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Author: WeBalkans

EU and Germany launch new €14.6 million project developing circular economy in Albania

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The European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) launched the new “EU for Circular Economy and Circular Economy for Sustainable Urban Development” project today.

 

Implemented by GIZ Albania, and working in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania, the 3.5 year, 14.6 M EUR project will help Albania reduce waste and transition to a circular economy model by assisting Albania to: Develop an improved and EU-compliant waste management legal framework including training on implementation, enforcement and monitoring; Introduce green business models such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in three waste streams and support circular economy measures in 15 partner municipalities, including waste management services, establishing and improving recycling measures, such as Composting Plants and Material Recovery Facilities.

 

The project will work with businesses, non-profit organizations, and academia to nurture innovative, gender-responsive green products, services, and circular business models.

 

Present at the launching ceremony, the Minister of Tourism and Environment Ms. Mirela Kumbaro and the German Ambassador to Albania Mr. Karlfried Bergner welcomed the new project that will significantly contribute to implement EU environmental standards and circular economy principles in Albania.

Healthy Life Becomes a Habit

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An EU funded programme supports a project that offers outdoor sports and recreational activities for young people.

The Universal Sports School “Spartakus” was established in September 2021 in response to a genuine need for providing children in Gacko with a stimulating environment conducive to their well-rounded psycho-physical development. The organisation’s primary objectives are centred around nurturing the comprehensive development of children between the ages of 3 and 12. All activities are designed to foster the holistic growth of each individual. The programme encompasses facets that contribute to children’s psycho-physical well-being, deformity prevention, education, and the enhancement of both motor and cognitive skills. In addition to these components, there is a strong focus on cultivating socially desirable skills in every child. The mission is to offer children a diverse range of activities to ensure their proper physical development, as well as activities that will fortify their mental resilience.

“In today’s world of rapid modernization, extensive screen time, and pervasive digitization, we have witnessed the consequences of growing generations who are increasingly alienated, socially detached, and inadequately guided. These realizations have motivated us to promote the concept of a healthy lifestyle through a variety of activities that reconnect children and youth with nature and with each other, which is of paramount importance.”

The “Healthy Life Becomes a Habit” project, initiated by the Universal Sports School “Spartakus” in partnership with the “Volujak” mountaineering society, has recently been launched in the Gacko municipality. This project is designed to offer outdoor sports and recreational activities for young people, aiming to foster physical and mental well-being while instilling values such as responsibility and a deep appreciation for nature. The project is targeted at individuals aged 5 to 30.

Nada Jovović from the “Spartakus” sports school underscores the importance of nurturing a healthy younger generation within society. She explains that the project was initiated with the goal of ingraining a culture of health and well-being in the young population from an early age. “In today’s world of rapid modernization, extensive screen time, and pervasive digitization, we have witnessed the consequences of growing generations who are increasingly alienated, socially detached, and inadequately guided. They have become physically inactive and mentally fragile. These realizations have motivated us to promote the concept of a healthy lifestyle through a variety of activities that reconnect children and youth with nature and with each other, which is of paramount importance,” says Nada.

The “Healthy Life Becomes a Habit” project has received support from the EU-funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2).

The project’s activities have been thoughtfully structured to create a seamless progression, with each subsequent activity building upon the previous ones. Some of the activities that have already been successfully executed include a running school, workshops focusing on the significance of first aid for safe outdoor activities, sessions on outdoor orientation and navigation, a hiking school, an outdoor fitness training programme, a sports and recreational event known as “Phone-Free Day,” and more. Conversely, the upcoming agenda includes exciting activities such as “Clicker and Elastic Band Games,” two outdoor fitness training sessions, a hiking expedition, an obstacle race, and another running school.

“Through our project initiatives, we’re reaffirming that individuals in smaller local communities aren’t passive or apathetic; rather, they lack opportunities to make their leisure time more meaningful.”

About the project

The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) is a continuation of EU-supported initiatives – Local Democracy Strengthening Project (LOD, 2009-2016) and the subsequently expanded Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans (ReLOaD, 2017-2020). As the previous ones, this project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). ReLOaD2 is implemented in the Western Balkans, in particular Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

Nada highlights that the response and enthusiasm from the local community towards all aspects of the “Healthy Life Becomes a Habit” project have exceeded their expectations. She comments, “Through our project initiatives, we’re reaffirming that individuals in smaller local communities aren’t passive or apathetic; rather, they lack opportunities to make their leisure time more meaningful.”

Nada goes on to emphasize the project’s broader significance. She states, “What’s truly important is that, following the completion of this project, there will be a significantly larger number of young people and children who will develop a profound appreciation for nature.” Moreover, she anticipates that their families and parents will also spend more time in natural surroundings.

Creative FLIP organises conference to showcase its results

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On 15 November 2023, Creative FLIP organises a conference at Atelier des Tanneurs, in Brussels.

 

“FLIP forward: Culture & Creativity Beyond Boundaries” will be an opportunity for participants from various cultural and creative sectors to exchange ideas about the achievements of the project and the next steps.

 

The conference will showcase the main results that the Creative FLIP Project produced in the past two years. Among the main outputs is the CreativesUnite platform, which has been created by organisation in the cultural and creative sectors, at the initiative of the European Commission. It gathers in one place all initiatives, information and tools related to the cultural and creative sectors in the EU and beyond.

EIB and European Commission to triple advisory support for the Western Balkans under the JASPERS programme

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission announced a new agreement enabling the Bank to triple its advisory assistance for the Western Balkans and potentially Türkiye at the JASPERS Stakeholders’ Meeting in Brussels. The support will be delivered under the institutions’ joint JASPERS programme, entailing the largest ever budget for technical assistance of up to €20 million and enhanced teams of experts over the next six years.  
“This new agreement commits record resources to support the EU enlargement process by helping the countries prepare vital strategies, plans and investments, while strengthening their project preparation and implementation capacities. This increased EIB advisory support will allow our partners in the Western Balkans to efficiently implement more projects under the EU Economic and Investment Plan, following EIB’s policy priorities.” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska. “Under our dedicated arm for activities outside the EU — EIB Global — with EIB advisory services and the European Commission, we are determined to ensure a sustainable future for people in the EU neighbourhood countries, helping them advance with reforms, economic growth and climate action.”  
Since 2005, the EIB’s JASPERS advisory programme has worked in 27 countries and supported the preparation of hundreds of projects worth over €317 billion in the areas of sustainable transport, environmental protection, innovation, healthcare and the green transition both within and outside the European Union.

School Bell Rings for the Second Time

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Education and Returnee Employability in North Macedonia.

Over the past few weeks, Ajnur Ibraimovski, a 37-year-old returnee to Prilep, a municipality in North Macedonia, has been actively attending classes at the local public elementary school. Alongside 21 other classmates, all returnees to Prilep, Ajnur is enrolled in a 6-month program that will enable him to complete his primary school education. Reflecting on his past, he explains, “I attended school up to the 4th grade… but due to financial constraints at home, I had to leave school to find work.”

 

Ajnur’s quest to escape poverty also led him to attempt migration to Germany, where he hoped for better job prospects and quality of life. After two years abroad, he returned to Prilep. However, finding a stable job back home proved challenging. In North Macedonia, formal employment requires the completion of primary education. In Prilep, where companies are actively seeking workers due to specific labor market dynamics, Ajnur’s lack of completed primary education posed a significant barrier to formal employment. According to a recent survey, nearly 30% of employers in the region reported difficulties in finding qualified workers. Ajnur elaborates, “Companies are seeking individuals who have completed their schooling.”

“Companies are seeking individuals who have completed their schooling.”

After his return, Ajnur secured a short-term position at a company in Prilep, where he now has the opportunity to transition into a more stable role as a forklift operator. However, to pursue this job, he must ensure that his educational qualifications align with the labor regulations in North Macedonia. Consequently, Ajnur made the decision to return to school. He is currently participating in an adult education program in the municipality of Prilep, alongside other returnees who share similar experiences of leaving school prematurely. This common denominator unites them on their diverse life paths. The adult education program has been purposefully designed to assist adult returnees in completing their elementary education upon their return. Supported by the EU-funded Regional Returnee Reintegration (RRR) Project, implemented by UNDP, 56 adult returnees in North Macedonia have gone back to school, now working hard  to complete  their primary education and improve their employment prospects.

 

On the other hand, child returnees encounter distinct education-related challenges upon their return. These challenges may involve administrative processes related to the recognition of their prior education, as well as adaptation difficulties in a new school environment. If left unaddressed, these challenges can result in children either repeating grades or dropping out of school altogether. Such a decision would have a profound impact on their future lives. To mitigate these challenges, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with the support of the RRR project, are assisting returnees in accessing various government services upon their return, including enrolling their children in local schools. To date, the RRR project has facilitated over 380 returnees in North Macedonia in accessing a range of government services.

“First and foremost, I aspire to become a literate individual. Obtaining a certificate for completing primary education will open up numerous opportunities for me. It will also enable me to expand my knowledge and provide assistance to my children in their studies. I won’t miss out on job opportunities as I did before due to my lack of education.”

About the project

The Reintegration of Returnees in the Western Balkans project is focused on addressing key barriers for socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable returnees in the Western Balkans.  The project is part of the EU Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) II Multi-Country Action, EU support to Fundamental Rights of Roma Community, and Reintegration of Returnees, entrusted to UNDP, World Bank, and the Council of Europe.   In all Western Balkan economies, the project assesses policy and institutional gaps and facilitates a dialogue on mechanisms for implementation and monitoring of reintegration policies and programmes. In Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, the project implements local level programmes and tests innovative solutions for sustainable socio-economic reintegration of returnees.

Metula Ismailoska, a 29-year-old returnee from Germany, found inspiration to return to education through her school-age children. She had left school early, marrying at a very young age, and subsequently, with her husband, embarked on a journey from North Macedonia in search of a better life abroad within the European Union. After their EU sojourn, Metula, along with her family of six children, returned to Prilep. Acknowledging the vital role of education, Metula is determined to ensure her children complete their schooling. She elaborates on why and how she decided to return to school and participate in the program supported by the EU and UNDP: “I didn’t have prior experience with studying… So, through my children, I discovered that there is an educational opportunity for me as well.” Discussing the significance of this education for her, Metula emphasizes, “First and foremost, I aspire to become a literate individual. Obtaining a certificate for completing primary education will open up numerous opportunities for me. It will also enable me to expand my knowledge and provide assistance to my children in their studies. I won’t miss out on job opportunities as I did before due to my lack of education.”

The absence of formal education stands out as a major contributor to the numerous challenges faced by many returnees in North Macedonia, a group predominantly comprised of Roma individuals. As per a 2022 survey conducted by the RRR project, 57% of Roma in Prilep lack formal education. Echoing the experiences of Ajnur and Metula, the life stories of many returnees reflect how this educational deficiency perpetuates their social and economic disadvantages. In North Macedonia, completing primary education is not only a prerequisite for formal employment but also for participating in the government’s active labor market initiatives. Consequently, despite evolving labor market dynamics and increased job opportunities, returnees without primary education remain excluded from these employment prospects. The 2022 RRR assessment found that 84% of those surveyed were unaware of government employment measures provided by the Employment Agency, despite 70% of them being registered as active job seekers.

Hence, even in the presence of labor market openings and government programs, returnees lacking primary education are unable to avail of these opportunities. Early school dropout forces individuals into informal, insecure employment. Education assumes a pivotal role in the lives of returnees, encompassing both adults and those of school-going age. This is precisely why harnessing the transformative potential of education for facilitating a successful return home has remained a central theme in the EU-funded, UNDP-implemented Regional Reintegration of Returnees project.

Statement by President von der Leyen on the 2023 Enlargement Package and the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

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Good afternoon,

 

Today, the College adopted the enlargement report. The protests on Maidan started now ten years ago. The Maidan protests, where people were shot because they wrapped themselves in a European flag. And now, ten years later, today is a historic day because today the Commission recommends that the Council opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Commission also recommends the opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. And the Commission recommends that the Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country on the understanding that certain reform steps are taken.

 

Let me focus on these four countries: First on Ukraine. Ukraine continues to face tremendous hardship and tragedy provoked by Russia’s war of aggression. And yet, Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country, even as they are fighting a war that is existential for them. Ukraine has completed – I was there over the weekend and was convinced of it – well over 90% of the necessary steps that we set out last year in our report. Just to give you an idea: Main progress has been achieved on the constitutional justice reform; the selection of the High Council of Justice; the Anti-Corruption Programme; progress against money laundering; important measures to curb the oligarchs’ grip on the public life; the new media law; and progress on national minorities. The remaining reforms are already on their way – that is good –, and the Commission commends these efforts. On this basis, we have recommended today that the Council opens accession negotiations. We also recommend that the Council adopts a negotiating framework once Ukraine has carried out the ongoing reforms. On that, we will then report to the Council by March 2024.

 

Moldova is not facing a kinetic war, but Moldova is the subject of constant destabilisation efforts against its democracy. It also suffers the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Moldova is welcoming a large number of Ukrainian refugees. Moldova is facing disruptions and blackmail related to its energy system. But like Ukraine, Moldova has undertaken significant reform efforts, for example in the area of the judiciary. It has stepped up considerably the investigative work related to corruption and organised crime. It has made legislative changes to fight vested interests. Here, too, the Commission recommends that the Council opens accession negotiations. Some remaining measures have to be finished. On this basis, here too, the Council could then finalise the negotiating framework. And the Commission will report on the progress to the Council by March 2024.

 

Now on Bosnia and Herzegovina: we recognise a number of positive political and legal steps. For example, the swift entry into office of a new Council of Ministers in January 2023; the commitment of political parties to the goal of accession, have brought without any doubt positive results. There is progress in the fight against organised crime, money laundering and terrorism, for example. But we also note with concern the various unconstitutional laws adopted by the representatives of the Republika Srpska entity. Against this backdrop, the Commission recommends to the Council the opening of accession negotiations once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. And here too, the Commission will report to the Council on progress by March 2024.

 

Finally, with regard to Georgia, here the College fully supports the genuine aspirations of the overwhelming majority of its citizens to join the European Union. These aspirations need to be better mirrored by the authorities who should engage more with the opposition and civil society on matters of national interest. And further progress is needed by the government on the 12 priorities identified last year before candidate status can be granted. Now the Commission also acknowledges a number of positive steps. For example, the opposition’s scrutiny on parliamentary work has been increased; an action plan for de-oligarchisation was adopted; the personalised approach was withdrawn; and the Anti-corruption Bureau was set up. Therefore, the Commission recommends granting candidate status to Georgia on the understanding that the government takes important reform steps.

 

In general, to conclude, enlargement is a vital policy for the European Union. This has been my main message since the beginning of my mandate. Completing our Union is the call of history, it is the natural horizon of the European Union. The citizens of countries that want to join are Europeans – just like those of today’s Union. Because we all know that geography, history and common values bind us. So, completing our Union also has a strong economic and geopolitical logic. If you look at the history of the last enlargement rounds, you see that they have shown that there are enormous benefits both for those countries which access the European Union and the European Union itself. Basically, we all win. You can see that for the new members, their citizens and businesses, there is access to our four freedoms, access to our Single Market, citizens can travel, businesses have new markets. And all of this is a powerful lever to increase prosperity and therefore stability in these countries.

 

But for the European Union itself, the advantages are also very clear and impressive. The expansion of our Single Market brings economies of scale for our businesses, increases our competitiveness and therefore the strength of our Single Market. Our history of enlargement has been an unprecedented economic success story. But if you also look at the global attractiveness of the European Union, enlargement has increased it. And it has, of course, also increased our leverage as a trading partner. For example, the common purchasing of gas at 27 makes a huge difference for the success in this area. Enlargement is also an investment in our security. Because integrating new members in the European Union also shields them from foreign interference, and it therefore stabilises our neighbourhood. In times where we see the rules-based international order increasingly called into question, of course a larger and stronger European Union gives us a stronger voice in the world. In sum, enlargement is a unique opportunity both for the countries aspiring to join the European Union and, of course, for us. It is a driver for peace and prosperity that make our Union so special.

 

Thank you.

Commission adopts 2023 Enlargement package

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Today, the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and for the first time also Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on their respective paths towards accession to the European Union. In particular, the report focuses on the progress in the implementation of fundamental reforms, as well as on providing clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead. Accession is and will remain a merit-based process, fully dependent on the objective progress achieved by each country.  
Western Balkans  
Progress on EU accession reforms has largely stalled, as Montenegro has suffered from deep polarisation and political instability in the reporting period. The EU welcomes the constitution of the new parliament and the formation of the government, which we expect to swiftly demonstrate its capacity and commitment to Montenegro’s EU path and deliver on EU accession related reforms. Overall, progress is in the accession negotiations will depend on reforms in the area of rule of law (i.e. meeting the interim benchmarks set out in Chapters 23 and 24). Montenegro continues to fully align with the Common Foreign Security Policy.  
Serbia continued the implementation of EU accession related reforms, including in the area of rule of law. Serbia started implementing the 2022 constitutional amendments to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and adopted new media legislation. The implementation of the latter can significantly improve the regulatory environment. However, further amendments will be needed to be fully in line with the EU acquis and European standards. Serbia needs to improve, as a matter of priority, its alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including restrictive measures and statements on Russia. Further work and political commitment are also needed to implement reforms in the area of rule of law. The Commission’s assessment remains that Serbia has technically fulfilled the benchmarks to open cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth). Serbia must fully cooperate and take all the necessary steps to ensure accountability for the violent attack on Kosovo Police of 24 September and the attack on KFOR on 29 May. On the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, whilst an Agreement was reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, both Serbia and Kosovo are yet to start the implementation of their respective obligations, which are binding for the Parties and a key part of their European paths.  
In North Macedonia, the authorities have consistently stated that EU accession remains their strategic goal. North Macedonia has continued to fully align with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The country has also made some progress in in the area of justice, freedom and security, including the fight against organised crime and the management of migration. As a negotiating country, North Macedonia needs to deliver on the implementation of EU related reforms, including in the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime, public administration reform, including management of public finances, and public procurement. North Macedonia has committed to launch and achieve the relevant constitutional changes as a matter of priority, with a view to include citizens who are part of other people. The screening process of the EU acquis has progressed smoothly, and the authorities have shown a high level of commitment. The Commission presented to Council the screening reports on the “fundamentals cluster” for North Macedonia in July and looks forward to a swift follow up, with a view to opening negotiations on this cluster by the end of the year.  
Albania continued to demonstrate its determination to implement EU reforms and to make progress in reforms under the “fundamentals cluster”. Continued full alignment with EU’s CFSP was also a strong signal of the country’s strategic choice of EU accession. Further efforts are needed on freedom of expression, minority issues and property rights, as well as in key areas of the rule of law, such as the fight against corruption and organised crime. The screening process of the EU acquis has progressed smoothly, and the authorities have shown a high level of commitment. The Commission presented to Council the screening reports on the “fundamentals cluster” for Albania in July and looks forward to a swift follow up. It aims to open accession negotiations on cluster 1 (fundamentals) by the end of the year.  
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, last year’s candidate status brought a much-needed positive dynamic. A new government has been set up swiftly after elections and has started to deliver on reforms, specifically through the amendments introducing integrity checks in the judiciary. Yet, further efforts are needed. This includes adopting important rule of law and judicial reforms and moving forward with constitutional and electoral reforms, which are of utmost priority to ensure equal rights for all citizens. It is also important to preserve the constitutional order of the country. The secessionist and authoritarian measures introduced in the Republika Srpska entity are not in line with the EU path. Further efforts are required for Bosnia and Herzegovina to fulfil the key priorities set out in the Commission’s Opinion on its member application. Therefore, the Commission recommends the opening of EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.  
Kosovo remained committed to its European path. It continued to voluntarily fully align with the EU’s CFSP, including on condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to adopt restrictive measures against it. The reporting period witnessed legislative achievements, including an important electoral reform. However, more work needs to be done, including on the action plan on justice reforms. On 1 January 2024, visa liberalisation for Kosovo will enter into force. The situation in the north of Kosovo has been affected by several crises, the latest one being the violent attack against Kosovo police on 24 September 2023. On the normalisation of relations with Serbia, whilst an Agreement was reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, both Kosovo and Serbia are yet to start the implementation of their respective obligations, which are binding for the Parties and a key part of their European paths.  
Next steps
It is now for the Council to consider today’s recommendations of the Commission and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.

Commission presents a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans including €6 billion in grants and loans to accelerate economic convergence with the EU

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Today, the European Commission adopted a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of bringing some of the benefits of membership to the region in advance of accession, boost economic growth and accelerate much needed socio-economic convergence. The objective should be to enable partners to step up reforms and investments to significantly accelerate the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies. For this, a new €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans has been proposed for the period 2024-2027. Payments will happen only after the fulfilment of agreed reforms.

 

The new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is based on four pillars, aimed at:

 
  1. Enhancing economic integration with the European Union’s single market, subject to the Western Balkans aligning with single market rules and opening the relevant sectors and areas to all their neighbours at the same time, in line with the Common Regional Market. Seven priority actions are suggested:
 
    1. Free movement of goods;
    2. Free movement of services and workers;
    3. Access to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA);
    4. Facilitation of Road transport;
    5. Integration and de-carbonisation of Energy markets;
    6. Digital Single Market;
    7. Integration into industrial supply chain
 
  1. Boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market, based on EU rules and standards, which could potentially add 10% to their economies;
 
  1. Accelerating fundamental reforms, including on the fundamentals cluster, supporting the Western Balkans’ path towards EU membership, improving sustainable economic growth including through attracting foreign investments and strengthening regional stability;
 
  1. Increasing financial assistance to support the reforms through a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans for the period 2024-2027, a proposal for a new instrument worth €6 billion, consisting of €2 billion in grants and €4 billion in concessional loans, with payment conditioned on the Western Balkans’ partners fulfilling specific socio-economic and fundamental reforms.
 

As part of the Growth Plan, every Western Balkan partner will be invited to prepare a Reform Agenda based on existing recommendations including from the annual Enlargement Package and the countries’ Economic Reform Programmes (ERP). This Reform Agenda will be consulted with, assessed and adopted by the Commission.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “With today’s adoption of the new €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, we are bringing the Western Balkans economies closer to the EU. The potential of this Growth Plan is extraordinary. This Growth Plan could double the economy of the Western Balkans in the next 10 years. With its combination of reforms and investments, it will allow the Western Balkan to benefit soon from key areas of our single market,  including free movement of goods,  services and workers, the single euro payments area, transport, energy and the digital single market.”

 

Next steps

It is now for the European Parliament and the Council to examine the proposal for the Facility in the framework of the MFF mid-term review package. Once adopted, the six Western Balkans partners will be invited to submit their individual reform agendas laying out the socio-economic and fundamental reforms they will undertake to spur growth and convergence under the Growth Plan during the period of 2024 – 2027. Serbia and Kosovo need engage to constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue on normalisation of relations, led by the High Representative, as necessary pre-condition.

 

Background

 

Economic convergence is an essential element in getting the Western Balkan countries closer to the EU. Currently, the level of convergence between the Western Balkan partners and the EU is not progressing fast enough, with average GDP per capita in purchasing power for our Western Balkan partners standing at between 30% and 50% of the EU average.

Integration with the EU’s single market has been the main driver of economic growth for all countries that joined the EU. The positive impact on a country’s GDP and income levels that arise from the integration with the EU’s single market, has been clearly demonstrated in the past.

YEAs Organize Media Information Literacy Workshops in Serbia and Montenegro

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On October 24th and 25th, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) successfully conducted a series of Media Information Literacy (MIL) workshops in Novi Sad and Niš, Serbia, as well as in Podgorica, Montenegro. During these workshops, YEAs had the valuable opportunity to share their knowledge on media-related topics, journalism, and various aspects of media literacy with their peers. The events were made possible thanks to the dedication and efforts of Young European Ambassadors including Bojana Maraš, Anđela Micić, Maja Trajković, Anja Kafedžiska, Teodora Cekić, and Aleksandra Grbović Bitić.

Serbian YEAs Explore the EU-Funded Project at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences

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On October 27th, Serbian Young European Ambassadors (YEAs), Janja Jankovic (@janjajankovic) and Sava Dokmanovic (@sava_dok), embarked on a visit to the newly constructed Faculty of Organizational Sciences building (@fon_bg), a project jointly financed by the European Investment Bank. During their visit, Janja and Sava had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, which included modern classrooms, meeting rooms, amphitheaters, and advanced equipment. They engaged in discussions with both professors and students, delving into the positive impact the new building has had on the quality of education, enhancing the learning experience, and enriching everyday campus life.