Participating in SEEDIG: Internet Governance in Southeast Europe

In early 2025, I participated in SEEDIG, the Southeastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance. It was a gathering of policymakers, tech professionals, civil society members, and young advocates from the Balkans, all focused on shaping how the internet is governed in our region.

What Is Internet Governance?

Internet governance isn't about one government controlling the web. It's about the frameworks, policies, and norms that shape how the internet functions, things like data privacy, content moderation, cybersecurity, digital rights, and access to information.

In Southeast Europe, these questions matter more than ever as the region works toward EU integration and digital transformation.

Key Discussions at SEEDIG

The conversations ranged from technical to political:

• Digital rights: How do we protect privacy and free expression online?
• Cybersecurity cooperation: How can Balkan countries collaborate on cyber threats?
• Platform accountability: What responsibilities do social media companies have in our region?
• Youth participation: How do we get young people involved in these discussions?

Why SEEDIG Matters

The Balkans are often left out of broader European tech policy conversations. SEEDIG creates a space for regional voices to be heard and for countries to collaborate on shared challenges.

For me, it was an opportunity to connect with people doing meaningful work in internet governance and to better understand how digital policy is shaped at a regional level.

The internet affects everyone, but not everyone gets a say in how it's governed. Programs like SEEDIG are changing that, one conversation at a time.