Exchange with the Center for Balkan Cooperation – LOJA at the IDM
In today’s event, the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) presented its evolving mission and engaged in an exchange with representatives of the Center for Balkan Cooperation – LOJA from Tetovo and educators from the Western Balkan 6. The discussion centred on how regional cooperation and education can support the EU integration of the Western Balkans, as well as the significance of multiculturalism in the wider Danube Region.
IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer outlined the Institute’s transformation from supporting CEE accession in the early 2000s to becoming a think tank with a strong focus on the EU’s enlargement regions, including the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova. Special emphasis was placed on the IDM’s 5 Ps, showcasing how the Institute promotes EU enlargement through policy expertise, its platform, publications, projects, and public events.
The dialogue with LOJA highlighted concrete opportunities for collaboration: traineeships for students from the WB6, participation in IDM’s publication formats, and engagement in initiatives such as the Danubius Young Scientist Award, the Speak Up programme for young leaders, and the DRC Summer School, which was presented as a potential platform for future academic exchange.
The event also featured contributions from IDM research associates. Peter Techet presented on multiculturalism in the Danube Region and the Western Balkans, outlining the region’s long multiethnic history and current challenges—from parallel structures in North Macedonia to ethnically entrenched politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sophia Beiter presented her latest research on reforming the EU enlargement process, offering insights into how institutional models and political frameworks could be adapted to better support candidate countries.
These thematic inputs closely align with LOJA’s mission of strengthening multicultural education, fostering regional cooperation, and expanding opportunities for students and educators across the WB6.
– William Einem
