2019 – 2022 / 2023 – 2026

Context of the Action

This Action is implemented in the framework of the Horizontal Facility III (2023 - 2026), a co-operation initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe for the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The Horizontal Facility III enables the beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards. It is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe. It builds upon the results and progress achieved under the first phase of the programme, implemented in the period 2019 - 2022.

Objectives of the Action

The overall objective is to reach a better measurement of the results of the judicial reforms conducted by the beneficiaries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo*) to allow them to base their future policies and budget allocations on the CEPEJ findings to address outstanding steps needed to complete their reforms and improve the quality, efficiency and/or accountability of their justice system in line with European standards. To this end, the Action will support the annual collection and processing of data on the functioning of the judicial systems of the beneficiaries and provide and implement tailor-made technical expertise and capacity building activities designed from the results of the data collection.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Expected results

• Improved mechanisms of collection, processing and analysis of judicial data in accordance with CEPEJ standards and tools with the beneficiaries;
• Strengthened capacity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the judicial system and measure the results of the judicial reforms within the beneficiaries.

Methodology of data collection

The CEPEJ collects annually data of the preceding year on the functioning of the justice system in each beneficiary. The methodology for the collection and quality check of data used by the CEPEJ in Evaluation cycles apply to this exercise. Each beneficiary appoints a Dashboard correspondent entrusted with the collection and coordination of the replies to the CEPEJ Dashboard Questionnaire, through the electronic system: CEPEJ-COLLECT. This correspondent is the unique interlocutor of the CEPEJ Secretariat during the whole process. The CEPEJ Questionnaire contains questions from the general CEPEJ evaluation cycles, and some additional questions specific for this Action, some defined in liaison with the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Department for the execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The CEPEJ Dashboard Questionnaire is accompanied by an explanatory note to ensure comparability of data collected through this process. Extensive work is carried out by the Action team responsible for the data collection within the CEPEJ secretariat to verify the quality of the data submitted by the project correspondents.

 Dashboard Western Balkans Questionnaire (2023 Data)

 Dashboard Western Balkans Explanatory Note (2023 Data)

2022 Data collection results

Two documents to show the results of the data collection for 2022 were delivered to European Commission in the framework of the Dashboard Western Balkans Action.
Comparative tables and graphs explore the regional trends regarding some indicators related to efficiency and quality of the justice systems in the Western Balkans beneficiaries. These tables and graphs also include previous cycles’ data (2021-2019 as well as the 2018 data when available). Each of the 12 indicators is introduced by an overview of the main regional trends.
Moreover, the CEPEJ prepared 6 “Beneficiary Profiles” to provide an in-depth user-friendly analysis of each beneficiary’s justice system. Infographics, tables, graphs, comparisons with previous cycles’ data as well as with the regional medians have been used. Narrative explanations have been added throughout the document to further facilitate the understanding of the presented data, as well as two-page executive summary. Each profile also includes specific analysis for certain indicators related to the independence and accountability of the judicial system.

  Dashboard Western Balkans Questionnaire 

 Dashboard Western Balkans Explanatory Note to the Questionnaire

 Part 1 – Comparative tables and graphs

Part 2 - Beneficiaries profiles

   Albania

   Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Montenegro

   North Macedonia

   Serbia

   Kosovo*

Specific resources

Use of Caseflow data to enhance efficiency in the Western Balkans: results of a regional workshop

PowerPoint presentations by the beneficiaries

   Albania-Data Collection

   Albania-Results and activities

   Bosnia and Herzegovina-Data collection

   Bosnia and Herzegovina-Results and activities

   Kosovo*-Data Collection

   Kosovo*-Results and activities

   Montenegro-Data Collection

   Montenegro-Results and activities

2021 Data collection results

Part 1 – Comparative tables and graphs

Part 2 - Beneficiaries profiles

   Albania

   Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Montenegro

   North Macedonia

   Serbia

   Kosovo*

2020 Data collection results 
Part 1 – Comparative tables and graphs
Part 2 - Beneficiaries profiles 
  Albania
  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Montenegro
  North Macedonia
  Serbia
  Kosovo*