In July 2025, a high-level Ukrainian delegation visited Tirana, Albania, to learn from Albania’s experience in implementing reforms on its path toward European Union accession. The exchange focused on institutional reforms, civil society engagement, and interregional cooperation, laying the groundwork for deeper partnerships between Ukrainian and Western Balkan civil society organizations.
The visit was co-organised by Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans and the International Renaissance Foundation, with the support of the European Union and GIZ, marking a new stage of cooperation between the civil societies of Ukraine and the Western Balkans.
Learning from Albania’s Reform Experience
During meetings with Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ukrainian delegation discussed how institutional change, legislative harmonisation, and civil society participation have contributed to Albania’s progress toward EU integration.
The delegation included representatives of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, the Government Office for the Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, as well as experts from the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform.
A central element of the visit was a roundtable discussion bringing together Ukrainian and Albanian civil society leaders. The discussions focused on local-level advocacy, judicial reform, anti-corruption initiatives, and the crucial role of public oversight in maintaining reform momentum. Participants also addressed common challenges faced by EU candidate countries, including communicating reform progress to EU Member States and sustaining support for the EU enlargement process.
Building Strategic Partnerships
The visit also laid the foundation for closer cooperation between the International Renaissance Foundation and its sister organisation, Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans. The two foundations are aligning their approaches to strengthening the role of civil society in the EU enlargement process, including through joint initiatives related to the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
***
The participation of Ukrainian civil society experts in the visit was supported by the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation within the framework of the joint initiative “Whole-of-Society Accession: Strengthening Civil Society Role in Ukraine’s EU Accession”.
