📋 Tender Overview
The Regional Cooperation Council was officially launched in 2008 as the successor to the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. The Berlin Process in 2014 gave a new impetus to the regional cooperation and positioned the Council as a medium for communication between the Western Balkan and the EU. It represents an important tool for fostering the stability in the region by bringing together 46 countries, international organisations and banks, mainly from the EU, South East Europe and Western Balkans.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Europe
Governance
Migration
Public sector policy
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
Decentralisation
15.10.2023 - 31.12.2026
CHF 210’000
The project in brief
Background For many years and determined by subsequent governments, the priority of foreign policy of the six Western Balkan countries has been their accession to the European Union. In recent years, this process has slowed down. Despite the renewed commitment by the EU to the region, concrete accession perspectives remain uncertain. Given the continued political tensions in the Western Balkan, the promotion of regional cooperation is of outmost importance.
Objectives With its contribution to the Regional Cooperation Council, Switzerland promotes regional ownership of national and regional reform processes, while stimulating prosperity and growth as well as advancing European integration of the Western Balkan region.
Target groups Direct beneficiary is the Secretariat of the Regional Cooperation Council in Sarajevo. Intermediary beneficiaries are the participating States from the South Eastern Europe region. End beneficiaries are the citizens of the Western Balkan countries who benefit from the easing of travel and business barriers in the region, regionally aligned public policies and tangible steps towards EU accession.
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1: The RCC, as a respected regional actor, contributes to the political cooperation and regional security and fosters the dialogue and cooperation among the member countries. Outcome 2: Joint regional interventions contribute to the alignment of the member countries with the EU standards and regulations and enhance the regional economic integration.
Results Expected results: The South Eastern Europe 2030 Strategy is a joint call for action by all participating economies. It seeks to promote the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the region. The Western Balkan countries have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, by endorsing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkan. It also aims to unlock circular economy, combat pollution and promotes green energy transition. The Western Balkan economies are expected to participate more in EU frameworks and initiatives in the area of digital skills and strengthen their cyber security. The overall competitiveness of the region is to improve, via investment, policy reforms and the development of in
