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

On 26 February 2026, the beginning of the implementation of the third phase of the Programme “Strengthening the Institutional Capacities of the Central Banks of the Western Balkans for Integration into the European System of Central Banks” (2026-2029) within the EU IPA III was officially marked in the Banca d'Italia.

The Programme is managed by the Deutsche Bundesbank, with the support of the European Central Bank, and 19 members of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB). The aim of the Programme is to further strengthen the institutional capacities of the central banks and supervisory agencies from the Western Balkans through the improvement of policies and analytical instruments in line with the EU acquis and a focus on integration into the ESCB. The Programme will last 36 months, with an EU budget of € 3,000,000.00.

For the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the participation in this Programme is of high strategic importance, through the strengthening of institutional resilience, transparency and professional standards, which further strengthens the international credibility of the CBBH.

By investing in knowledge, modernisation and international cooperation, the CBBH confirms its role as a reliable partner of the European Union and an active participant in the process of economic convergence and stability of BH.

At the ceremony in Rome, the Deputy Governor of the Banca d'Italia, Chiara Scotti, and the representative of the European Commission, Giulio Venneri, pointed out that the support of the ESCB and the European Union to the central banks of the region is a part of a broader strategy of enlargement policy and economic convergence.

The original statement of the Bundesbank is available at the link: 

https://www.bundesbank.de/en/press/press-releases/the-deutsche-bundesbank-and-the-european-commission-have-launched-another-eu-funded-programme-to-further-support-central-banks-and-banking-supervisory-agencies-in-eu-candidate-countries-and-potential-candidates-from-the-western-balkans-990056