A Strategic Approach to Macroregional Collaboration in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkan (WB) region stands at a pivotal moment in its journey toward European Union (EU) integration. As policymakers and practitioners explore innovative pathways to accelerate accession, macroregional collaboration emerges as a powerful mechanism to build stronger ties between WB countries and EU member states.
This form of cooperation fosters both formal and informal connections among public authorities, civil society, and private actors from EU and non-EU countries. These relationships not only support joint projects and policy alignment but also facilitate the gradual adoption of EU norms and procedures by non-member states.
For the WB region, this form of cooperation offers tangible benefits such as:
- Enhanced political stability
- Reduced ethno-national tensions
- Resolution of territorial disputes
- Increased economic growth and development
Through active engagement in macroregional initiatives, WB countries deepen their integration into the broader European framework and move closer to meeting EU accession criteria.
This policy brief presents a strategic framework for expanding macroregional cooperation across Europe, with a particular focus on advancing EU accession, fostering political stability, and supporting sustainable development in the WB region.
The brief draws on a robust combination of academic and policy literature, complemented by primary data collected in 2024. Nineteen stakeholders from across the WB region, including representatives from national governments, local authorities, NGOs, academia, and international organizations, contributed through semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
As the Western Balkans continue their path toward EU accession, macroregional collaboration must be leveraged not just as a policy tool, but as a foundation for building trust, stability, and shared prosperity.
To read the full policy brief click here.
