The development of civil society in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey (WBT) was predetermined by
the region’s historical, political, economic and cultural development. Vast majority of the countries of the
Western Balkans were under socialist rule and they are still in transition into full democratic systems. The
evolution of the civil society started in the 1990’s and has up until now significantly progressed in the
development of the enabling legal environment for the operation of the civil society.