Building on the priorities of public administration reform (PAR), which the European Commission has identified as a key condition for progress in the EU accession process, the project addresses persistent weaknesses in the areas of transparency and public participation in policymaking and regulatory processes. Particular emphasis is placed on early stages of drafting policy documents, public consultations, and monitoring of their implementation.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to strengthening the capacities of CSOs through the development of practical knowledge and skills required for meaningful and evidence-based participation in public policymaking. The specific objective is to identify concrete CSO needs and enhance their competencies for engaging in the preparation of policy documents, public consultations, and monitoring of policy and regulatory implementation, accompanied by recommendations for further strengthening their role and capacities.

Planned activities include: conducting a needs assessment and defining the focus of the training programme; developing training curricula and supporting materials; delivering one two-day interactive training for up to 20 CSO representatives; and preparing a final report with recommendations for further capacity development of CSOs in this field.

The project builds on the experiences and results of the WeBER Plus initiative (2023–2024), which focused on strengthening CSO capacities in PAR area, as well as on the findings of SIGMA/OECD, which point to the need for further improvement of the public consultation system in Serbia. Although standards are formally in place, practice indicates limited coverage and quality of consultation processes, as well as insufficient capacity of CSOs to use these mechanisms effectively.

Duration: December 2025 – March 2026

Contact: Jovana Knezevic Jovanovic, Senior Project Manager, jovana.knezevic@cep.org.rs

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Against this background, and taking into account CEP’s organisational strategy 2021-2030, CEP’s
Strategic plan for Good Governance sets out as its overall goal to further strengthen involvement of civil society in implementation and monitoring of and advocacy for good governance policies in the area of PAR and economic governance, in line with EU policies. This overall objective is supported by two specific objectives (SOs): 1. To support civil society’s analyses, implementation and monitoring of policies aimed at enhancing PAR and economic governance in Serbia; and 2. To foster civil society’s engagement and evidence-based advocacy among the key stakeholders for PAR and economic governance in Serbia. This will accordingly further boost CS capacities to provide evidence-based policy inputs and recommendations and participate in policy dialogue with authorities at national and local level.

CEP’s Annual Work Programme for 2023 (operating grant), in the framework of CEP’s Strategic plan for Good Governance, is funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, within the Civil Society Facility Programme 2021 – 2023.

Publications published within the Operating grant:

Public consultations VS Consultations (SRB)

Portal eConsultations: New instrument, Unused Opportunities (SRB)

Economic Reform Programme (ERP) 2024 – 2026: Old reforms in a new vesture (SRB)

Events held within the Operating grant:

Consultations of Public Administration and Civil Society on Proposals for Structural Reforms for the new ERP cycle 2024-26 (SRB)

Discussion on Transparency and Inclusiveness of Policy and Regulation Creation and WeBER 3.0 National Working Group meeting (SRB)

Članak Operating grant – CEP’s Annual Work Programme 2023, in the framework of CEP’s Strategic plan for Good Governance se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

WeBER 3.0 will continue to feature the crucial role of civil society in building healthy democracies through empowering CSOs to become reliable partner to governments in the EU accession process. By ensuring continuity in assessment of the progress of the reforms carried out by local civil society actors, WeBER 3.0 and its cornerstone product, the Western Balkan PAR Monitor, will continue to guide the governments in the region towards successful EU accession and membership. CSOs equipped with evidence and knowledge take up central place in the region’s EU path and ensure that the governments do not exercise reform processes to only qualify for the EU membership, but to improve the citizens’ lives.

The project will also contribute to overall regional cooperation by facilitating the CSOs-government dialogue at regional, national and local level, relying on the established WeBER Platform, which will be further enhanced by including the business community representatives.

The main international partners during the WeBER 3.0 will remain SIGMA/OECD and Regional School for Public Administration (ReSPA). Also, the main institutions (ministries/offices) in charge of coordination of PAR in each country will continue to perform the role of the project associates in the third phase of the initiative as well.

The overall objective of the WeBER 3.0 is to to further empower CSOs to contribute to more transparent, open, accountable, citizen-centric, and thus more EU-compliant administrations in the WB region.

The implementation of the third phase of the WeBER initiative is, as has been the case with the previous two (WeBER 2015 – 2018 & WeBER 2.0 2019 – 2023), principally funded by the European Union.

Find more information on www.par-monitor.org

Članak WeBER 3.0 se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

CEP represents the local branch of the global IRM for Serbia and carries out independent monitoring, observation and reporting of the process of adoption and implementation of action plans. In its work, CEP maintains regular contact with state institutions that are holders of obligations, as well as civil society that is involved in the process within the Special Interministerial OGP Working Group. CEP coordinates its work with the global IRM, while the reports it works on are open to public debate before final publication. The goal of the project is to provide a clear insight into the process of opening the government and help the Government in its efforts to fulfil the obligations assumed from the action plan.

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To achieve this objective, the project produces comprehensive regional and national PAR monitor reports for the years 2021 and 2022. These reports are based on evidence and analysis generated by CSOs and provide valuable insights into the progress and challenges related to public administration reform across the Western Balkans region. The findings of these reports are widely disseminated and promoted, not only within the Western Balkans but also among EU stakeholders, and they enhance the visibility and impact of CSO-led monitoring and analysis efforts. Furthermore, the project fosters collaborative partnerships between CSOs and PAR authorities (ministries/offices) in the target countries through the convening of meetings under the WeBER Platform and National PAR Working Groups. These platforms serve as crucial forums for constructive dialogue, allowing CSOs and government representatives to exchange ideas, share experiences, and jointly address priority issues concerning public administration reform.

Such engagements facilitate a more inclusive and participatory approach to the reform process, leading to better-informed policy decisions and more effective implementation. The importance of capacity-building for CSOs was recognised, and the project undertook a thorough assessment of training needs, priority PAR issues, and concerns expressed by CSOs. This assessment will be conducted through National PAR Working Groups and an online consultation tool, ensuring a participatory and representative approach to identify the most relevant areas for capacity development. Based on the findings, tailored training programs will be developed in collaboration with SIGMA/OECD and ReSPA, designed to equip CSOs with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to actively contribute to the PAR process.

Ultimately, this project will be seeking to strengthen civil society’s role as an influential and informed actor in shaping public administration reform in the Western Balkans. By providing CSOs with evidence-based tools, facilitating meaningful dialogue with PAR authorities, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the project aims to catalyze positive change, improve governance, and contribute to the region’s progress on the path to EU accession.

Članak WeBER Plus se pojavljuje prvo na European Policy Centre.

The project directly supported 40 local CSOs and had the aim to strengthen their capacities and to provide mentoring support in the field of application of a comprehensive methodology and tools for monitoring the fact-based public administration reform, which the project had developed. PAR monitoring itself was conducted in 17 local governments (12 from central Serbia, 4 from Vojvodina and the City of Belgrade).

Project activities were grouped into four work packages:

1) WP 1 was included in the activities related to the development of a methodology for monitoring public administration reform at the local level and tools needed for its implementation, involving all relevant actors from the civil sector at the local level, as well as representatives of MDULS and SCTM.

2) WP2 have included capacity building of local CSOs for the application of the developed methodology, as well as monitoring of public administration reform in 17 local governments, which included preparation and publication of 17 individual monitoring reports and one comparative PAR monitoring report in all 17 LGUs.

3) WP3 was focused on regular CSO consultation sessions and advocacy plans and their implementation through public events and closed-door meetings.

4) WP 4 was included in a campaign (street actions and online) which was intended for all citizens in Serbia, was focused on issues of public administration reform at the local level, as well as an open call for citizens ‘contribution to the campaign and the development of the “Book of Citizens’ Experiences”.

The project was funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia within the Civil Society and Media Support Program, which aimed to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration process by empowering civil society to actively participate in decision-making. The project was co-financed by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue.

Here you can find the information about publications and events produced during the project (in Serbian).

Contact: Branko Birač, Project Manager – branko.birac@cep.org.rs

Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay

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• Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) from Bulgaria (Project Coordinator)
• Romanian Academic Society from Romania
• Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis”, Skopje from North Macedonia
• Civic Association “Why not” from Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Center for Democratic Transition from Montenegro
• Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) from Albania
• Government Transparency Institute (GTI) from Hungary
• Institute of Public Finance from Croatia
• State Commission for Prevention of Corruption from North Macedonia
• Regional Anti-corruption Initiative Secretariat (RAI)
• Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
• Chr. Michelsen Institute.

The project’s overall objective was to deliver shared anti-corruption solutions to increase the accountability of state institutions and strengthen civil society and the rule of law in Southeast Europe (SEE). Such was be achieved through capacity building on implementing innovative research instruments of European social research which were selected as examples of best practice. Moreover, the objective was attained through established a knowledge-sharing public-private partnership between civil society and public sector actors in nine beneficiary countries. The action aimed to close anti-corruption policy implementation and public procurement gaps across SEE which will further amplify the impact of the planned increase in EU infrastructure support until 2025. It pulled together resources of the largest grassroot civil society anticorruption network – Southeast European Leadership for Development and Integrity (SELDI), the abovementioned international expert organisations and the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption of North Macedonia, and the anti-corruption resource centre U4.

Partners implemented Monitoring Anticorruption Policy Implementation (MACPI) instrument which resulted in analysis, i.e., technical reports for the management of analysed public bodies, complemented by desktop research and consultations. In addition, Opentender.eu was updated for large-scale public procurement analysis, including new corruption risk indicators, and implemented annually in nine countries. Finally, three Annual SEE Good Governance Reports, included the key MACPI and Opentender findings, were discussed at Policy Forums. A comprehensive communication and engagement strategy reinforced the project’s impact. Partners developed specific advocacy ideas and messages and put them forward in a public-private format.

The project was a unique opportunity to jump-start public-private action and mainstream the best EU practices and shared anti-corruption policy solutions that helped reduce social and economic disparities in the EEA.

Contact person: Andrija Mladenović, Project Coordinator – andrija.mladenovic@cep.org.rs

Publications published within the project:

Unveiling Challenges in Serbian Public Procurement – A Call for Change

Rolling Back State Capture in Southeast Europe – Implementing Effective Instruments for Asset Declaration and Politically Exposed Companies

A Game of Hide and Seek – Asset Declarations for Public Officials

State Capture Assessment Diagnostics at Sectoral Level: Training manual

Blogs published within the project:

Asset Declaration in South East Europe – an (In)sufficiently Successful Instrument for Corruption Prevention (SRB)

Where Are the Continued Public Procurement Deficiencies Leading Serbia?

Public Procurement: A Brake or a Step Forward in the European Integration of Serbia

Events held within the project:

Implementing Shared Anti-Corruption аnd Good Governance Solutions in Southeast Europe: Innovative Practices and Public–Private Partnership

First Annual Summer School: Methodologies for monitoring anticorruption policies, state capture and public procurement integrity

Tackling State Capture in Southeast Europe: Delivering on the European Rule of Law Promise

Follow the Money: Tracking Illicit Financial Flows and Countering of Sanctions’ Evasion Schemes

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In addition, the main goal is to contribute to an efficient, professional, transparent, and service oriented Public Administration, increasing the level of harmonization among the different levels of government; to improve capacity of public administration to achieve better administration capable to implement the EU integration requirements in the area of human resources management.

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