Across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region, important laws and policies have been adopted to combat racism and discrimination but putting them into practice remains a challenge. Victims still need stronger protection and easier access to effective remedies. These are among the key findings of a new comparative study on anti-racism, published with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The study reviews the current state of the anti-racism efforts across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. It identifies significant progress in the efforts to fight racism and intolerance, while points out the need for stronger legal and institutional safeguards from the public authorities in respective Beneficiaries. The study recommends better co-ordination among institutions and public actors working to combat racism underlining that mandates of the actors need to be clear and co-operation among relevant domestic stakeholders to be reinforced in support of a more effective implementation of anti-racism policies.

The analysis highlights the continued challenges in the collection and use of disaggregated equality data on racial and ethnic discrimination. Such data collection remains limited in several Beneficiaries. Without reliable data, governments cannot develop evidence-based policies while victims may find it harder to access legal remedies.

Laws and institutions are only part of the solution. Public awareness, education and meaningful participation of affected communities matter just as much. When civil society and affected communities help to shape anti-racism policies, these policies are more likely to reflect people’s experiences, priorities and needs. Progress in these areas can contribute to stronger democratic resilience, greater social cohesion and the better protection of human rights.

The EU integration and enlargement processes for all the Beneficiaries offer an important opportunity to build on this progress. Anti-racism is closely linked with the EU acquis, and in particular relevant to Chapter 23 in the negotiation process focusing on judicial and fundamental rights. As the study assesses comprehensive, well-resourced and participatory anti-racism plans, can help beneficiaries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region align more closely with European anti-racism standards and ultimately build more inclusive and equal societies.

This study was conducted within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans”  and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies”, which are part, respectively  of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.

*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.