Digital Transformation

Connecting the region

Objectives

  • Integrate the Western Balkans into the pan-European digital area
  • Better connectivity in the region
  • Roaming Free Western Balkans
  • Lower roaming costs between the Western Balkans and the European Union
  • Modern regional broadband infrastructure and 5G networks developed
  • Digitally upskilled workforce
  • Regional dialogue on Western Balkans digital transformation
  • Interoperable cross border services
  • Enable free flow of personal and non-personal data
  • Enhance cyber resilience in the Western Balkan

Results

  • Roaming free Western Balkans
  • The RCC brokered a Regional Roaming Agreement in 2019 that led to substantial reduction of roaming prices in the region from 1 July 2019 and roaming free region from  1 July 2021
  • We networked contact points responsible for Broadband Competence Offices (BCOs) in WB economies
  • RCC contributed to regional dialogue on broadband investments and 5G deployment
  • We created a self-sustainable regional framework to support digital upskilling and reskilling and enhanced regional capacities on developing digital skills strategies
  • RCC contributed to regional dialogue on WB DESI
  • We launched regional coordination towards enhanced regional capacities on electronic identification and trust services
  • RCC promoted digital innovative solutions through Balkathon
  • We networked CSIRTs and supported the strengthening of capacities on cybersecurity
  • The RCC supported the establishment of a structured high level regional dialog on digital transformation in a form of the Western Balkans Digital Summit

Digital transformation is an essential change in the process of using digital technologies to create new experiences, opportunities, innovative business processes and market requirements.

Embracing digital transformation by all key stakeholders in the region, i.e. ensuring greater availability of digital infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, creating a trustworthy regional space and competitive environment for innovative businesses, working on digital upskilling, as well as enabling better regulatory framework that provides regulatory stability and consistency over time, can help Western Balkan region grow.

It will strengthen ties and cooperation within the region, and increase the convergence with the European Union, with the primary goal to make Western Balkans fit for Digital Age.

Next steps

  • Support effective implementation of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans through CRM
  • Alignment of WB Digital Agenda with EU Digital Single Market (DSM) principles and practices and relevant European strategies

Contact Points

Pranvera Kastrati

Pranvera Kastrati

Acting Head of Programme Department


rcc@rcc.int

Milena Jocic Tanaskovic

Milena Jocic Tanaskovic

Expert on Digital Connectivity


rcc@rcc.int

User

Tanja Maraš

Expert on Digital Connectivity


rcc@rcc.int