Mining & Real Estate in the Balkans: Is Corrosive Capital Western now?

Mining & Real Estate in the Balkans: Is Corrosive Capital Western now?

Author: Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group May 14, 2026 Duration: 47:06

There are growing tensions around mining, environmental justice, and large-scale investment projects in the Western Balkans. As the region becomes increasingly important for Europe’s green transition and real estate development, local communities are raising concerns about environmental degradation, opaque decision-making, and the weakening of democratic safeguards.


The episode explores cases ranging from Rio Tinto’s lithium project in Serbia and the Vareš mining project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Belgrade Waterfront and Velika Plaža in Montenegro, asking how these projects reshape local governance and public trust — and whether corrosive forms of capital are no longer associated only with non-Western actors.


The discussion features Vedran Džihić (Senior Researcher at OIIP and BiEPAG member), Barbara Frey (MSCA PF Fellow at the University of Rijeka), and Iliriana Gjoni (Research Analyst at Carnegie Europe), and is moderated by Tena Prelec (Assistant Professor at the University of Rijeka and BiEPAG member).


Referenced reports:

Džihić, V. and Kmezić, M., "Mining in the Western Balkans: How to counter authoritarian extractivism?", BiEPAG, March 2026. https://www.biepag.eu/publication/mining-in-the-western-balkans-how-to-counter-authoritarian-extractivism


Gjoni, I. et al. "Rules or Deals? The EU’s Challenge in Regulating Corrosive Capital in the Western Balkans", Carnegie Europe, December 2025. https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/research/2025/12/rules-or-deals-the-eus-challenge-in-regulating-corrosive-capital-in-the-western-balkans


Prelec, T. et al., “Foreign Influence Challenges: Corrosive Capital and Disinformation in the Western Balkans and Associated Trio”, GEO-POWER-EU, November 2025. https://geo-power.eu/portfolio/item/d3-3-i-foreign-influence-challenges-corrosive-capital-and-disinformation-in-the-western-balkans-and-associated-trio/


Bassuener, K. et al., “The Vareš Mining Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Case Study of Corrosive Capital in an Already Corroded Political Economy”, GEO-POWER-EU, April 2026. https://geo-power.eu/news/d3-3-i-the-vares-mining-project-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-a-case-study-of-corrosive-capital-in-an-already-corroded-political-economy/


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For anyone trying to look beyond the headlines from Southeast Europe, Seriously Balkans-The BiEPAG Talks provides essential context. This isn't just a news recap. Each episode digs into the political, social, and cultural forces shaping the region, moving past simplistic narratives to explore the deeper currents. The conversation is driven by the experts and analysts of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group, who bring their firsthand research and policy experience directly to the microphone. You'll hear detailed breakdowns of unfolding events, but also thoughtful discussions on newly published studies and reports that might otherwise fly under the radar. The aim is to connect the dots between immediate developments and their broader historical or institutional underpinnings. Whether it's a shift in governance, a cultural debate, or a complex international negotiation affecting the Balkans, this podcast serves as a rigorous, accessible resource. It’s for listeners who appreciate that the region's story is rarely black and white, preferring analysis that embraces its complexities. Tune in for a regular dose of substance, where the focus is consistently on understanding the 'why' behind the 'what'. The production offers a sustained, serious look at a dynamic part of the world, making it a standout for informed commentary.
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Seriously Balkans - The BiEPAG Talks
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