After two years of preparation led by the Regional Cooperation Council, a South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020) was adopted in November 2013. The document was adopted by countries in the region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, and the SE has been recognized as an important instrument for tackling unemployment, poverty and social exclusion.
The RCC commitment to foster implementation of the SEE 2020 led to the preparation of a strategic study on SE development in the region. The study includes individual reports for each country in SEE which aimed to identify the potential for SE in the region, make concrete recommendations to national governments and propose regional initiatives that would help create a supportive environment for development of the SE region-wide.
Complete absence of an institution or a body in charge for the SE sector stands out as a major drawback typical for all countries. Insufficient awareness of the important role SE plays in social development and economic recovery has resulted in a lack of key stakeholders’ commitment to creation of a stimulating environment for SE.
Formulated recommendations are based on common experiences of the countries involved (facing with a severe macroeconomic situation – high public expenditure, high levels of public debt and budget deficit) and focused on SE development to achieve stable and sustainable growth.