Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo strengthens its path toward European integration through participation in EU-funded ESCB capacity-building programme

The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) welcomes the launch of Phase III of the EU-funded “Programme for Strengthening the Central Bank Capacities in the Western Balkans”, jointly implemented by the Deutsche Bundesbank, 19 national central banks of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), and the European Central Bank (ECB). The kick-off event was hosted by Banca d’Italia, marking the formal commencement of this new phase of cooperation, and was also attended by the representative delegated by the CBK.  The programme represents a significant step forward in supporting CBK’s continued institutional development and its alignment with European standards on the path toward integration into the ESCB.

Funded by the European Union with €3 million under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III), the 36-month programme is designed to enhance the analytical, regulatory, and supervisory capacities of central banks and supervisory authorities across the Western Balkans. For the CBK, this initiative provides targeted technical support aimed at strengthening policy tools, regulatory frameworks, and operational practices in line with international and European best standards.

As a beneficiary institution, the CBK will actively engage in an intensive regional training programme and bilateral technical assistance measures tailored to its institutional priorities. The programme will focus on key strategic central banking areas, including anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), cyber risk resilience, data science and data governance, digital transformation, innovation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in central banking. High-level policy dialogue will also address central bank independence and developments in payment systems—areas of direct relevance to the CBK’s mandate.

Through its participation, the CBK reaffirms its commitment to strengthening financial stability, enhancing supervisory effectiveness, and modernising its institutional framework in preparation for deeper European integration. The programme further supports the CBK’s objective of aligning its regulatory and supervisory practices with the acquis communautaire and ESCB standards, while fostering sustainable partnerships with peer institutions across the European Union. The programme is implemented by the Deutsche Bundesbank as its coordinator in partnership with the Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique, Българска народна банка (Bulgarian National Bank), the Bank of Greece, the Banco de España, the Banque de France, Hrvatska narodna banka, the Central Bank of Ireland, Banca d’Italia, Lietuvos bankas, the Banque centrale du Luxembourg, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Narodowy Bank Polski, the Banco de Portugal, Banca Naţională a României, Banka Slovenije, Národná banka Slovenska and Sveriges Riksbank. The European Central Bank will contribute to the programme’s implementation.