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.

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.

This section features thematic reports and outputs developed in the framework of specific capacity-building activities conducted under the Dashboard Western Balkans project.

Results of Case-Flow Data Collection and the Use of Case-Flow Data to Enhance Efficiency – Regional Workshop, Budapest, 21 November 2023

Held in Budapest on 21 November 2023, this regional workshop brought together beneficiary correspondents and institutional partners to review the results of the case-flow data collection and discuss how such data can be used to enhance judicial efficiency. Organised within the Dashboard Western Balkans II project, the event fostered peer exchange on common challenges and good practices in data collection and quality control. The report and conclusions of the workshop can be accessed through the link below.

Link: Results of Case-Flow Data Collection and the Use of Case-Flow Data to Enhance Efficiency

Overview of Prosecutorial Systems and Case-Flow Data Collection in the Western Balkans – Regional Workshop, Budapest, 26 February 2025

This regional workshop, held on 26 February 2025 in Budapest, focused on the organisation of prosecutorial systems and the collection of case-flow data across the Western Balkans. Within the framework of the Dashboard Western Balkans project, CEPEJ correspondents from the beneficiaries and representatives of public prosecution services met to exchange practices, address common challenges, and explore avenues for harmonising prosecutorial data collection. The workshop’s key outcomes is available in the document below.

Link: Overview of Prosecutorial Systems and Case-Flow Data Collection in the Western Balkans

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 (2019-2024). Each of the 12 indicators is introduced by an overview of the main regional trends.

 Part 1 – Comparative tables and graphs

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.

 Part 2 - Beneficiaries profiles:

•    Albania
•    Bosnia and Herzegovina
•    Montenegro
•    North Macedonia
•    Serbia
•    Kosovo*

Two documents to show the results of the data collection for 2024 were delivered to European Commission in the framework of the Dashboard Western Balkans Action.

 Link to the previous data collection cycles