Phase III of the EU-funded Programme for Strengthening the Central Bank Capacities in the Western Balkans with a view to the integration to the European System of Central Banks

The programme is the follow-up to successfully implemented first two phases and in its third phase, the same concept and organizational structure will be kept. The programme is implemented through co-ordinated approach by the Deutsche Bundesbank, as the chair, in partnership with 19 national central banks of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the European Central Bank. It will last 36 months, with a budget of € 3,000,000.

This programme phase is designed to strongly support and drive the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Agency of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Banking Agency of Republika Srpska and all Western Balkan central banks towards the EU integration and deepening long- term partnership platform.

The programme will be implemented through two components. The first component includes training activities and workshops at the regional level, addressing the most current topics in central banking and financial supervision: Accounting, Bank resolution, Banking supervision, Cash management, Communication, Central bank governance, Central banks ‘approach to sustainability, Cyber security, Data science and management, Digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence at central banks, Financial consumer protection and financial literacy, Financial education - best practices and strategies, Financial stability, Foreign reserve management, HR Management, Insurance supervision, Internal audit, Information technology, Legal affairs, Monetary policy and research, Payment systems, Statistics and SupTech and RegTech - the use of supervisory and regulatory technology.

Additionally, through high-level meetings and policy seminars the following topics will be addressed: Payment systems TIPS - market infrastructures, Independence of central banks and Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.

In the second programme component the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina will benefit from direct bilateral support by partner ESCB central banks, corresponding to the CBBH demand-driven institutional needs.

Press release available here

Continuation of the EU Partnership Within the Programme for Central Banks from the Western Balkans