The research titled Current State of Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans, conducted by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) with the support of the Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF WB), assesses the potential of open data and digitalized public services to enhance transparency, promote economic growth, and support social development across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

While the report highlights progress, including thousands of e-government services and over 3,000 open data sets, it identifies significant challenges such as limited political will, insufficient technical infrastructure, and low engagement from civil society and media. The findings emphasize the need for stronger legal frameworks, improved cybersecurity, and active participation from diverse stakeholders, while also acknowledging the varying levels of adoption and the ongoing impact of EU integration and international initiatives.

The report is divided into four sections: Data-Driven Governance: Strategies for Open Data in the Western Balkans, Challenges and Opportunities for Open Data and E-Governance Implementation in the Western Balkans, E-Governance Solutions in the Western Balkans, and Mapping Key Stakeholders: Roles, Interests, and Influence in the Open Data and E-Governance Ecosystem. Each section concludes with specific recommendations for improving the current situation.

Authors: Tanja Maksić, Tijana Uzelac
Research team: Kristina Voko, Bylyre Serjanaj, Katarina Zrinjski, Admir Muslimović, Xheneta Murtezaj, Vuk Maraš, German Filkov, Miodrag Marković

The complete report, available in English, Albanian, Macedonian, and BCS languages, can be read on the portal https://balkaninsight.com/open-data-and-digitalization-in-the-western-balkans-the-state-of-play/