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TV Show: The Benefits of the Growth Plan at Grasp: Civil Society, Reforms, and Accountability

Posted on by Reform Monitor

In this episode of The Benefits of the Growth Plan at Grasp, our panel dives deep into the implementation of the EU’s Western Balkans Growth Plan. Experts examine the real-world progress, key challenges in Reform Agendas (RA), and the role of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

Our project director, Simonida Kacarska, welcomes Dominik Hatiar, Milena Mihajlovic Denic, and Krisela Hackaj, as they unpack and discover how performance-based funding, civil society monitoring, and regional cooperation are shaping the path toward EU integration—and what lessons must be learned to ensure these benefits reach citizens across the region.

Third N-CoMER Meeting in Montenegro Focuses on Reform Agenda Implementation and Growth Plan Priorities

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The National Consultation Mechanism for the Reform Agenda (N-CoMER) held its third meeting in Montenegro on Friday, July 17. The session brought together representatives from civil society organizations and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro to review progress on the Reform Agenda, discuss methodologies for assessing results, and outline key upcoming steps in the process.

A central focus of the discussion was the need for progress reports on reform obligations to be grounded in precise and realistic evaluations. Participants pointed out that official reporting can occasionally depict progress more optimistically than actual on-the-ground reality warrants. The meeting also covered the status of funds tied to specific steps that were due before the expiration of the grace period in June, exploring whether those funds could still be approved.

The methodology for evaluating reform steps formed another key topic, specifically the distinction between qualitative and quantitative indicators:

  • Quantitative indicators: Participants noted that quantitative targets allow for clearer verification of achievement and offer room to apply partial fulfillment criteria where relevant.

  • Qualitative & legislative steps: In contrast, legislative and structural commitments are primarily evaluated on a binary basis—whether the specific step has been fully executed or not.

Looking ahead, the discussion turned to potential revisions of the Reform Agenda expected by the end of the year. These adjustments may introduce additional reform measures alongside reallocated funds freed up from other countries’ agreements. Representatives of the EU Delegation confirmed that new reform steps are already under consideration and being aligned with the Government of Montenegro. The underlying rationale for these new steps in Montenegro is to target areas where they can make the highest impact on the EU accession process and accelerate compliance with EU membership requirements.

Finally, participants highlighted the importance of establishing a more systematic framework for tracking results under the first two pillars of the Growth Plan:

  1. Integration with the EU single market

  2. Strengthening regional economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market

Given their potential to boost economic growth, participants emphasized the need for closer monitoring of regional obligations that depend on multi-country cooperation, as well as clearer public communication on the progress of infrastructure projects supported or financed under the Growth Plan.

The meeting took place within the framework of the “WB Reform and Growth Monitor” project, implemented by a regional consortium of civil society organizations: Institute Alternativa (Montenegro), European Policy Institute (North Macedonia), Centre for European Policy (Serbia), Transparency International (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Group for Legal and Political Studies (Kosovo), and Institute for Democracy and Mediation (Albania). The project is supported by the European Commission, and co-financed in Montenegro by the Government of Montenegro through the Ministry of Regional-Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations. 

Capacity building workshop in Tirana brought together the project partners and grantees

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From 1 to 3 July 2026, the Reform Monitor team hosted a regional workshop for grantees at the Tirana International Hotel in Albania. The event brought together grantees, project partners, and guest experts from across the Western Balkans for three days of discussion, capacity-building, and joint planning.

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks and an overview of the Reform Monitor project from Sotiraq Hroni, Director of IDM, and Simonida Kacarska, Director of EPI, who were joined by Dominik Hatiar, Head of Sector for the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility & Instrument for Pre-accession at DG ENEST; Klodjan Seferaj, Program Manager at Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans; Lorela Simoni, Head of the RGF NC Office at Albania’s State Agency of Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC); and Ritva Heikkinen, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Albania.

This was followed by an expert panel, “Expert Insight: Thematic Discussion with Experts,” featuring Dominik Hatiar (DG ENEST), Milena Mihajlovic Denic, Programme Director at the European Policy Centre (CEP), and Krisela Hackaj, Director of the Cooperation Development Institute (CDI), moderated by Simonida Kacarska (EPI). The discussion focused on regional reform priorities and EU accession-related themes.

The second day ran as two parallel tracks, reflecting the different roles within the consortium.

For the grantees, the morning and early afternoon focused on the practical side of running EU-funded projects. Sessions covered project governance and day-to-day coordination, reporting obligations and quality standards, the core principles of EU procurement rules (PRAG), and tools for monitoring project indicators and staying aligned with work plans, rounded off with real-world examples of common pitfalls to avoid. The second part turned to financial management, walking through eligible and ineligible costs, budget flexibility and reallocations, documentation needed for audit readiness, and the financial reporting and verification process.

In parallel, the project’s research and analysis team worked on refining the methodology behind the Reform Agenda monitoring process, discussing indicators, data collection tools, and revisions to key monitoring documents, before turning to planning the remaining monitoring deliverables, including upcoming national and regional reports.

The afternoon brought everyone back together for a “get to know & plan with peers” session, where grantees discussed their projects and explored opportunities for cooperation and synergies.

The final day was again split into two tracks before reconvening for the closing sessions.

Grantees took part in a session on civil society space in the Western Balkans and the role of CSOs in the EU accession process, including an interactive group exercise. Later, they focused on project communication and visibility, covering the EU’s visibility and branding requirements alongside practical guidance on content creation, social media engagement, and regional promotion.

Meanwhile, the project’s core team worked on website revisions, presenting the findings of the mid-project user survey together with the strategic roadmap for improving the Reform Monitor website, and discussing the design of an interactive dashboard for tracking reforms across the region. In the last session, they looked at joint advocacy efforts across the consortium, reflecting on country-level developments, CSO participation in monitoring committees, and next steps for coordinated advocacy messaging going into the second half of 2026.

The “Western Balkans Reform and Growth Monitor” is a project implemented by the Think for Europe Network and Transparency International – BiH, funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans.

EPI: CSOs should have a structured and meaningful role in the RGF Monitoring Committee

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The European Policy Institute – Skopje participated in the second meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF), with representatives of the European Commission, the Delegation of the European Union, national institutions, civil society organisations and international partners.

The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda and discussing how different stakeholders can contribute to ensuring that reforms supported through the RGF deliver visible and measurable results.

EPI contributed to the discussion by presenting key messages and recommendations developed through its monitoring work and the National Consultative Mechanism for the Reform Agenda (NKM-RA), implemented as part of the regional “WB Reform and Growth Monitor” project. EPI noted that regional exchange can help identify useful models and good practices for addressing the shared challenge of structured civil society participation.

Our researcher, Fikrija Tair Selmani, emphasised that, for CSOs’ contribution to be meaningful, the valuable role of civil society as a constructive partner in the Reform and Growth Facility process should be further acknowledged and supported through structured participation. She also underlined that, through policy knowledge, field-based experience and evidence, civil society organisations can support institutions in identifying implementation challenges, improving the quality of reforms and ensuring that progress is reflected in concrete benefits for citizens, businesses and institutions.

She recalled that civil society participation in the Monitoring Committee is regulated by the Rules of Procedure, which allow structured participation as well as direct invitations. Following this framework, the invitation and selection process should be inclusive and transparent, based on credible criteria. Building on positive practices from the region, CSOs should be more systematically engaged in monitoring and policy dialogue processes, including through written contributions, comments and recommendations before and after Committee meetings, in addition to spoken input during the meetings.

She also emphasised that timely access to all relevant documents before and after meetings is essential for meaningful participation, including supporting materials, conclusions and follow-up documents. More broadly, the challenge goes beyond North Macedonia and is relevant across the region. The Monitoring Committee therefore has an opportunity to set a positive example of transparent and inclusive monitoring by including CSO representatives as members, with clearly defined roles, rights and responsibilities. Such an approach would contribute to the quality of dialogue and help ensure that reform implementation is monitored in an inclusive, evidence-based and results-oriented manner.

In this context, several recommendations were highlighted for strengthening civil society participation in the work of the Monitoring Committee:

  • Establish formal CSO representation in the Monitoring Committee, with clearly defined roles, rights and responsibilities.
  • Ensure inclusive and informed participation by providing timely access to relevant information and space for both written contributions and spoken CSO input.
  • Strengthen transparency and follow-up by publishing key documents and explaining how recommendations are considered.

EPI remains committed to supporting an open, inclusive and evidence-based dialogue on the implementation of the Reform Agenda, contributing to efforts to ensure that the Reform and Growth Facility delivers tangible and sustainable benefits for citizens, businesses and institutions.

[Podcast] Kako Reformska Agenda oblikuje budućnost Srbije?

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U novoj epizodi podkasta razgovarali smo sa Bojanom Selaković, koordinatorkom Nacionalnog konventa za Evropsku uniju, o Reformskoj agendi Srbije i implementaciji Plana rasta za Zapadni Balkan.

Tema razgovora bili su značaj reformi za evropske integracije Srbije, kašnjenja u sprovođenju ključnih obaveza u oblastima vladavine prava, REM-a i izbornog zakonodavstva, kao i pitanje političke volje za suštinske promene. Poseban fokus bio je na ulozi civilnog društva u praćenju Reformske agende, problemima transparentnosti i pristupa informacijama, ali i na tome kako evropske integracije učiniti razumljivijim i bližim građanima.

Govorili smo i o odnosu Evropske komisije, Vlade Srbije i organizacija civilnog društva, kao i o tome šta bi do 2027. trebalo da bude ostvareno da bi Reformska agenda zaista donela konkretne rezultate građanima Srbije.

[Podcast] Plani i rritjes dhe Kosova: ku gabuam?

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Ju sjellim podcastin tonë më të ri me Demush Shashën, drejtor ekzekutiv i Institutit EPIK në të cilin diskutojmë rrugën e Kosovës nga hartimi i Agjendës së reformave, deri tek ratifikimi i marrëveshjeve si dhe zbatimin sot. Sa transparente ka qenë procesi i përgatitjes?

A mund të negociohej një agjendë më e mirë? Sa po na kushton papërgjegjshmëria e klasës politike?

Si mund të minimizohen dëmet që rrjedhin nga vonesa në zbatim? Këto dhe shumë pyetje tjera përgjigjen e kanë bashkëbisedimin tonë.

The European Commission releases €158.9 million to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia

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The European Commission has today made available €49 million to Albania, €44.2 million to Montenegro, and €65.7 million to North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility. This follows the third request for payment and the Commission’s positive assessment of reform steps implemented in the areas of business competitiveness and innovation in Albania and Montenegro, and education and digitalisation in North Macedonia.

With today’s release, the total amount released under the Facility under their respective envelopes reaches €212.8 million for Albania, €89.3 million for Montenegro, and €142.1 million for North Macedonia.

Progress under the Reform Agendas

In Albania, the reforms assessed by the Commission include measures to improve the business environment, facilitate investment and innovation, and expand access to finance, including for start-ups and companies active in the green and digital sectors. Of the €49 million disbursed, €22.8 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are made available for investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), subject to the applicable approval procedures. The official assessment by the EC is available in the Official documents part of our website.

You can check the latest Refrom Monitor’s Reform Agenda Update for Albania at: https://reform-monitor.org/albania-reform-agenda-update-2nd-semester-2025/

In Montenegro, the Commission assessed reforms in the area of research and innovation, including support for scientists, businesses and research institutions, as well as further strengthening of the national innovation ecosystem. Of the €44.2 million disbursed, €20.6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are made available for investment projects through the WBIF. The official assessment by the EC is available in the Official documents part of our website.

The last Reform Agenda Update prepared as part of our project is avaliable at: https://reform-monitor.org/montenegro-reform-agenda-update-2nd-semester-2025/

In North Macedonia, the reforms assessed include measures to improve the financing of primary and secondary education and measures in order to expand access to digital infrastructure and IT equipment in schools. Of the €65.7 million disbursed, €30.6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are made available for investment projects through the WBIF. The official assessment by the EC is available in the Official documents part of our website.

The RA Update for North Macedonia is available at: https://reform-monitor.org/north-macedonia-reform-agenda-update-2nd-semester-2025/

The funds that are earmarked for the WBIF will, once approved by the WBIF board, support infrastructure projects in sustainable transport, clean energy, digital and human capital development. Projects will be implemented in close cooperation with Western Balkan partners and international financial institutions.

Background

The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in 2023, aims to bring partner countries from the region benefits of membership ahead of their accession to the EU. It seeks to integrate partners into the EU’s Single Market, advance regional economic cooperation, deepen EU-related reforms and increase pre-accession funding. This in turn accelerates the enlargement process and the growth of partners’ economies.

The Plan is supported by the Reform and Growth Facility, its financial instrument with an envelope of €6 billion. Every six months, partners report on their progress on reforms implemented with the support of the Facility. The latest financial release relates to the third half-yearly reporting period, covering reforms implemented until the end of December 2025. The overall financing released under this instrument since 2024 amounts to €673.6 million.

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is instrumental in implementing the Reform and Growth Facility. It is channelling €3 billion in grants and loans under the Facility to support priority investments in transport, energy, digital and human capital. Established 15 years ago, the WBIF is a joint financial platform, bringing together the European Commission, financial organisations, EU Member States and Norway. It contributes directly to the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.

National Consultative Mechanism for the Reform Agenda in North Macedonia: A “Mid-Way” Progress Review

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The European Policy Institute (EPI) – Skopje and the Ministry of European Affairs (MEA) held the third meeting of the National Consultative Mechanism for the Reform Agenda (NCM-RA) at the Members of Parliament Club. The meeting, titled “Reform Agenda 2024-2027 at the Mid-Way Point: Overview of Progress to Date,” served as a critical point for evaluating reform steps and enhancing coordination between state institutions and civil society.

The NCM-RA is a multi-sectoral mechanism established as a national platform for structured, transparent, and inclusive dialogue. It unites over 150 civil society organizations, academic representatives, and chambers of commerce. Its goal is to enable evidence-based monitoring of North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda—a central part of the European Union’s Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.

The event opened with remarks by Bekim Sali, Minister of European Affairs; Steffen Hudolin, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to North Macedonia; Silvana Mojsovska, Professor at the Institute of Economics; and Simonida Kacarska, Director of EPI.

EPI’s monitoring indicates that the implementation of the Reform Agenda is uneven, with key reform areas facing implementation challenges. According to the EC’s last assessment in October, out of 21 reform steps with initial deadlines through December 2024 and June 2025, 6 have been fulfilled. To date, 50 reform steps have reached their deadlines (including 15 currently in a grace period) and another 29 are due by December 2025, for which the European Commission’s assessment is pending.

Progress is most visible in reforms involving legislation, particularly in the digital transition. However, reforms in the rule of law, judiciary, anti-corruption, organized crime, energy efficiency, and the business environment still require stronger institutional coordination and greater operational readiness. To successfully meet reforms in grace periods and reduce risks for future payments, stronger coordination and the substantive inclusion of civil society via the Monitoring Committee are essential.

Minister Bekim Sali emphasized that European integration for North Macedonia represents a concrete transformation based on measurable reforms. He noted that the country was the first in the region to finalize its Reform Agenda and meet pre-financing conditions, demonstrating strong institutional capacity. Sali stressed that the focus must now shift to the actual effect of reforms on public services and daily life, rather than just adopted documents.

Steffen Hudolin (EU Delegation) welcomed the continuity of the mechanism at this “mid-way” point. He underlined that the Reform Agenda is not just a financing mechanism but a structural path toward EU membership. While noting an encouraging upward trend, Hudolin warned that delays now come with a cost and could lead to the loss of funds, especially for the 10 steps approaching the end of their grace period on June 30, 2026. He called on civil society to move beyond being “observers” and act as active contributors.

Following the public session, the meeting continued with three parallel working groups:

  1. Energy Transition and Digital Transformation (Decarbonization and EU digital market alignment).

  2. Private Sector Development and Business Environment (Economic potential and human capital).

  3. Fundamental Values / Rule of Law and Good Governance (Judiciary reforms and anti-corruption).

This activity is part of the regional project “Western Balkans Reform and Growth Monitor,” implemented by EPI in partnership with the Think for Europe Network (TEN) and Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Open Society Foundations-Western Balkans.

Roundtable and N-CoMRA meeting in Kosovo: “Kosovo’s Reform Agenda: What’s Next?”

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The Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) organised the Roundtable Discussion on the topic: “Kosovo Reform Agenda: What’s Next?” With a panel composed of the Chief Negotiator and National Coordinator for the Reform Agenda Mr. Jeton Zulfaj, the Acting EU Ambassador Ms. Eva Palatova, and the Executive Director of KCSF Mr. Dren Puka, as well as with the presence of the EU Office, embassies and civil society organisations, and discussed the Reform Agenda and the institutional steps.

Initially, in the introductory speech, the Executive Director of GLPS Ms. Njomza Arifi gave a chronology of events from the conception of the Growth Plan as an idea to the drafting of the Reform Agenda and the ratification of the sentiments in the Assembly. Further, researcher Besar Gërgi presented the report on the monitoring of clarifications at the end of the third semester (December 31, 2025) Kosovo lost many opportunities due to political blockades.

Chief Negotiator Jeton Zulfaj expressed his willingness to implement executive reform measures that do not depend on the Assembly for which some of the steps will be ahead of the June deadline. Ambassador Palatova declared for a co-existence of society and political forces in the function of the structures of a moment for EU integration and made her choice for compromise between political parties. Dren Puka from KCSF added that the involvement of civil society is in this process for effective people.

GLPS would like to reiterate that many of the reform measures have stalled as a result of the responses of the political actors’ willingness to compromise and as a long-standing response to the loss of materials. In case of disagreements on the reforms of June 2025, the grace period of submission on June 30, 2026, the country risks losing 68.8 million euros. Therefore, GLPS once again calls for a serious treatment of the European integration and the Growth plan of political actors and asks for the strategic interests of the country.

Without reforms, BiH loses one billion marks from the Growth Plan by the end of the year, Marta Kos: There will be no extension of this deadline

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Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the risk of permanently losing 373.9 of the total 976.6 million euros available to it through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans if it does not implement reforms in the areas of strengthening the , judicial integrity, preventing conflicts of interest, and protecting whistleblowers by the end of the year, as it committed to under the Reform Agenda.

While warnings from the EU indicate that deadlines will no longer be extended, BiH has already been sanctioned with a 10% reduction in available funds due to delays, meaning that 108 million euros will be invested elsewhere instead of in development and infrastructure projects in BiH, and further procrastination means not only the loss of nearly one billion marks, but also further erosion of credibility on the European path.

“Just last week, I sent a letter to the authorities, warning that Bosnia and Herzegovina risks losing hundreds of millions of euros if the necessary reforms are not implemented by December 2026. years” emphasized Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, in a  at the opening of the First Consultative Forum on the Implementation of the Reform Agenda in BiH (CONFRA BiH), organized today in Sarajevo by  International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH).

She added that there will be no extension of this deadline, warning that “almost 50 percent of the funds (977 million convertible marks) could be lost” and reminded that countries in the region have launched necessary reforms in governance, public administration, the private sector, energy, human capital, and the rule of law, after which the promised funds followed.

Unlike them, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where public focus has been too long on the amount of available funds rather than on the obligations that must be fulfilled, has still not signed and ratified the agreement on accession to the Reform and Growth Instrument and the loan agreement, which are prerequisites for using the 976.6 million euros.

However, inaction also carries its own cost. Namely, in the absence of reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina risks losing 373 million euros from the funds allocated under the Growth Plan, in addition to the 108 million euros it lost last year.

“The reforms in the Reform Agenda are the blueprint for an economic transformation in this country – one that will help it to use its considerable economic potential. This country has an educated population, a proud industrial tradition and is geographically located in the heart of Europe close to the European Single Market.” stated Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding that these advantages are not being utilized sufficiently.

“The education system needs urgent reform. Much of BiH’s industry relies on ageing technology, and needs to be modernised, including to take advantage of the clean energy revolution. BiH may be geographically close to the European Single Market, but barriers still exist to accessing it. The reforms in the Reform Agenda help bring these barriers down and move this country closer to receiving the benefits of EU membership. There is however also a cost to inaction – in the absence of reforms, regrettably, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at risk of losing EUR 373 million from its allocation under the Growth Plan, in addition to the EUR 108 million it lost last year” Soreca added.

Forum participants emphasized that the aforementioned funds from the Growth Plan are not a reward for declarative commitment to the European path, but support for countries that demonstrate , capacity, and responsibility to implement reforms. Therefore, BiH must appoint a national coordinator, establish a secretariat, a monitoring committee, and contact points for each reform step, so that it is clear who is responsible for implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

In addition, it was emphasized, the implementation process must be more open to the public, which means that the authorities must publish the Reform Agenda in the official languages of BiH together with a list of infrastructure projects to be financed from the Growth Plan, so that citizens know what the state has promised and where it plans to direct the available funds.

“The Growth Plan is a test of institutional responsibility, not just a financial opportunity. If the authorities in BiH are not prepared to implement the reforms they themselves undertook, then the problem is not only in the lost funds, but in the message that political representatives are sending to the EU and citizens. The attitude toward the Growth Plan today shows the real attitude toward BiH’s European path “, stated Ivana Korajlić, Executive Director of TI BiH.

TI BiH warns that when establishing the institutional framework, lessons learned from a decade of a dysfunctional coordination mechanism must be utilized. Through the new system, it is necessary to define clear responsibilities, deadlines, and mechanisms for overcoming blockages, so that the implementation of the Reform Agenda does not turn into another captured process.

and other relevant actors need to be included in the work of the monitoring committee through a transparent process and clear criteria, based on expertise, experience, and proven results. Only in this way can the monitoring and reporting process be of higher quality, more open, and focused on real results.

Continued delays and political blockages do not only mean the loss of available funds. They directly harm BiH’s credibility before the European Union and member states, and reduce the chances that the country will make a serious step forward toward opening negotiations in the near future. Therefore, TI BiH calls on the authorities to open the implementation process of the Reform Agenda to civil society and to use CONFRA BiH as a space for regular dialogue, monitoring progress, and addressing obstacles in fulfilling undertaken obligations.

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