Security Transitions in the Western Balkans - From Conflict Zone to Security Community?

A core objective is to strengthen the capacity of social science research institutions in the Western Balkans and assist them in building a sustainable regional research network. Through seminars, workshops and research, the project aims to assist Western Balkans researchers to join European and global debates on issues relating to their region and its development. Furthermore, the research objective is to illuminate the on-going security transitions in the Western Balkans; the national as well as the r egional dynamics. Drawing on the strategic priorities of all states in the Western Balkans concerning regional cooperation, European integration and further democratic consolidation, this project proposes to address the transformation of the region in th e last decade, since the end of the conflicts, from a regional security perspective. The main research question this project aims to examine is how the transformation from a conflict zone towards a security community develops, the underlying drivers for c hange as well as the challenges and obstacles. This question is approached through a theoretical perspective based on regional security complex theory and security community theory. The research activities consist of four research tracks, three of which a ddress the thematic issues: security policy change, regional and national identity and effects of European enlargement and security policies, while the fourth track focuses on methodology and theory generation. The project will be implemented by a regio nal consortium of research organizations from each state in the Western Balkans region together with NUPI. Exchange of professional and research competencies will be carried out through visiting fellowships, joint workshops and seminars. Research findings will be published and disseminated in English as well in the languages of the Western Balkans partner organizations, both in electronic and printed versions, in line with the dissemination strategy.