On May 27, a significant regional conference on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) was held in Podgorica, aiming to strengthen cooperation and advance sustainable development across the Western Balkans. Organized under the framework of the “Go PPP” project financed by the Norwegian Embassy and Smart Balkans the event focused on presenting key findings from recent research conducted in Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia, and fostering a constructive dialogue on improving PPP practices.
The conference’s core mission was to assess how PPPs are functioning in practice, evaluate their public value, and explore how these models can be enhanced to contribute to economic growth and better public services. Beyond presenting data, the gathering served as a much-needed space for institutional reflection, exchange of experiences, and regional coordination.
𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞
ACER participated through the active involvement of institutions such as the Supreme State Audit Institution (ALSAI), ATRAKO, the Ministry of Finance, and AMVV. Their insights provided a grounded view of the current PPP landscape in the country, highlighting successful case studies, statistical findings, and best practices developed in recent years.
In addition, they shed light on the remaining gaps that need to be addressed especially in areas like long-term value for the public, institutional capacity, and contract transparency. These contributions emphasized that effective PPPs are not simply technical contracts, but tools that can and should deliver lasting economic and social benefits to citizens.
𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞
A particularly meaningful outcome of the discussions was the recognition that Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro face many of the same challenges when it comes to managing and implementing PPPs. From legislative frameworks and oversight mechanisms to citizen engagement and risk management, the countries’ shared experiences revealed common ground and common potential.
This realization deepened the sense of regional solidarity. The conference did more than compare models or policies; it reinforced the value of collaboration and opened the door to coordinated efforts for future progress. Participants noted that aligning efforts and learning from each other could accelerate reforms and strengthen the collective capacity of the region.
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
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