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CSF 2026 Thematic Working Group on Digital Transformation, AI and Digital Sovereignty Holds Final Event

CA “Zašto ne” and the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) from Montenegro organized the regional public event Shaping Our Digital Future: From Policy Alignment to Democratic Digital Sovereignty on 9 September, as part of the Berlin Process Civil Society & Think Tank Forum (CSF) 2026.

Photo: Zašto ne

The final regional public event of the Thematic Working Group on Digital Transformation, AI and Digital Sovereignty was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, and online, bringing together representatives of institutions, civil society and international organizations, as well as experts from across the Western Balkans. The event provided an opportunity to present the draft recommendations developed through the work of the Thematic Working Group to a broader group of stakeholders and discuss their relevance and applicability across the region.

Opening remarks were delivered by Predrag Zenović, Montenegro’s Chief Negotiator with the European Union, and Bilsana Bibić from Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans. They highlighted the importance of digital transformation for the region’s European future, the need to strengthen capacities, and the importance of civil society recommendations developed through the CSF as a concrete contribution to policy and reform processes in the region.

CA “Zašto ne” and CDT presented the process and the draft recommendations developed by the Thematic Working Group. The recommendations are based on a broader understanding of digital sovereignty as the capacity of Western Balkan countries and societies to make informed choices about their digital future, protect human rights and democratic processes, develop their own institutional and human capacities, and actively participate in European digital governance. The discussion addressed the need for digital policies to be evidence-based and informed by risk and human rights impact assessments, while also highlighting the importance of strengthening digital, media and AI literacy.

The discussion also addressed the need for stronger cooperation among Western Balkan countries on digital policy and their more active participation in relevant European mechanisms. A key focus was the European Democracy Shield and the opportunities it provides in order to strengthen the region’s capacity to protect democratic processes and ensure greater accountability of online platforms.

The recommendations will be presented at the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026, taking place in Pristina from 5 to 7 October.

The Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2026 is organized by Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, in partnership with the Government of Kosovo and in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro.