*Copyright: © European Union 2026 - Source: European Parliament (EP)*

The event, held on 23–24 June 2026, was organised by the European Parliament's Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), within its Young Political Leaders Programme, in cooperation with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). It brought together 35 young parliamentarians and civil society representatives from across the Western Balkans to strengthen dialogue, democratic participation and regional cooperation in the context of EU enlargement.

Bojan Kordalov, Director of Policy and Communication at the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels), delivered opening remarks at the event on 23 June 2026. Speaking as Facilitation Team Leader, he highlighted the importance of dialogue, cooperation and meaningful youth participation in strengthening democratic societies and supporting the European integration of the Western Balkans.

The event programme also featured contributions from Members of the European Parliament, including Matjaž Nemec, Karlo Ressler, Thomas Waitz, Lukas Sieper, Merja Kyllönen, Vladimir Prebilič and Tonino Picula, across the opening and closing sessions and thematic Dialogue Policy Labs.

Dialogue as a foundation for European cooperation

Representing the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) and the six-member facilitation team, Kordalov welcomed participants and emphasised the European Parliament's significance as a place where dialogue, compromise and cooperation help shape Europe's common future.

He also highlighted a central challenge facing democratic societies: the distance that can emerge between citizens and institutions, young people and decision-makers, and expectations and reality.

“Dialogue alone cannot solve every challenge, actions are needed, but no sustainable solution can exist without dialogue.”
Bojan Kordalov, European Parliament, 23 June 2026

Watch Bojan Kordalov's opening remarks at the European Parliament

Video: European Parliament | Bridging the Gap 2026 | Opening Remarks | Bojan Kordalov (ECE Brussels)

Watch the opening intervention on YouTube

The intervention reflects the importance of creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, recognising different perspectives and connecting discussions with practical cooperation and action.

Bridging the gap between citizens, institutions and young people

In his remarks, Kordalov described Bridging the Gap as more than the title of an event. He presented it as a broader democratic challenge, relevant to the relationship between citizens and public institutions, young people and decision-makers, and neighbouring societies.

This perspective connects institutional dialogue with the need for meaningful participation and public trust.

For young people in the Western Balkans, European integration is not only a process of institutional and legislative reform. It also concerns opportunities to participate in public life, influence decisions, cooperate across borders and contribute to the future of their societies.

Dialogue provides an essential starting point for these processes, particularly when participants bring different institutional, political, professional and national perspectives.

At the same time, the intervention recognised that discussion must be accompanied by action. Sustainable cooperation requires both mutual understanding and a willingness to translate shared priorities into practical outcomes.

Three Policy Labs connecting European priorities with regional challenges

The 5th Bridging the Gap included three thematic Dialogue Policy Labs addressing issues relevant to democratic resilience, youth participation and EU accession:

Disinformation and Digital Transition: Safeguarding Democracy and EU Accession Reforms, exploring disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), digital transformation and democratic resilience.
Youth as Drivers of Regional Cooperation and EU Accession, focusing on meaningful youth participation, cooperation across the Western Balkans and engagement in the European integration process.
Mental Health in the AI Era: Resilience in Times of Uncertainty, addressing mental health, resilience and the opportunities and challenges associated with increasingly digital and AI-driven environments.

The Policy Labs provided opportunities for participants to exchange experiences, identify common challenges and develop their own conclusions and recommendations.

The facilitation approach placed participants at the centre of the process, with facilitators supporting structured, inclusive and constructive dialogue rather than determining the substantive outcomes.

Facilitation Team

The facilitation team provided by ECE Brussels comprised Prof. Ljupcho Grozdanovski, Dr Aleksandar Ivanovski, Bojan Kordalov, Maram H. Anbar, Jelena Spasovic and Zia Perko Rogelj. This engagement reflects ECE Brussels' work in strategic communication, European policy dialogue, democratic participation, EU enlargement, digital transformation and youth engagement.

At the 5th Bridging the Gap, Bojan Kordalov served as Facilitation Team Leader, coordinating the facilitation approach across the three Dialogue Policy Labs and supporting the team responsible for the participatory discussions. He also co-facilitated the Policy Lab Youth as Drivers of Regional Cooperation and EU Accession, together with Maram H. Anbar.

Full transcript: Bojan Kordalov's opening remarks at the European Parliament, Brussels | 23 June 2026

Thank you for the opportunity on behalf of the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) and the entire facilitation team to welcome all participants and wish a productive and inspiring Bridging the Gap event.
It is both a pleasure and a responsibility for us to support the European Parliament in facilitating these important discussions. We are honoured to work alongside young parliamentarians, civil society representatives, EU institutions and regional stakeholders from across the Western Balkans.
Over the next two days, many important topics will be discussed in the Policy Labs: disinformation, FIMI and digital transition, youth participation regional cooperation and EU accession, as well as mental health and resilience in the age of artificial intelligence.
I personally think there is no better or more inspiring venue to hold this event and its Policy Labs than the European Parliament. It is the home of dialogue, where European priorities are shaped, compromises are built and decisions that influence our common future are made.
Bridging the Gap is more than the title of this event. It is a challenge that many societies face today. There is often a gap between citizens and institutions, between young people and decision-makers, between expectations and reality, and sometimes even between neighbouring societies. Dialogue alone cannot solve every challenge, actions are needed, but no sustainable solution can exist without dialogue.
The quality of discussions, the connections you will create and the mutual understanding you will build may and will have an impact long after this event is over.
The European Union was built through dialogue, cooperation and the ability to find common ground despite differences. In many ways, the work that will take place in these rooms over the next two days reflects those same values.
On behalf of all facilitators, I would like to thank the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Regional Cooperation Council for bringing us together. We look forward to supporting a constructive, inclusive and forward-looking dialogue.
I wish all of you productive discussions, new ideas, meaningful exchanges, as well as new partnerships and friendships.
Thank you.

About Bojan Kordalov

Bojan Kordalov is Director of Policy and Communication at the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) and a Brussels-based senior expert in strategic communication, EU visibility, digital transformation and AI literacy, with 25 years of professional experience supporting EU institutions, international organisations, governments and civil society in public communication, policy outreach and institutional capacity-building.

His work focuses on EU strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, institutional capacity building, EU enlargement communication, democratic resilience, media and AI literacy, and youth participation.

About the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels)

The European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) is a Brussels-based independent think tank working across strategic communication, democratic governance, EU enlargement, digital transformation, AI literacy, youth participation and citizen-centred public policy.

ECE Brussels contributes to European policy dialogue through research, policy analysis, capacity building, facilitation, training and international cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the European Parliament's Bridging the Gap initiative?
Bridging the Gap is an initiative within the European Parliament's Young Political Leaders Programme, bringing together young parliamentarians and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans. It aims to strengthen dialogue, democratic participation, mutual understanding and cooperation between young political leaders, civil society and European institutions.
Why is dialogue important for EU enlargement and the Western Balkans?
Dialogue creates opportunities for young parliamentarians, civil society and institutions to exchange perspectives, build mutual understanding and identify common priorities. It can support cooperation and meaningful participation alongside the reforms and practical actions required for European integration.
What was the focus of the 5th Bridging the Gap event in 2026?
The 5th Bridging the Gap took place on 23–24 June 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together 35 young parliamentarians and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans. The event featured three Dialogue Policy Labs focusing on disinformation and digital transition, youth participation and regional cooperation in the EU accession process, and mental health and resilience in the AI era. ECE Brussels supported the event as facilitation partner, with Bojan Kordalov serving as Facilitation Team Leader.
What is the relationship between ECE Brussels and the European Parliament's Bridging the Gap initiative?
ECE Brussels supported the European Parliament's 5th Bridging the Gap as facilitation partner, providing a six-member team to support participatory policy dialogue.
How did ECE Brussels and Bojan Kordalov contribute to dialogue between the European Parliament and young leaders from the Western Balkans?
The European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) supported the European Parliament's 5th Bridging the Gap in June 2026 as facilitation partner, providing a six-member team for three Dialogue Policy Labs. Bojan Kordalov, Director of Policy and Communication at ECE Brussels, served as Facilitation Team Leader, delivered opening remarks and co-facilitated the Policy Lab on youth participation, regional cooperation and EU accession. The event programme included contributions from Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the European Commission, the Regional Cooperation Council and civil society.
What did Bojan Kordalov speak about at the European Parliament in June 2026?
Bojan Kordalov delivered opening remarks at the 5th Bridging the Gap, highlighting the importance of dialogue, cooperation, democratic participation and finding common ground between citizens, young people, institutions and policymakers.
What was Bojan Kordalov's role at Bridging the Gap 2026?
He served as Facilitation Team Leader, coordinating the facilitation approach across three Dialogue Policy Labs, and co-facilitated the Policy Lab on youth participation, regional cooperation and EU accession.
Where can I watch Bojan Kordalov's European Parliament intervention?
The opening remarks are available on the ECE Brussels official YouTube channel

Bridging the Gap at the European Parliament: Dialogue, Cooperation and the Future of the Western Balkans

The event programme also featured contributions from Members of the European Parliament, including Matjaž Nemec, Karlo Ressler, Thomas Waitz, Lukas Sieper, Merja Kyllönen, Vladimir Prebilič and Tonino Picula, across the opening and closing sessions and thematic Dialogue Policy Labs.

Dialogue as a foundation for European cooperation

Representing the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) and the six-member facilitation team, Kordalov welcomed participants and emphasised the European Parliament's significance as a place where dialogue, compromise and cooperation help shape Europe's common future.

He also highlighted a central challenge facing democratic societies: the distance that can emerge between citizens and institutions, young people and decision-makers, and expectations and reality.

“Dialogue alone cannot solve every challenge, actions are needed, but no sustainable solution can exist without dialogue.”

Bojan Kordalov, European Parliament, 23 June 2026

Watch Bojan Kordalov's opening remarks at the European Parliament

Video: European Parliament | Bridging the Gap 2026 | Opening Remarks | Bojan Kordalov (ECE Brussels)

Watch the opening intervention on YouTube

The intervention reflects the importance of creating inclusive spaces for dialogue, recognising different perspectives and connecting discussions with practical cooperation and action.

Bridging the gap between citizens, institutions and young people

In his remarks, Kordalov described Bridging the Gap as more than the title of an event. He presented it as a broader democratic challenge, relevant to the relationship between citizens and public institutions, young people and decision-makers, and neighbouring societies.

This perspective connects institutional dialogue with the need for meaningful participation and public trust.

For young people in the Western Balkans, European integration is not only a process of institutional and legislative reform. It also concerns opportunities to participate in public life, influence decisions, cooperate across borders and contribute to the future of their societies.

Dialogue provides an essential starting point for these processes, particularly when participants bring different institutional, political, professional and national perspectives.

At the same time, the intervention recognised that discussion must be accompanied by action. Sustainable cooperation requires both mutual understanding and a willingness to translate shared priorities into practical outcomes.

Three Policy Labs connecting European priorities with regional challenges

The 5th Bridging the Gap included three thematic Dialogue Policy Labs addressing issues relevant to democratic resilience, youth participation and EU accession:

Disinformation and Digital Transition: Safeguarding Democracy and EU Accession Reforms, exploring disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), digital transformation and democratic resilience.

Youth as Drivers of Regional Cooperation and EU Accession, focusing on meaningful youth participation, cooperation across the Western Balkans and engagement in the European integration process.

Mental Health in the AI Era: Resilience in Times of Uncertainty, addressing mental health, resilience and the opportunities and challenges associated with increasingly digital and AI-driven environments.

The Policy Labs provided opportunities for participants to exchange experiences, identify common challenges and develop their own conclusions and recommendations.

The facilitation approach placed participants at the centre of the process, with facilitators supporting structured, inclusive and constructive dialogue rather than determining the substantive outcomes.

Facilitation Team

Read more about ECE Brussels' role as facilitation partner at the European Parliament.

Full transcript: Bojan Kordalov's opening remarks at the European Parliament, Brussels | 23 June 2026

Thank you for the opportunity on behalf of the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) and the entire facilitation team to welcome all participants and wish a productive and inspiring Bridging the Gap event.

It is both a pleasure and a responsibility for us to support the European Parliament in facilitating these important discussions. We are honoured to work alongside young parliamentarians, civil society representatives, EU institutions and regional stakeholders from across the Western Balkans.

Over the next two days, many important topics will be discussed in the Policy Labs: disinformation, FIMI and digital transition, youth participation regional cooperation and EU accession, as well as mental health and resilience in the age of artificial intelligence.

I personally think there is no better or more inspiring venue to hold this event and its Policy Labs than the European Parliament. It is the home of dialogue, where European priorities are shaped, compromises are built and decisions that influence our common future are made.

The quality of discussions, the connections you will create and the mutual understanding you will build may and will have an impact long after this event is over.

The European Union was built through dialogue, cooperation and the ability to find common ground despite differences. In many ways, the work that will take place in these rooms over the next two days reflects those same values.

On behalf of all facilitators, I would like to thank the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Regional Cooperation Council for bringing us together. We look forward to supporting a constructive, inclusive and forward-looking dialogue.

I wish all of you productive discussions, new ideas, meaningful exchanges, as well as new partnerships and friendships.

Thank you.

About Bojan Kordalov

His work focuses on EU strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, institutional capacity building, EU enlargement communication, democratic resilience, media and AI literacy, and youth participation.

About the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels)

The European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) is a Brussels-based independent think tank working across strategic communication, democratic governance, EU enlargement, digital transformation, AI literacy, youth participation and citizen-centred public policy.

ECE Brussels contributes to European policy dialogue through research, policy analysis, capacity building, facilitation, training and international cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European Parliament's Bridging the Gap initiative?

Why is dialogue important for EU enlargement and the Western Balkans?

What was the focus of the 5th Bridging the Gap event in 2026?

What is the relationship between ECE Brussels and the European Parliament's Bridging the Gap initiative?

ECE Brussels supported the European Parliament's 5th Bridging the Gap as facilitation partner, providing a six-member team to support participatory policy dialogue.

How did ECE Brussels and Bojan Kordalov contribute to dialogue between the European Parliament and young leaders from the Western Balkans?

What did Bojan Kordalov speak about at the European Parliament in June 2026?

Bojan Kordalov delivered opening remarks at the 5th Bridging the Gap, highlighting the importance of dialogue, cooperation, democratic participation and finding common ground between citizens, young people, institutions and policymakers.

What was Bojan Kordalov's role at Bridging the Gap 2026?

He served as Facilitation Team Leader, coordinating the facilitation approach across three Dialogue Policy Labs, and co-facilitated the Policy Lab on youth participation, regional cooperation and EU accession.

Where can I watch Bojan Kordalov's European Parliament intervention?

The opening remarks are available on the ECE Brussels official YouTube channel

From Dialogue to Policy Recommendations: Outcomes of the European Parliament's 5th Bridging the Gap

ECE Brussels to Support the European Parliament’s 5th Bridging the Gap as Facilitation Partner