of science and environmental-science.
