CBCG in the Third Phase of the EU Programme for Integration into the ESCB
27/02/2026
The Deutsche Bundesbank and the European Commission have launched the third phase of the programme titled “Programme for Strengthening the Capacity of Central Banks in the Western Balkans”, aimed at their integration into the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).
The EU-funded programme is designed to provide continued support to central banks and banking supervisory agencies in candidate and potential candidate countries from the Western Balkans region.
The programme is implemented by the Bundesbank as coordinator, in partnership with 19 national central banks of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the European Central Bank. This programme will further strengthen the institutional capacities of beneficiary institutions, enhance the analytical framework and economic policy instruments, and incorporate European and international best standards into national practices.
In addition to the CBCG, the programme also includes the Bank of Albania, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Banking Agency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Banking Agency of Republika Srpska, the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, the National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia and the National Bank of Serbia. The EU has allocated 3 million euros for the programme under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III).
The programme was officially launched at the Banca d’Italia, in the presence of Deputy Governor Chiara Scotti. The European Commission was represented by Giulio Venneri, Deputy Head of Unit for Enlargement Strategy and Coordination at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, while the CBCG was represented by Lidija Beratović, Director of the Directorate for International Cooperation and European Integration.
In its capacity as project leader, the Deutsche Bundesbank emphasized that the programme supports preparations of Western Balkan central banks for integration into the ESCB, highlighting the importance of achieving sustainable results and building long-term partnerships.
Over the next 36 months, the Bundesbank, together with partner EU central banks and with the contribution of the ECB, will organise an intensive regional training programme on key issues in central banking and supervision. The main thematic focus will be on new trends in central banking and financial supervision, including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, cyber risks, data and data governance, digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence in central banks. High-level meetings will also be organised on current topics such as central bank independence and new developments in payment systems. In addition to regional training activities, the new programme will continue to provide significant support for the implementation of concrete bilateral measures.
Alongside the Deutsche Bundesbank as coordinator, the programme is implemented with the participation of the Banque Nationale de Belgique, Bulgarian National Bank, Bank of Greece, Banco de España, Banque de France, Croatian National Bank, Central Bank of Ireland, Banca d’Italia, Lietuvos bankas, Banque centrale du Luxembourg, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, Oesterreichische Nationalbank, National Bank of Poland, Banco de Portugal, National Bank of Romania, Bank of Slovenia, National Bank of Slovakia and Sveriges Riksbank. The European Central Bank will also contribute to the implementation of the project as an important partner in its successful delivery.