As Albania and Serbia continue on their path towards EU membership, strengthening sustainable urban governance is both a development priority and a strategic necessity. Local institutions play a central role in this process but often struggle to align their practices with European standards due to capacity gaps.
The UrbaNEX–WB project was launched in early 2025 under the Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP) supported by the CEI Fund at the EBRD sponsored by Italy. It will support municipalities and national stakeholders in improving urban policy implementation and accessing EU cooperation frameworks, particularly the URBACT IV 2026 programme.
It aims at promoting knowledge transfer, peer learning, and capacity building across all levels of government. The goal is twofold: to enhance local authorities' ability to implement sustainable urban planning practices and to foster cross-sectoral cooperation that supports long-term EU alignment and funding readiness.
Following two virtual kick-off meetings in March 2025, a joint needs assessment, identified priority areas for improvement such as technical skills, stakeholder coordination, and EU project preparation. These findings informed a targeted Training and Incubation Curriculum.
Between May and July 2025, UrbaNEX–WB delivered a first round of online and in-person training sessions involving experts from across Europe, including representatives from the URBACT IV Secretariat and the Slovenian National Contact Point. Case studies from Italy, Slovenia and beyond provided valuable insights into integrated urban governance and participatory planning.
Workshops held in Belgrade and Shkoder enabled hands-on collaboration, helping local stakeholders co-develop project ideas and action plans. A notable outcome of the Belgrade event was the drafting of a National Contact Point Action Plan for Serbia, an unplanned but strategic step towards anchoring URBACT in national institutions.
In the coming months, UrbaNEX–WB will continue to support participating municipalities with tailored guidance, project design tools and peer exchange opportunities, paving the way for their engagement in the URBACT IV 2026 call.
By connecting local needs with European expertise, UrbaNEX–WB contributes to more resilient, sustainable, and EU-aligned urban development in the Western Balkans.
This project is led by the Politecnico di Torino (POLITO) and implemented in collaboration with Co-PLAN - Institute for Habitat Development (Albania) and the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Geography (UB-GEF) (Serbia) . Institutional partners include the Municipality of Shkoder and City of Kragujevac, as well as the relevant ministries responsible for local governance and European integration. It will be running until the end of February 2026.
For more info: dovier@cei.int