A new chapter for local democracy in the Western Balkans: launch of the LORAI programme
April 1st marked an important milestone for local democracy and European integration in the Western Balkans, as CEMR joined the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the European Commission, NALAS, and local government associations from across the region to officially launch LORAI – the Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation.
The high‑level ceremony took place on the margins of the Congress’s 50th Session, bringing together European institutions, municipal leaders, experts and national associations to celebrate the beginning of a partnership designed to strengthen the role of local authorities in one of the most decisive phases of the region’s EU accession process.
A new observatory with a clear mission
LORAI is not just a new project. It is a new architecture of collaboration.
The programme, jointly established by the European Union and the Council of Europe, will support local authorities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to take a more active role in shaping, implementing, and monitoring their countries’ Reform Agendas under the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility.
For years, local and regional governments (LRGs) have been responsible for delivering essential services, infrastructure, and community support – yet they have been only marginally involved in monitoring the reforms that directly affect them. LORAI is designed to close that gap.
It aims to:
- Empower municipalities to take part in designing, monitoring and evaluating reforms
- Strengthen policy dialogue between all levels of government
- Build local capacity to identify investment priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034
- Increase transparency and accountability through an open‑access dashboard tracking reform progress on the ground
- Boost peer learning through regional exchanges, workshops, and reviews
These collective efforts will enable reforms to become not only national commitments, but tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
A strong partnership to drive real results
LORAI will be implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in partnership with:
- NALAS – Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe
- CEMR – Council of European Municipalities and Regions
- Local government associations from each beneficiary country
This partnership brings unparalleled reach, expertise and legitimacy. Each organisation plays a vital role in ensuring reforms are not abstract commitments but concrete transformations at the local level.
Opening the launch event, Congress President Gunn Marit Helgesen highlighted the stakes:
“With its unparalleled convening power among local and regional authorities, this partnership will deliver real benefits for the citizens of the Western Balkans. Real change happens when local governments are active shapers of reform; we must enable their meaningful participation in the reform process.”
Representing the European Commission, Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at DG ENEST, added:
“For citizens, progress must be visible and tangible. LORAI plays a key role in empowering local authorities to turn reform commitments into concrete results. Today marks the beginning of a fruitful collaboration.”
CEMR Vice‑President Mélanie Lepoultier emphasised the importance of linking reforms to investment readiness:
“Our mission at CEMR is to transform local experiences into actionable policy. Through LORAI, we will support local officials to convert reforms into investment roadmaps aligned with the next Multiannual Financial Framework and foster meaningful peer‑to‑peer exchanges.”
NALAS President Dubravko Bilić stressed the Observatory’s long‑term value:
“Sustainable progress requires tracking implementation where it matters most—at the local level. LORAI will ensure reforms deliver measurable and lasting results for citizens.”
Why LORAI matters
Reform Agendas represent some of the most strategic commitments Western Balkan governments have made on their path towards EU accession. Yet reforms can only succeed when local governments, those closest to the citizens, are active contributors, not bystanders.
LORAI is important because it brings:
1. Accountability, where reforms are felt the most
The open-access dashboard will provide communities, governments, and partners with transparent data on how reforms are progressing locally.
2. Stronger multilevel governance
The programme strengthens collaboration between national and local authorities, ensuring reforms are implemented realistically and sustainably.
3. Investment-ready local priorities
LRGs will be better equipped to shape priorities for future EU funding, especially in the next MFF (2028–2034).
4. A regional ecosystem of learning
Peer exchanges, workshops, and reviews will allow governments from Western Balkan countries to learn from each other, share solutions, and amplify impact.
For CEMR, this programme is fully aligned with our mission:
To ensure that Europe’s local and regional governments are empowered, heard, and equipped to shape the future of their communities.
Looking ahead
With a dedicated budget of €2,222,222 for its first two years and a duration running from March 2026 to February 2028 (with the possibility of extension), LORAI is set to become a cornerstone for stronger governance, better reforms, and deeper European integration in the Western Balkans countries.
For more information contact:
Advisor – Eastern Partnership and Geographical Dialogues
