The BIRN report, “Open Data and Digitalisation in the Western Balkans: The State of Play,” highlights significant challenges in the implementation of e-government services across the region. Despite the global trend toward digital government, political will and institutional capacity are lacking in the Balkans, limiting access to public services. Countries like Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro have established e-government portals, but their offerings remain inadequate. For example, while Serbia’s “eUprava” portal provides 186 services, Montenegro’s system primarily offers usage instructions rather than direct services. Cybersecurity is also a concern, as vulnerabilities have led to major ransomware attacks. Financial constraints further hinder progress, with limited state budgets failing to support comprehensive digital transformation. Although EU and international organizations offer some assistance, experts stress the need for sustainable funding to effectively promote and implement e-government solutions in the region. Read more here.
Source: BIRN