Drawing boundaries in the Western Balkans

A people's perspective

The borders of some countries in the Western Balkans remain disputed and unresolved, posing a threat to regional peace and stability and creating an obstacle to European Intergration. This report focuses on five areas in the region where border/boundary demarcation has been problematic, with a view to informing European Union engagement.

Currently, border demarcation processes in the region take place at the national political level and do not take into account the views of local populations living in border areas. This report investigates what communities living in these areas think of the approach of local, national and international actors in managing these disputes and recommends how the authorities can act on these findings.

Based on our findings we recommend that the EU encourage the bilateral resolution of border disputes, support efforts to improve border management and promote the adoption of a people-centred approach to border demarcation in all cases, prioritising areas at higher risk of violent conflict.

Click here to read the full report or the policy brief

This research is part of the EU funded People's Peacemaking Perspectives project.

“This process takes place only between Zagreb and Sarajevo, as if it does not concern us, the people living in this area.”

PPP discussion group participant, Bosnia and Herzegovina