Supporting reforms towards EU-integration in Kosovo

Context

Kosovo, as an aspiring candidate for European Union (EU) membership, needs to advance reforms under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), which entered into force in 2016. These reforms prioritise important areas of the EU Integration process, including the rule of law, anti-corruption, human rights, judicial reform, public administration and digital services as well as economic integration through the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. While progress has been made in coordination and monitoring, Kosovo’s institutions require additional support to adopt, implement, and enforce EU standards effectively.

Objective

Kosovo’s public administration has improved its ability to implement EU-related reforms in selected areas.

Approach

The project supports the implementation of SAA in selected priority areas, focusing on strategic planning, reducing administrative burdens, and digitalisation. Its core activities include:

• Supporting the implementation of specific EU laws and standards, such as those outlined in the EU Services Directive;
• Improving the inspections system across institutions and fostering cooperation with rule of law bodies, including courts, prosecutors, police, and the environment inspectorate;
• Enhancing private enforcement mechanisms;
• Advancing tax collection and investigation through behavioural insights and better customer services for taxpayers;
• Expanding access to justice for all citizens;
• Simplifying services for citizens and business through digitalisation, process re-engineering, and user-centric approaches like design thinking.

Last update: February 2025