The Digital Inclusion Initiative (DII) supports the formation of National Coalitions for Digital Inclusion in each of the five participating countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Each country will form a national coalition of 20+ stakeholders, including CSOs, tech experts, academia, business, and public institutions. These platforms will drive national-level dialogue and advocacy.

Purpose of the Coalition

These coalitions serve as inclusive, multi-stakeholder platforms dedicated to advancing digital inclusion policies, practices, and solutions at the national level. They are designed to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and national policymaking, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are reflected in digital strategies.

Each coalition aims to:

• Facilitate dialogue between civil society, institutions, and the tech ecosystem
• Promote inclusive digital policy reforms aligned with EU priorities
• Drive collective action to reduce the digital divide in each country

Why the Coalitions Were Formed

Despite progress in digital transformation, many communities in the Western Balkans remain underserved and disconnected. The DII Coalitions were formed to ensure that digital inclusion becomes a national priority not just a technical challenge, but a human rights issue. Coalitions bring together diverse actors to coordinate efforts, align strategies, and push for inclusive, people-centered digital development.

Who Can Join?

Coalitions are open, dynamic, and diverse. Participants may include:

• Civil society organizations (especially grassroots or community-based)
• Digital inclusion and ICT experts
• Educators and academic institutions
• Media and communications professionals
• Representatives of marginalized groups (women, youth, rural populations, persons with disabilities, Roma communities, etc.)
• Government bodies and policymakers
• Tech companies and innovators

What the Coalitions Do?

Each national coalition will:

• Develop a shared vision and national roadmap for digital inclusion
• Host policy forums and consultative meetings
• Share best practices and community insights
• Influence legislation, digital strategies, and public investments
• Collaborate with grassroots CSOs funded through the DII project
• Serve as a watchdog and advocate for inclusive digital progress

Regional Exchange Across Coalitions

While each DII National Coalition is rooted in the unique context of its country, the project also fosters regional cooperation by connecting coalitions across the Western Balkans. This regional dimension ensures that digital inclusion is promoted not only through national policy reform, but also through shared learning, regional dialogue, and strategic alignment.

Regional Coordination Includes:

• Annual multi-country coalition meetings and policy forums
• Exchange of tools, methodologies, and policy insights
• Joint regional advocacy (e.g., shared statements or recommendations)
• Comparative research and DESI analysis across countries
• A regional platform for communication and knowledge sharing

Join a Coalition