Central Europe

Open to: students attending Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Goce Delcev University - Shtip, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola, South East European University, and University American College Skopje. Employees, consultants, or interns of the OSCE, and their immediate family members, are not eligible to participate.

Submission deadline: 21 November 2025

Awards: The authors of the three best essays will each receive vouchers for IT equipment

The OSCE Mission to Skopje aims to advance the rule of law and human rights by implementing applicable international standards and OSCE commitments in the judiciary and fundamental rights areas, in line with North Macedonia's strategic priorities. The Mission addresses various challenges in the domains of judicial independence and impartiality, criminal justice, anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, gender equality and fundamental rights in North Macedonia as identified in various governmental policy documents and international expert assessments.

In parallel to the anti-corruption masterclasses series, organized in co-operation with five national universities (University American College Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Goce Delcev University - Shtip, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola and South East European University), the OSCE Mission to Skopje has welcomed the strong interest and engagement shown by students. Building on this enthusiasm, the Mission is pleased to announce an essay writing competition for students. The competition aims to further encourage active participation in anti-corruption initiatives, drawing on the insights students gained from lectures delivered by more than a dozen anti-corruption professionals, scholars, and activists during the masterclass series.

The competition will be open until 21 November 2025.

Essays shall demonstrate a well-informed understanding of the complex nature of corruption and propose realistic ideas on how to reduce corruption. Authors should provide one or more arguments on their chosen topic, elaborated and supported with credible academic, legal or policy sources. Thus, authors are encouraged to present their own opinion but need to make sure such opinion is based on credible and convincing evidence. Essays shall be written in a well-structured and clear manner, with adequate use of language.

Essays shall be based on one of the following general topics:

•            Integrity and the use of AI

•            Corruption and crypto assets

•            Criminal aspects of corruption

•            Corruption and gender

• Corruption and media

These topics provide a general direction, allowing authors to develop their essays more specifically, as long as they remain aligned with one of the five general topics.

An evaluation committee consisting of three professors will assess the anonymously submitted essays applying the following criteria:       

•            Essay topic and relevance (max. 25 points)

•            Creativeness and originality of proposed argument(s) and solution(s) (max. 25 points)

•            Argumentation and use of evidence and sources (max. 25 points)

•            Language, structure and clarity (max. 25 points)

Essays shall be written in English, in Times New Roman font, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing. The total length should be between 1,400 and 1,600 words (approximately 3 pages). Essays that exceed this word count will not be considered.

All essays must be the original work of the authors. Any instance of plagiarism, including the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, will result in disqualification from the competition.

Info session

For interested students, the OSCE Mission to Skopje will organize an online info session with more precise guidelines on how to prepare a competitive essay, one week before the essay submission deadline. To obtain information on the exact time and date for the session and a Zoom link, please send an email to Ana.DespotovskaBogevska@osce.org and provide your contact information.

Application process

Instructions for the essay writing competition are available in Macedonian and Albanian as well.

Authors shall submit their essays as PDF files to Ana.DespotovskaBogevska@osce.org by 21 November 2025. To support the process of anonymous evaluation, authors should include their full name, surname, and the name of their university in the body of the email. Authors must ensure that their names do not appear in the essay document itself.

Nothing in or related to this contest shall be construed as a waiver, express or implied, of any of the privileges and immunities of the OSCE.

600058

Judges and prosecutors from across Moldova enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in adjudicating financial crime cases involving virtual assets during a two-day OSCE workshop, held on 20 and 21 October in Chisinau.

Organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in co-operation with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) of the Republic of Moldova, the workshop built upon the first training held in September 2025. It provided advanced, hands-on exercises to strengthen judicial understanding of blockchain technology, virtual asset investigations, and the presentation of digital evidence in court.

“We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for OSCE’s support in the continuous training activities organized by the National Institute of Justice,” said Ghennadi Epure, Deputy Director of the NIJ. “We express our hope that, through joint efforts, we will succeed in forming a professional body of prosecutors and judges — equipped with advanced and specialized knowledge in the field of investigating crimes involving the use of electronic and virtual currencies,” he added.

The training placed particular emphasis on practical exercises and mock trials, allowing participants to simulate courtroom presentations, translate complex technical data into accessible legal arguments, and develop strategies for asset tracing, seizure, and confiscation of virtual assets.

“This kind of crime is relatively new for Moldova. Criminal prosecution authorities do not have so much experience in handling such cases and I believe that the topics covered in this workshop are very timely and they will be very useful for our work,” said one of the participating prosecutors.

As in the first session, the workshop was preceded by a public lecture on virtual assets, offering future judges and prosecutors the opportunity to learn about crime typologies involving virtual assets, and to analyse a real-life case study from a neighbouring country.

These activities were organized as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project, “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, implemented by OCEEA, with the financial support from Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

VIENNA, 22 October 2025 - The OSCE Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) and the Forum on Information and Democracy (FID) launched today a new policy manual on “Safeguarding Media Freedom in the Age of Big Tech Platforms and AI”. The publication for OSCE participating States aims to protect freedom of expression and media freedom, as well as promoting information integrity and independent public interest journalism in the digital era. The manual was presented as part of the OSCE RFoM’s “Healthy Online Information Spaces: From Policy Guidance to Pathways Forward” conference, held in Vienna and online.

The publication was developed in co-operation with the FID and with the support of an international steering committee consisting of renowned experts from across the OSCE region. It is the outcome of over a year of in-depth research and analysis, several expert roundtables, and consultations involving over 150 leading scholars and practitioners.

Highlighting the profound impact of AI and digital platforms on information spaces, as well as challenges related to the concentration of power and the lack of transparency, accountability, and human rights due diligence, the policy manual provides concrete guidance to promote the visibility and viability of public interest journalism as well as the safety of journalists online.

“States have an obligation to protect and promote media freedom, by ensuring an enabling environment that fosters democratic debate, and the free exchange of ideas and information. This includes ensuring that Big Tech doesn’t employ strategies that limit access to journalistic content. Our new policy manual offers analysis, tools and principled guidance, grounded in international human rights standards and OSCE commitments, to support States in designing frameworks that safeguard media pluralism, independence and public interest,” said the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Jan Braathu.

Journalism finds itself in a complex relation with Big Tech, increasingly depending on it for audiences, financial models, and — to a large degree —the dissemination of news content. This results in a struggle for news visibility, which affects access to accurate, fact-based information as well as the economic and financial sustainability of media outlets.

Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy, underlined that: “The behaviour of Big Tech has shown us that we can only guarantee media freedom and access to reliable information if States implement democratic rules in the information space. Building upon international human rights law, OSCE commitments, and the Declaration of the Partnership for Information and Democracy, this policy manual provides guidance enabling States to act urgently and in multilateral co-operation.”

Anya Schiffrin and Natali Helberger, co-chairs of the Steering Committee, highlighted that “the current concentration of economic, technological and political power in the hands of a few Big Tech platforms that control large parts of the digital information infrastructure is a threat to democracy”. They underlined that “the policy manual formulates concrete steps to safeguard media freedom in the age of Big Tech platforms and AI”.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented their final report on Germany’s 2025 early parliamentary elections in Berlin and discussed its key findings and recommendations.

The discussions with government officials, the election administration, relevant Committees of the Bundestag, the Federal Constitutional Court, the campaign finance oversight body and representatives of civil society organizations focused on plans to undertake a comprehensive legal reform, effective measures to increase women’s active participation in political life, efforts to address disinformation and manipulative content, establishing an effective oversight body for campaign finance and ensuring the right to a timely legal remedy.

“We appreciate the ongoing dialogue with the German authorities on ODIHR’s electoral recommendations, and value their openness to making use of our assessments as a means of strengthening the democratic process,” said Tana de Zulueta, Head of the ODIHR Election Assessment Mission for the February 2025 early parliamentary elections. “We were informed of planned amendments to the electoral legislation and the establishment of a working group in Parliament by the ruling coalition to that end. As recommended, we encourage an open and consultative discussion of the reforms well in advance of the next elections.”

ODIHR experts also outlined potential areas for ODIHR’s engagement with national institutions and offered assistance to bring the electoral process closer in line with OSCE commitments and international standards, including legal reviews and sharing of best practices.

ODIHR’s election observation also assesses the country’s efforts to implement previous recommendations through changes in legislation, procedures and practices. For Germany, the ODIHR mission evaluated the follow-up to recommendations on the 2021 and 2017 parliamentary elections and concluded that one recommendation was fully implemented and four were partially addressed, while the others remain to be carried out.

Further details can be found in the ODIHR Electoral Recommendations Database. All OSCE participating States have committed to following up promptly on ODIHR's election assessments and recommendations.

600055 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 22 October, the OSCE, through its Gender Issues Programme and with the support of the WIN project, marked the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security with a high-level event in Vienna. The event brought together participants from all three editions of the Women Peace Leadership Programme (WPLP) – the flagship mentoring initiative under the OSCE Networking Platform for Women Leaders, including peacebuilders and mediators.

This milestone event comes at a critical time. While the OSCE has made measurable progress since implementing its Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality in 2004 - launching numerous initiatives across its 57 participating States to support women's leadership - significant challenges remain and a growing global backlash against women's rights call for renewed commitment and action.

Opened by the OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, Finland’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE and Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OSCE, Ambassador Raphael Nägeli, Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta to the OSCE  Deborah Borg, the event brought together representatives from participating States, Partners for Co-operation and WPLP alumnae to discuss innovative strategies and collaborative pathways to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda over the next 25 years.

In his remarks, OSCE Secretary General Ambassador Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu emphasized that societies “Women and girls suffer disproportionately from conflict. Yet women often remain sidelined from decision-making processes that affect societies as a whole. This undermines the sustainability and durability of peace processes. At the OSCE, we recognize the vital role that women play in rebuilding societies and we invest in supporting women’s participation in peace and security efforts”.

Dr. Lara Scarpitta, OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues and Head of the Gender Issues Programme, highlighted women's role in comprehensive and lasting peace agreements: "Bringing their voices to the forefront is necessary for effective conflict resolution efforts, as their diverse perspectives enrich peacebuilding processes and promote a culture of peace”.

Three thematic panels explored key dimensions of the Women, Peace and Security agenda: The first, "Women, Peace and Security agenda throughout the years: What works?", examined effective practices and developed concrete recommendations for progress. The second, "Women and Climate: A Call to Action," addressed the nexus between women, climate, and security, highlighting the importance of women's participation in climate-related decision-making. The final panel, "OSCE Tools to Advance WPS," explored ways to enhance women's meaningful participation in peace processes through collaborative approaches.

Launched in 2022 as part of the multi-year project WIN for Women and Men, the Women Peace Leadership Programme is a high-level mentoring initiative designed to support and empower women peacebuilders from across the OSCE region and Afghanistan through extensive training on leadership, mediation, and communication skills, as well as mentoring by internationally renowned women leaders. 

600187 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Some sixty IT students and faculty members learnt about potential challenges of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) during an OSCE-organized lecture session that took place on 23 October 2025 at the Turkmen Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics.

Otabek Rashidov, Programme Officer from the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department, delivered the lecture to enhance the understanding of young IT professionals of potential risks and opportunities of new technologies and their benefits for academic studies.

“The topic of this session is the responsible use of AI, a subject that lies at the intersection of technological progress and ethical foresight,” said William Leaf, Head of Centre, OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“While AI has an incredible potential to innovate, create and find new technological solutions, it also brings significant responsibilities,” stressed Leaf.

“I am confident, this learning opportunity will become an important platform for sharing knowledge, challenging assumptions, and building the ethical frameworks that will guide AI development and its responsible use by young generation.”

During his presentation, Otabek Rashidov elaborated on the history of AI and ethical aspects of its use, sharing practical examples and stimulating lively discussions. Discussions  emphasized the importance of the responsible use of AI for professional and personal development, protection of core human rights and dignity, and creation of safe digital environment.

The presentation is part of continued co-operation with the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence of the Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics of Turkmenistan established in 2022 with the support of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

600007

On 29 and 30 September, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) conducted a specialized training course on gender-based violence (GBV) for 30 police and judicial professionals in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Tailored to the specific needs of practitioners in the country, the training aimed to foster a shared understanding of trauma-informed and victim-centred approaches to addressing GBV. It also enhanced participants' knowledge of the national legal frameworks, while raising awareness of the profound and far-reaching impacts of GBV on victims, their families, communities and society as a whole.

By bringing together professionals from across the criminal justice sector, the training also sought to foster stronger inter-institutional co-operation in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of GBV cases — a crucial element in ensuring a comprehensive and effective criminal justice response.

A highlight of the training was the presentation of Lullaby Goodbye, a theatre performance conceptualized by TNTD’s Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) and based on the real-life experiences of a survivor of online GBV. The performance served as a powerful awareness-raising tool, illustrating the evolving nature of gender-based abuse. Real case examples provided practical insights, underscoring the importance of integrating survivor perspectives into professional practice.

Participants also deepened their understanding of victim-centred approaches in the context of recent national legal reforms, including the criminalization of sexual harassment. They enhanced their practical skills in evidence collection and explored the importance of risk-assessment tools and effective multi-sectoral co-ordination. Particular emphasis was placed on the critical role of first-line police supervisors in promoting GBV-sensitive practices among first responders.

The course was held by TNTD’s SPMU in co-operation with the OSCE Gender Issues Programme, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecution of Montenegro.

The training was organized within the framework of the OSCE’s ongoing efforts to promote gender-responsive policing under the TNTD/SPMU regional project “Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe”, with financial support from, Austria, Finland, France Germany, Italy and Norway.

600001 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 15 and16 October, the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Issues Programme organized a two-day training session for 21 mentors of the first Mentoring programme for women police officers within the National Police of Ukraine.

The development of this Mentoring programme and the preparation of mentors form part of a joint initiative between the Department of Main Inspectorate and Human Rights Compliance of the National Police of Ukraine and the OSCE Gender Issues Programme, implemented through the WIN Project. This initiative aims to strengthen women's leadership in law enforcement.

Opening of the training, Vadym Filin, Deputy Head of the Department and Head of the Human Rights Compliance Unit, emphasized the importance of empowering women in policing.

“The National Police of Ukraine fully supports the development of women’s leadership. Women who combine professionalism, commitment, and a strong sense of duty play a crucial role in building a modern and resilient law enforcement system,” he stated.

The training marked the first stage of a nine-month pilot mentoring programme, set to begin in November 2025 across four regions of Ukraine. Twenty-one mentors will be paired with 21 mentees to promote women’s leadership, professional growth, and institutional resilience. Additional online sessions will provide ongoing support to mentors and mentees throughout the programme.

Project experts Marta Chumalo and Marta Vasylkevych guided participants through a comprehensive preparation process covering not only mentoring techniques but also self-regulation, psychological resilience, workplace discrimination prevention, and reflection on gender norms in a traditionally male-dominated environment.

Participants noted that the training increased their self-awareness and confidence, enabling them to guide their future mentees more effectively.

Through the WIN Project, the OSCE continues to support Ukraine's security institutions in promoting gender equality and inclusivity, in line with the implementation of Ukraine’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 regarding Women, Peace, and Security.

599995 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 13 and14 October 2025, 25 women leaders from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) took part in the final module of the leadership workshop ‘’Leading Smarter - Not Harder’’ organized by the OSCE Gender Issues Programme through the WIN Project.

Launched in 2023, this initiative builds on previous collaboration with SESU to strengthen women’s leadership and resilience in Ukraine’s security and emergency response sector. The final session focused on preventing professional burnout, enhancing resilience amid prolonged conflict, and introducing modern leadership approaches, including elements of neuroleadership. Participants also explored ways to advance gender mainstreaming within SESU, developing a women’s network within the service, and maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

The WIN Project team designed a dynamic, interactive course aimed at equipping participants with practical leadership tools while creating a space for recovery, peer support, and mutual inspiration.

Many participants highlighted the tangible impact of the last year’s workshop on their professional growth, reporting career advancement and renewed strength and motivation to continue their demanding work.

“Your strategies for building self-confidence and focusing on personal commitments helped me feel empowered even in the darkest days,” one participant noted.

This initiative reflects the OSCE’s continued commitment to advancing gender equality, promoting women’s leadership in the security sector, and strengthening institutional resilience in challenging contexts.

599990 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Poland’s presidential election in May was competitive and efficiently managed but it took place in a highly polarized political environment, which deepened existing divides and impacted the functioning of some key electoral oversight institutions. Fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the vibrant campaign, although the authorities needed to deploy various countermeasures due to challenges from disinformation and foreign interference.

Concerns persisted regarding the independence of the judiciary despite some measures initiated by the current authorities to restore the rule of law. There were also ongoing concerns about the lack of transparency in the campaign finance framework, as well as media polarization and biased campaign coverage, including by the public broadcaster. On election day, the process was professional and well organized in the limited number of polling stations visited.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report, published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers recommendations to bring elections in Poland closer in line with OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Aligning the legal framework with the commitments made by all OSCE states as well as international standards through an inclusive consultation process;
• Ensuring a clear separation between campaigning and public functions;
• Improving the campaign finance framework by establishing timely, transparent and easy to understand reporting;
• Holding the National Election Commission’s sessions in public and announcing them sufficiently in advance;
• Regulating campaigning by third parties, including setting requirements for registration, financing and disclosure of third-party campaigners;
• Introducing provisions to guarantee the editorial and financial independence of public service media;
• Strengthening freedom of expression by lifting criminal sanctions for defamation;
• Ensuring timely and effective remedy for violations related to the election results after the first round;
• Increasing efforts to ensure women’s active participation in public and political life.

The ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission to the 18 May and 1 June presidential election started work on 11 April and remained in the country until 10 June.

The ODIHR mission also assessed the country’s efforts to implement previous recommendations through changes in legislation, procedures and practices. For Poland, the ODIHR mission evaluated the follow-up to recommendations from the 2020 presidential election and the 2023 parliamentary elections, and concluded that three recommendations had been fully implemented, one mostly implemented and four partially addressed, while others are still outstanding. A full list can be found on p. 37 of today’s report.

All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations. The ODIHR Electoral Recommendations Database tracks the extent to which recommendations are implemented by states across the OSCE region.

599972 Marina Živaljević

A study visit to Berlin, held from 8 to 10 October, brought together Montenegrin Members of Parliament (MPs), organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office (LBO) and the Parliament of Montenegro. Discussions focused on advancing meaningful youth participation in decision-making and peacebuilding processes, strengthening the position of youth in society, and deepening regional co-operation. 

Six MPs from different parliamentary clubs who recently signed the Declaration of Commitment to Youth Regional Cooperation, Intercultural Dialogue and Reconciliation, visited the German Federal Foreign Office, Bundestag, and Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO). They held a series of high-level meetings, including with Dr. Niels von Redecker, Head of Division 209 Western Balkans at the German Federal Foreign Office, Adis Ahmetović, Member of the Bundestag, and Emmeline Charenton from the Office of the Secretary General of FYGO.

During these discussions, participants exchanged views on effective mechanisms for youth engagement in policy-making and peacebuilding processes, as well as initiatives aimed at improving the socioeconomic prospects of young people in Montenegro.

Participants agreed that the Berlin Process – through which RYCO was established – provides a successful framework for fostering trust, reconciliation, and intercultural co-operation between young people in Montenegro and across the wider Western Balkan region.

During the final session held in FYGO, participants explored future avenues of co-operation between the MPs, RYCO LBO, and the Mission. Discussions focused on establishing a structured and ongoing dialogue with youth and youth-oriented organizations across Montenegro, with the goal of ensuring that youth priorities are systematically reflected in parliamentary activities.

599924 Communication and Media Relations Section

Cybersecurity experts and policymakers from Moldova and Ukraine worked to strengthen co-operation and implementation of cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures at a workshop organized by the OSCE in Chisinau on 16 and 17 October. The aim was to enhance national preparedness, bolster crisis management and co-ordination mechanisms, as well as promote regional co-operation on cybersecurity.

The workshop focused on three key cyber/ICT confidence-building measures: threat information sharing (CBM 1), protection of critical infrastructure (CBM 15), and the exchange of vulnerability information (CBM 16). These help to foster national and regional cyber resilience and form part of the OSCE’s broader efforts to foster trust, transparency, and stability in the cyber domain.

Through a combination of expert presentations and an interactive, scenario-based exercise, participants had the opportunity to apply practical approaches to managing cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure. The exercise simulated a multi-stage cyber incident, promoting cross-border communication, information exchange, and joint crisis response.

The training course was organized under the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project, “Activities and Customized Support for the Implementation of OSCE Cyber/ICT Security Confidence-Building Measures,” with financial support from Germany. This is part of efforts to support participating States in building confidence and reducing the risk of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies.

SKOPJE, 20 October 2025 – The campaign was competitive in North Macedonia’s local elections and voters had a wide range of political alternatives to choose from, but they were negatively affected by systemic legal gaps and shortcomings in the oversight of campaign finances as well as political polarization and deep public disenchantment with politics, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Congress), and the European Parliament (EP) found that while the legal framework provides a basis for holding democratic elections, it contains numerous gaps and lacks clarity in many areas. At the same time, last year’s legal amendments while taking some ODIHR recommendations into account, left most of the previous recommendations unaddressed.

"It was good to see a competitive campaign over the last weeks and a well-run and mostly peaceful election day yesterday, but gaps in election laws that weaken the work of institutions remain a concern,” said Matteo Mecacci, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission. “Addressing key aspects of the electoral process which require reform—from campaign finance to equitable campaign opportunities in the media for all contestants—will continue to be the focus of our work, including during the observation of the second-round contests on 2 November."

Fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the campaign and candidates were generally able to campaign freely. At the same time, while not in violation of the law, mayors and high-level government officials inaugurated, visited, or promoted investment and infrastructure projects both before and during the official campaign period, undermining legal safeguards to prevent the misuse of public resources and contrary to international standards. Reports of alleged pressure on public sector employees and intimidation of voters and opposition candidates, as well as vote buying by political parties, were also of concern.

Some 1.72 million citizens with permanent residence in the country were eligible to vote. The election administration managed preparations efficiently and generally enjoyed public trust. However, some concerns were voiced about its independence, since it is mostly composed of public officials.  Election day was generally calm, although some shortcomings in procedures were noted such as group voting and undue interference by candidate representatives.

Women continue to be underrepresented in public and political life. While the law prescribes a 40 per cent gender quota for candidate lists, only 32 of the 309 mayoral candidates were women. Discussions on gender equality and women’s rights were largely absent from the campaign. Observers noted concerns regarding sexist rhetoric against women candidates and women’s political participation in general, especially online.

“We welcome the fact that election day was overall well-organised,” said Gobnait Ní Mhuimneacáin, Head of Delegation from the Congress of the Council of Europe. “However, the low number of women mayoral candidates and the lack of accessibility for voters with disabilities and older people remain serious concerns. The absence of local media, particularly outside the capital, is also a major issue, limiting coverage of local issues — which should be central to a local election campaign — and contributing to the prominence of national topics, further polarising the electoral environment.”

Systemic gaps in the legal framework regulating campaign finance combined with the limited capacity of the country’s oversight bodies hindered effective scrutiny of campaign finance. Public funds make up a significant share of overall campaign financing, but the distribution formula significantly favoured major parliamentary parties to the exclusion of smaller parties with a parliamentary group, and offered only limited opportunities to other small parties and independent candidates.  

"We listened to all our interlocutors with interest and attention. Although European integration was not a central campaign issue, we understand from most of them that a majority of parties and communities in North Macedonia remain committed to EU membership,” said Marta Temido, Head of the EP Delegation. “We therefore suggest to the newly elected local authorities to advance their country's EU reform agenda."

The media landscape is diverse, but fragmented along political and ethnic lines. At the same time, unfavourable working conditions and limited human resources in the media sector affect the quality of reporting. The observation mission’s media monitoring showed that coverage of the election in the broadcast media was balanced overall. Social media campaigning is largely unregulated, and there is no oversight authority mandated to monitor the campaign on social networks and detect disinformation or manipulative content.

The international election observation to the local elections in North Macedonia totalled 275 observers from 40 countries, made up of 253 ODIHR experts and long- and short-term observers, 15 members and staff from the Congress, and seven parliamentarians and staff from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

Stephanie Poirel, Congress: +33 6 63 55 07 10 or stephanie.poirel@coe.int

Raffaele Luise, EP: +32 470952279 or raffaele.luise@europarl.europa.eu

599867

First Fergana Peace Forum was organized from 15 to 16 October 2025 at Fergana university. More  than 300 participants from Central Asia, the CIS, Europe, Asia and the America gathered to discuss under the title “Uniting efforts for peace and progress”.

Over the course of the two-day discussions, participants exchanged views on ways to strengthen trust and good-neighbourly relations in the Fergana Valley, unlock its economic potential, promote cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and enhance the role of youth in advancing sustainable peace.

Speaking at the Forum, Kate Fearon, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, stressed the significance of regional cooperation and diplomacy:

“The Fergana Valley is transforming into a region where trust and good neighbourly relations serve as a compelling example of what can be achieved through diplomacy and peaceful resolution. The OSCE remains committed to supporting Central Asian countries’ efforts to consolidate peace, stability, and sustainable development in this unique and dynamic region.”

At the panel session titled “The Fergana Valley – expanding the horizons of cultural and humanitarian cooperation,” Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, noted:

“The Fergana Valley is not only a geographic space. It is also a cultural and human community, where millions of people are linked by history, traditions, and values. Strengthening cooperation in these fields is one of the best ways to build trust and to ensure lasting peace.” Ambassador Karttunen focused on possibilities to develop cross-border co-operation of youth and said that OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan would consider some concrete projects.

The Forum concluded with the adoption of a Communiqué calling for the creation of a permanent platform to enhance dialogue, mutual trust, and a shared strategy for the region’s sustainable future.

The forum was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Center for Progressive Reforms, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and the Peacebuilding Hub, with support from the United Nations and the European Union.

599847 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) calls for continued attention and a prompt and effective response from law enforcement and judicial institutions regarding the threats targeting journalist Vahidin Durić. The Mission underscores the importance of ensuring that all cases endangering journalists’ safety are treated with urgency and diligence, in line with relevant legal provisions.

The Mission also highlights the crucial role of the contact points for journalists within prosecutors’ offices and police agencies across Bosnia and Herzegovina in facilitating effective co-ordination and timely investigation of such cases. Holding perpetrators to account helps deter future attacks and enables journalists to carry out their work in a safer environment.

The Mission reiterates that all media professionals must be guaranteed a safe working environment, in which all fundamental rights and freedoms are fully protected and respected.

599841

On 2 October, Emmanuel Decaux, President of the OSCE’s Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, reported to the OSCE Permanent Council about the Court’s activities over the last year.

“The principle of peaceful dispute settlement has been at the heart of international relations for more than two centuries,” said President Decaux, outlining the legal framework provided by the Court to achieve this goal. “The Court is unique in that it is based on a multilateral treaty that has a life of its own and is designed to last.”

He recalled the 1957 European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes and its relationship to the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE, which entered into force on 5 December 1994. Highlighting that the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration is now binding on 34 OSCE participating States, Decaux said that the Court’s mechanisms remain open, on a voluntary basis, to all OSCE participating States. He welcomed efforts made to ensure the Court’s place in the ‘OSCE toolbox’ available to all OSCE stakeholders.

Acknowledging the complexities and diverse perspectives of the current geopolitical challenges, Decaux emphasized the Court’s capability of setting up a conciliation commission or an arbitral tribunal. “For the Convention to prove its usefulness, it must be used by the States and institutions of the OSCE. It must not be merely a legal ideal, but a diplomatic reality,” he said.

President Decaux, whose term ends in November 2025, concluded his address with a farewell message and words of encouragement for the next Bureau of the Court.

Read the full address (delivered in French)

SKOPJE, 17 October 2025 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the local elections in North Macedonia.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the local elections in North Macedonia
• For those unable to attend, you can follow the livestream here

Who:

• Matteo Mecacci, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission
• Gobnait Ní Mhuimneacáin, Head of the Congress Delegation
• Marta Temido, Head of the EP Delegation​

When:

• 15.00 local time (GMT +2) on 20 October 2025

Where:

• Platinum 1 meeting room, DoubleTree by Hilton, Bulevar ASNOM 17, Skopje

Registration:

• No registration is needed, but only questions from journalists will be taken

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Congress), and the European Parliament (EP). The mission totals 276 observers from 40 countries, made up of 254 ODIHR experts and long- and short-term observers, 15 parliamentarians and staff from the Congress, and 7 from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

Stephanie Poirel, Congress: +33 6 63 55 07 10 or stephanie.poirel@coe.int

Raffaele Luise, EP: +32 470952279 or raffaele.luise@europarl.europa.eu

599796 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 17 October 2025 - On the occasion of European Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OSR/CTHB), organized a conference in Sarajevo to raise awareness and promote stronger action against trafficking in human beings.

Bringing together representatives from the private sector, labour inspectorates, law enforcement, civil society, international organizations, and the diplomatic community, the conference emphasized shared responsibility and coordinated action to apply human rights due diligence and prevent trafficking and labour exploitation in supply chains.

“The OSCE has long recognized that combating trafficking in human beings requires a whole-of-society approach. This means that preventing trafficking in supply chains demands close co-operation among all relevant stakeholders. No actor can succeed alone,” said Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. “The private sector, national authorities, international organizations, civil society, and consumers each have a unique role to play in ensuring that supply chains are free from labour exploitation.”

Forced labour is a transnational problem deeply embedded in complex global supply chains, and no country can tackle it in isolation. Fabian Bonertz, Senior Advisor at the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, emphasized that recent developments in due diligence and forced labour regulations—such as those emerging from the European Union and other global frameworks—reflect a growing international commitment to ethical supply chains. “For countries seeking to enhance their trade standing, aligning with these standards offers not only moral but also market advantages. It’s not only the right thing to do; it’s smart business,” Bonertz said.

Highlighting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national efforts, Ermin Pešto, State Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration at the Ministry of Security of BiH, noted: “Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the beginning of the process of adopting a systemic approach to this issue. The Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, adopted by the Council of Ministers of BiH, foresees specific measures that we will implement in the coming period. A special focus will be on the involvement of government institutions, such as public procurement agencies and labour inspectorates, as well as chambers of commerce and the private sector, in order to create a comprehensive and sustainable response to this problem.”

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue working with partners to strengthen prevention, enhance protection mechanisms, and promote ethical and transparent business practices that safeguard human rights and dignity.

599781 Maid Konjhodžić Edita Buçaj

Prishtinë / Priština, 17 October 2025

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo handed over 200 fire extinguishers to collective housing buildings in Ulpiana and Sunny Hill neighbourhoods of Prishtinë/Priština municipality.

This initiative, implemented in co-operation with the Local Public Safety Committee (LPSC) Ulpiana and Sunny Hill neighbourhoods, aimed to improve fire safety and preparedness in the community, and is part of wider Mission efforts to support community safety initiatives by LPSCs.

These two neighbourhoods consist of many buildings with outdated and poorly maintained electrical installations and the lack of fire exit stairs, significantly increasing the risk of fire, thus making the donation essential for improving residents’ safety and preventing potential fire hazards.

In addition to the equipment donation, the initiative included training sessions delivered by local firefighters to teach the residents how to safely use fire extinguishers and assess when it is safe to intervene during a fire emergency.

“Our projects in support to LPSCs focus on addressing the priority needs of local communities, including vulnerable groups such as women, youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, and non-majority communities”, said Bertram Welsing, Director of the Department for Security and Public Safety in OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “Ultimately, they aim to help establish sustainable partnerships and ensure the effectiveness and credibility of LPSCs.”

LPSCs play a crucial role in enhancing collaboration between the police and communities by addressing local safety concerns and working to improve the overall quality of life across Kosovo.

For many years, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has worked closely with the LPSCs to improve community safety, strengthen police-community partnerships, and tackle security issues at the local level.

599766 Forum participants gathered for a group photo. Mailuu-Suu, 17 october 2025.

Mailuu-Suu, 16–17 October 2025 - The OSCE, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Mailuu-Suu Mayor’s Office, and with financial support from the European Union, organized the Forum “Development of Mailuu-Suu through Sustainable Tourism.”

The Forum emphasized the role of sustainable tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification and community development in Mailuu-Suu, a town historically known for its uranium legacy. By promoting eco-tourism and cultural heritage, the initiative aims to create new income opportunities, attract visitors, and support a positive transformation of the city’s image.

The event served as a platform for practical dialogue among mayors, local government officials, civil society representatives, and entrepreneurs from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Participants discussed the establishment of a cooperative network among Kyrgyz settlements located near uranium legacy sites to strengthen cross-border cooperation, share experiences, and mobilize investment. Concrete proposals included developing joint eco-routes, improving local infrastructure, and promoting the region as a sustainable tourism destination in southern Kyrgyzstan.

As part of the Forum, participants joined a “Top Secret” city tour showcasing Mailuu-Suu’s natural beauty, rich industrial history, and evolving tourism infrastructure. Local guides and businesses presented tourism opportunities, while participants also observed ongoing remediation work at former uranium sites, highlighting how environmental recovery and sustainable tourism can go hand in hand. Resolution of the Forum has been adopted by the participants which focuses on short and mid-term action plan to develop tourism sector in Mailuu-Suu in 2025-2030. 

The Forum was organized in cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for Mountain Regions Development, the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Jalal-Abad region, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and the Aarhus Centre in Osh.

The OSCE–UNDP project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia – Phase III” aims to reduce environmental and socio-economic risks associated with uranium legacy sites through inclusive dialogue, public participation, and sustainable development measures. This joint initiative builds on previous cooperation to enhance safety and resilience in vulnerable communities across Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

About the European UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries, founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights. Globally, the EU promotes the sustainable development of societies, the environment, and economies, ensuring that progress benefits all.