New project: Monitoring and supporting the Western Balkans’ EU convergence
23 January 2025
Official launch of an exciting new project to facilitate the EU convergence of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia, funded by the Open Society Foundation – Western Balkans
image credit: wiiw
On 19 December 2024, the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) hosted a kick-off meeting at its premises in Vienna to officially launch an exciting new project: “Monitoring and Supporting Western Balkan Convergence with the European Union”. The project is being jointly coordinated by wiiw and the Slovenia-based think tank Think Europe and is funded by the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF-WB).
In addition to wiiw, Think Europe, and the Open Society Foundation – Western Balkans, the initiative brings together six local partners representing each of the Western Balkan countries:
- Albania – Independent EU and Policy Development Expert Dritan Shano
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Centre for Policy and Governance
- Kosovo – Riinvest Institute
- Montenegro – Institut Alternativa
- North Macedonia – Association for Research and Analysis (ZMAI)
- Serbia – Institute for Development and Innovation
The project aims to accelerate the economic, social and institutional convergence of the Western Balkans with the EU. This will be achieved through the development of a comprehensive convergence database and index, supported by an interactive dashboard and annual reports to monitor progress across the region. The initiative will also deliver scenario analyses, tailored policy recommendations and active promotion campaigns to help advance and enhance EU-related reforms and integration efforts.
The first outputs – including the publication of the convergence database, the launch of the interactive dashboard, and the release of the first annual convergence report – are expected in autumn 2025.
This project aspires to become a flagship initiative that is recognised not only in the Western Balkan countries but also across EU capitals. Its long-term vision is to evolve into a highly regarded and sustainable effort, contributing meaningfully to the Western Balkans’ path towards EU membership in the years ahead.