Grassroots Solidarities Along the Balkan Routes: Building Alliances and Networks Against the Border Regime

The present contribution critically examines grassroots solidarity initiatives along the Balkan Routes, focusing on their dual role in providing essential support to people on the move while simultaneously contesting exclusionary EU migration policies. Drawing on extensive and engaged ethnographic research conducted in Greece, Bulgaria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the study explores the diverse practices employed by local and international grassroots organizations, collectives, and individuals, focusing particularly on subtle forms of mutual aid and care, including the distribution of food and non-food items, medical and legal support, recreational activities, and the activation of aid networks. Though not always overtly confrontational, these initiatives play a crucial role in resisting exclusive policies and challenging repressive border regimes. Specifically, the study emphasizes the relational dynamics that shape the effectiveness and political impact of solidarity efforts. First, it explores how grassroots actors navigate criminalization and repression from institutions, revealing the strategies employed to operate within increasingly hostile environments. Second, it argues that collaborations, alliances, and networks between solidarity actors are vital to enhancing the transformative potential of these initiatives, even when their actions are non-contentious. Finally, the study examines interactions between people on the move and their supporters, focusing on how they navigate intersectional inequalities, disagreements, and differences. By addressing power dynamics within solidarity practices, the research underscores the importance of fostering dialogue and mutual understanding. These processes are crucial in building alternative forms of recognition, inclusion, and alliances, offering new ways to challenge exclusionary migration and border regimes.