“A region between hope and disenchantment”: Gallup and the European Fund of the Balkans present the first results of the Gallup Balkan Monitor.

The European Fund for the Balkans aims to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU by awarding grants and developing operational programmes. Focused on individuals and organisations from Western Balkan countries, the Fund’s priorities include the development – in the Balkans – of functioning state administrations and constituency-building. In order for administrations to function effectively, of course, there must be a close link between the authorities and the people they represent. That, in turn, shows the need for greater understanding of the perceptions and attitudes of the Balkan people.

The Gallup Balkan Monitor – insights and perceptions: Voices of the Balkans
Given Gallup’s position as the pre-eminent organisation in pan-European polling and its long-standing interest in the Balkan region, it appeared natural for the Fund to choose that organisation as its partner in the region to conduct the Gallup Balkan Monitor, the first-ever in-depth survey of the whole Western Balkans. It reflects Balkan residents' views on all aspects of their lives and provides strategic insights into today's Balkans’ socio-economic, socio-political and multi-cultural dimensions.

The first results – a patchwork of attitudes and beliefs

Shortly after the publication of the EU’s progress reports for the Western Balkan countries, the survey presents a complementary assessment of the region by the citizens of the region themselves, providing much-needed evidence for policymakers. The latest survey, conducted in September and October 2008, consisted of a representative sample of at least 1,000 respondents per country in Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It therefore shows how the people of the region are thinking today.
 Less than 15 years after the 1992-95 war, the Western Balkans is polarised: from the optimistic ‘new states’ – Montenegro and Kosovo - to the more disillusioned Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia and more surprisingly Croatia.. For example, more than six in 10 respondents in Kosovo thought that their country was moving in the right direction (62%), while just as many in Croatia thought their country was heading in the wrong direction (64%).
 With the notable exception of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, support for EU membership in the Balkan countries has remained high. Over eight out of 10 Albanians, for example, thought that a membership of the EU would be a good thing (83%)
 Most Balkan inhabitants’ show dissatisfaction with their country’s development; this is reflected by their negative attitude towards politics and the way they are governed
 A significant number believe they could find better opportunities abroad, although most would prefer not to leave their home country forever. For example, more than half of respondents in Macedonia thought that there were better opportunities for them abroad (55%), but out of those willing to leave, two-thirds could only imagine a temporary stay in a foreign country (67%).
 An overwhelming majority of respondents from Kosovo and Albania say the independence (of Kosovo) has had a positive impact on the region, but only a minority of Serbian and Montenegrin participants share that view.