Comparing Reform Agendas: Overview of Anti-Corruption Measures Among Western Balkan Countries
Comparing Reform Agendas: Overview of Anti-Corruption Measures Among Western Balkan Countries

Author(s): Miloš Pavković
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Corruption - Transparency - Anti-Corruption
Published by: Centar za evropske politike CEP
Keywords: anti-corruption reforms; Western Balkans; EU integration; reform and growth facility; rule of law; political will; governance accountability
Summary/Abstract: Over the years of a stalled enlargement process and very slow and limited effect of reforms, the EU has become aware of inherent challenges. This led to the introduction of the Reform and Growth Facility (RFG) in 2024 – a new instrument of gradual integration aimed at revitalising the Western Balkans’ (WB) reforms and membership perspective. By allocating EUR 6 billion and explicitly linking access to funding to the fulfilment of reform commitments, the essential goal of the Facility was to incentivise fundamental reforms. As the rule of law reforms lie at the very heart of its RGF, it becomes particularly important to analyse whether Western Balkan governments’ formal commitments under the Reform Agendas translate into practice. Rather than assessing the rule of law agenda in its entirety, this paper singles out anti-corruption, as progress in this area serves as a critical proxy for overall governance and adherence to EU values. By comparatively examining this component of Reform Agendas, the analysis aims to identify emerging trends, existing gaps, and examples of promising practice.

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