Op-ed by RCC's Deputy Secretary General, Arslan Umut Ergezer on human security and trust in institutions in the Western Balkans
29 April 2025 | ARTICLE
The op-ed by RCC's Deputy Secretary General Arslan Umut Ergezer explores the intricate relationship between human security and trust in institutions in the Western Balkans, emphasizing how the two are interdependent and crucial for regional stability and development. It argues that low trust in formal institutions - stemming from perceptions of incompetence, corruption, and inequality - undermines individuals’ feelings of security and fuels reliance on informal networks, which may include negative practices like corruption. Using data from the RCC’s SecuriMeter and global sources, the article reveals that many citizens in the Western Balkans feel insecure, particularly due to economic disparities, organized crime, and ethnic tensions. While trust remains highest in personal and community networks, confidence in political and judicial institutions is low, although EU and NATO are seen as trustworthy even among the insecure. The paper highlights the importance of regional cooperation and the EU integration process as key tools for rebuilding institutional trust and strengthening human security through inclusive governance, social protection, and resilience to both traditional and non-traditional threats.