Balkans turn to Asian workers in response to shrinking workforces

For three decades, the Balkans exported workers. Now countries across the region are increasingly importing them from Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia. Albania signed labour agreements with Vietnam and Indonesia within 24 …

Green Balkans Proposes Bearded Vulture as Eurovision 2027 Symbol, Hoping It Will Enhance Species' Protection

The Green Balkans environment protection organization has proposed the bearded vulture as a symbol of Bulgaria for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, hoping that it will enhance the protection of the species. The organization cites conservation efforts …

‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’

Under the auspices of the Austria-Hungary-Serbia agreement, migrants are reportedly sent back very quickly, with the process taking place in less than 48 hours, the NGO KlikAktiv told BIRN. This raises concerns among human rights organisations about …

Deadly storms batter Germany as Balkans fight wildfires

Albania leads Western Balkans in EU Growth Plan funding

Albania has received the most funding so far from the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. By May 2026, Albania had received €212 million, followed by Serbia with €168 million and North Macedonia with €141 million. Montenegro had received …

Serbia: RSF raises alarm about growing number of exiled journalists, unparalleled in EU-Balkans zone

The most recent departure is that of Aleksandar Radić, a freelance journalist specialising in military affairs and among the first to state publicly – in line with other media reports – that a sonic weapon had probably been used against the participants at …

Deadly storms batter Germany as Balkans fight wildfires

Germany was bracing for more severe storms after wild weather caused widespread damage. Photo: AP PHOTO A woman has died and at least two other people were injured as severe storms caused extensive damage across parts of Germany.  Further southeast, in …

Sarajevo breaks tourism records this summer: A message of togetherness from the heart of the Balkans through music and ...

Baku, August 20, AZERTAC Sarajevo is experiencing a tourism boom, with a record influx of visitors from around the world, according to FENA. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is enjoying a summer filled with major concerts, film and entertainment …

When it comes to Western Balkans and the rule of law, best should not be the enemy of good

Placing too much emphasis on rule of law issues risks losing sight of the bigger geopolitical game that is unfolding across Southeastern Europe, writes Rumi Thompson. Rumi Thompson is a researcher at WB30, an advocacy group for the admission of all Western …

The best places to visit in the Balkans in 2026, ranked

Sarajevo is widely considered the single destination that most justifies a Balkans trip on its own, a city where Ottoman-era Baščaršija's thick Bosnian coffee culture sits blocks from Austro-Hungarian facades, mosque courtyards, synagogue history, and …