RA Connect: From National Civil Society Oversight to Regional Peer-learning

The project aims to contribute to the effective, transparent, and participatory implementation of Serbia’s Reform Agenda (RA), a key instrument under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF). The Reform Agenda encompasses a set of structural reforms that Western Balkan countries are required to implement in order to accelerate EU integration and access financial support from the RGF. Given the scope and significance of these reforms, the project promotes independent, evidence-based monitoring and constructive dialogue among institutions, civil society, and international partners.

The project is implemented through the efforts of the Intersectoral Working Group for Reform Agenda Monitoring (IWG), a consultative mechanism established within the framework of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU), the Project coordinator. The IWG brings together civil society organisations, experts, and academic community representatives to monitor reform progress, promote transparency, and facilitate structured dialogue with government institutions, the European Commission, and other stakeholders.

The project builds on the long-standing cooperation between the NCEU Secretariat and CEP, one of the NCEU’s founding members and the IWG coordinator. As project partner, CEP leads the work of the IWG, ensures coordination among its thematic sub-groups, provides methodological and analytical guidance, and facilitates dialogue with national institutions and the European Commission.

Monitoring and analysis are carried out through the work of six thematic and horizontal sub-groups, each coordinated by a civil society organisation with strong expertise in its respective area: Business Environment and Private Sector Development, coordinated by the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED); Green Transition, coordinated by the Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society (BFPE); Digital Transition coordinated by the Partners Serbia (PS); Human Capital, coordinated by the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF); Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law, coordinated by the Transparency Serbia (Transparency); and the Budgetary and Financial Impact of the Reform and Growth Facility coordinated by the Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES).

The project is structured around three main components: 1. evidence-based monitoring of the Reform Agenda implementation through analytical reports; 2. strengthening the coordination capacity and institutional capacities of the IWG and its sub-groups; and 3. fostering regional peer learning and knowledge exchange among civil society organisations engaged in monitoring reform implementation across the Western Balkans. Through these activities, the project contributes to greater accountability, improved reform implementation, and stronger civil society participation in Serbia’s EU integration process.

Contact person: Ljubica Kovačević, Project Manager, ljubica.kovacevic@cep.org.rs