Digital Transformation
Stimulating regional agency in digital transformation to improve competitiveness and ensure a smoother integration of the region in the EU digital market.
Projects on this thematic area
Digital Resilience of the NGO Sector in the Western Balkans
Across the Western Balkans, civil society organizations and independent media face growing digital threats, including cyberattacks, unlawful surveillance, coordinated...
Advancing Public-Private Partnership Transparency in the Western Balkans
OSF-Western Balkans has signed a new partnership with the Center for Civil Communications (CCC), Skopje, North Macedonia, launching a...
Western Balkans Convergence Forum – From Grants to Growth
The Youth Connect Western Balkans initiative brings together youth entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation hubs from across the region to...
WB6 – Driving AI-Powered Growth and Regional Integration in the Western Balkans
Launched in October 2025, the WB6 Investment Platform is a 100% AI-powered digital platform designed to support investors, businesses,...
Regional Forum on the Future of Media and Public Communication in Southeast Europe
The Regional Forum on the Future of Media and Public Communication in Southeast Europe revitalized dialogue on media freedom...
STAR Platform – Connecting Youth and Opportunities Across the Western Balkans
Building on the success of its first cycle (2023-2024), the STAR (Study, Train, Act, React) platform entered its second...
Learn2Earn: Digital Solutions for Human Capital, ESG Ventures, and Systemic Change
Learn2Earn aims to transform human capital across the Western Balkans by equipping individuals with future-relevant digital and sustainability skills...
Youth-Focused Digital Academy – Empowering the Next Generation for the Digital Economy
About the Project The Youth-Focused Digital Academy aims to increase employability among young people aged 18-25 from Kosovo and...
Blueprint for Democratic Regeneration – Pilot Phase: Establishing a Critical Mass for Digital and Civic Transformation in the Western Balkans
The Blueprint for Democratic Regeneration is a pioneering regional initiative designed to counter democratic backsliding, polarization, and digital manipulation...
Growth and Digital Rights: Ensuring the Integration of the Western Balkans into the Digital Single Market
This one-year initiative jointly implemented by Partners Serbia, the Institute for Democracy and Mediation, “Zašto ne (Why not)”, Women in Tech Kosovo, NGO 35mm and Metamorphosis Foundation aims...
STAR – Digital platform for empowerment of youth at labor market in WB
The project addresses the pressing challenges faced by 1.5 million young people in the Western Balkans, encompassing secondary school...
Regional Network of Centers for Advanced Studies in Southeast Europe (RECAS)
Bridging scientific academic research and policymaking in the Western Balkans.
Open Data and Digitalisation in the Western Balkans
Informing audiences on open data and digitalization in the Western Balkans.
11th Global Fact-Checking Summit and POINT 12 Conference
Combating misinformation and enhancing political accountability in the Western Balkans.
Utilizing Open Data as a tool for greater Competition, Participation and Reforms in the Public Procurements in the WB6 countries
This regional initiative, jointly implemented by Bečej Youth Association , Open Data Kosovo and Instituti për Zhvillim dhe Edukim aims to improve the...
Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans
Fortifying civil society and media resilience through the SEE Digital Rights Network.
Western Balkans Digital Rights Cooperation
Addressing pressing issues at the intersection of society, technology, and human rights.
Publications on this thematic area
Challenges to the integration of the Western Balkans into European Union supply chains
Two decades of economic integration between the Western Balkans and the EU have delivered meaningful gains, including the elimination...
Green Infrastructure investments and EU funding for WB6: opportunities, challenges and paths forward
The Western Balkans (WB6) face a pivotal moment in aligning with EU environmental and climate policies. Achieving compliance demands...
Western Balkans on the Edge of Digital Transition: Regional Coordination and EU integration pathways
The Western Balkans’ digital landscape stands at a turning point as global and regional trends challenge online governance and...
“Caught In-Between: Digital Transition in Kosovo’s Higher Education” The case of the University of Prishtina
Technology has changed how universities approach teaching, enabling flexible access, innovative methods, and greater global collaboration. Numerous studies have...
Accelerating Digital Transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Coordinated Path Forward
Digital transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is progressing slowly and without a clear strategic framework. Most public institutions lack...
Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans (WB6)
“Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans (WB6)” regional report offers a comprehensive overview of alarming trends related to...
Albania’s TikTok U-Turn: Trading Regulation for a Ban
TikTok is being shut down in Albania, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to regulating digital platforms....
Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans: The State of Play
The research titled Current State of Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans, conducted by Balkan Investigative Reporting...
Towards a Feasible Implementation of the Digital Services Act in the Western Balkans
Study of the regulatory and institutional preparedness for harmonization with DSA in the Western Balkans
Guidebook for Digital Rights Activists in the Western Balkans
The Guidebook provides an overview of what digital rights are, examples of digital rights violations throughout the Western Balkans,...
Open Contracting Data Standards in Public Procurement in Montenegro
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
Open Data and Public Procurement utilization of the potential in Serbia
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
Open Data and Public Procurement in the Republic of North Macedonia
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
Utilizing Open Data as a Tool for greater competition participation and reforms in the public procurement in Kosovo
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
DSA, DMA, AIA AND WESTERN BALKANS
This multidisciplinary study analyzes the transformative regulatory framework introduced by the European Union through the Digital Services Act (DSA),...
Unveiling the Potential: Open data in public procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina for enhanced competition, participation and reform
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
Public Procurements and Open Data in Albania
Information related to state of affairs in the public procurement field and the accessibility and availability of Open Data...
Open Data Open Procurements
Focusing on open data in public procurement across the Western Balkans, the aim of this Analysis is to address...
Non-consensual creation, processing, and distribution of images and videos in the Western Balkans
Identification and analysis of regulatory standards and legal framework in the Western Balkans region in regard to image-based sexual...
DSA DMA AIA Policy Paper – Bosnia and Herzegovina
DSA-DMA-AIA Compliance in the Western Balkans Legal Frameworks: State of the Ecosystem in Bosnia and Herzegovina
DSA DMA AIA Policy Paper – Kosovo
DSA-DMA-AIA Compliance in the Western Balkans Legal Frameworks: State of the Ecosystem in Kosovo
DSA DMA AIA Policy Paper – Albania
DSA-DMA-AIA Compliance in the Western Balkans Legal Frameworks: State of the Ecosystem in Albania
DSA DMA AIA Policy Paper – North Macedonia
DSA-DMA-AIA Compliance in the Western Balkans Legal Frameworks: State of the Ecosystem in North Macedonia
DSA DMA AIA Policy Paper – Serbia
DSA-DMA-AIA Compliance in the Western Balkans Legal Frameworks: State of the Ecosystem in Serbia
Key Recommendations of the Thematic Working Group on Digitalization and Connectivity
As part of the Civil Society Forum Tirana 2023, supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans, Zasto ne...
BEYOND THE FACE: BIOMETRICS AND SOCIETY
This book is one of the most comprehensive explorations of how biometric systems are being used round the world...
Balancing Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities and Challenges in Kosovo
Written by Imane Bellaadem the policy brief “Balancing Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities and Challenges in Kosovo”...
Young and Female: Experiences of and Barriers to Kosovo’s ‘Digital-Social’ Start-Up Scene
Written by Geena Whiteman, the policy paper “Young and Female: Experiences of and Barriers to Kosovo’s ‘Digital-Social’ Start-Up Scene”...
A Municipality Tailored to Citizens: An Innovative Approach to Transparent, Accountable, and Inclusive Local
Privacy Protection аs Integral Part оf Developing Quality E-Services аnd Tools
Please download the material in English and Macedonian.
Regulation of online Platforms: EU policy and its reflection on policies in the Republic of North Macedonia
Please download the material in English and Macedonian.
Crisis Attempts of Higher Education Institutions for Digitalization in the Academic Year 19/20
The Situations and Challenges of Implementing Online Teaching in Primary Schools
Recommendations for ICT standards in public administration
Authors: Miroslav Jovanović; Zoran Janevski; Bardil Jasari; Kapina Donevska; Aleksandar Ugrinoski; Kliment Kočovski; Andon Stefanovski; Jovi Tasevski
News on this thematic area
The Questions Were Already There
An organization that has worked on environmental rights in Tuzla since 2001 convened a Summer School on artificial intelligence....
SPEAK – Platform for Reporting Abuses of Surveillance and Censorship
SPEAK is a platform developed within the project “Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans”, supported by the OSF-WB, that allows users...
Leading Business Networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina Unite to Support Generation Z’s Entry into the Labour Market
On 11 December 2025, representatives of 15 major business networks, employers’ associations, and chambers of commerce in Bosnia and...
Ignita Forum 2025: On the Edge Opens Dialogue on Europe’s Future from the Western Balkan
Ignita Forum 2025 launches in Prizren as a new platform connecting civil society, policymakers and youth around EU integration,...
STARforums: Future of Work for Gen Z in the Western Balkans
STARforums across five Western Balkan cities united 200+ stakeholders to tackle youth employment challenges and launch the STAR.study platform,...
Why the EU must integrate the Western Balkans into its cybersecurity agency?
The Western Balkans are not on the sidelines of the EU’s digital periphery; they are in the middle of...
EU Urged to Boost Western Balkans Role in Cybersecurity and Digital Policy
At a high-level roundtable in Brussels, civil society and policy leaders called for granting WB6 observer status in ENISA...
New Report on Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans (WB6) Presented in Sarajevo
Sarajevo, April 29, 2025 – A new regional report titled “Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans (WB6)” was...
Privacy Week 2025: Privacy for All!
Within the regional project Growth and Digital Rights: Ensuring the Integration of the Western Balkans into the Digital Single...
OSF WB-Supported Report Drives Launch of New Montenegrin Government Open Data Portal Featuring 400 Datasets
On December 16, BIRN Montenegro hosted the launch of the Montenegrin Government Open Data Portal, followed by a panel...
Empowering the Digital Generation: STARforum and OSF WB Launch STAR.study Platform
Generation Z, the first digital generation (born after 1996), will make up 30% of the workforce by 2030. Do...
BIRN Kosovo Publishes Report on Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans
On October 25, BIRN Kosovo hosted a conference to launch the report “Data-Driven Governance: Strategies for Open Data in...
BIRN Presents Key Findings on Open Data and Digitalization in Albania
On October 25, 2024, BIRN Albania unveiled the main findings of the regional report “Open Data and Digitalization in...
BIRN’s Report on Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans Presented in Skopje
On October 18, 2024, Skopje hosted a discussion on BIRN’s report, Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans:...
Challenges of Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans
A new report on “Current State of Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans” launched in Sarajevo by...
11th Global Fact Conference in Sarajevo
26-28 June 2024 – The Open Society Foundation Western Balkans (OSF-WB) and the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) co-organised the 11th...
GlobalFact11 Conference Highlights Role of Fact-Checkers and Challenges in Digital Age
The #GlobalFact11 conference, held in Sarajevo from June 26-28, 2024, convened over 500 fact-checkers and stakeholders worldwide. Nobel Prize...
CYBERSECURITY TOOLKIT
As part of the Western Balkans Digital Rights Cooperation project, Share Foundation from Belgrade has developed a digital platform...
CYBER INTIMACY
Every day, intimate moments of many people are recorded on phones. Most often, these are images and videos of...
