On 5 May 2026, the lauch event of the EU-funded project entitled “Improving the resilience of critical entities and the protection of public spaces and cyberspace against security threats in the Western Balkans” took place at the premises of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C), located in the Science and Technology Park in Podgorica.
The project will be implemented across six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
Funded by the European Commission, this initiative represents the new phase of the regional project “Enhancing Protection of Public Spaces and Critical Infrastructure in the Western Balkans” WB CIPS 2023-2026, which aimed to align security systems in the region with European Union standards, particularly in the fields of critical infrastructure protection and public space security.
In its new phase (2026 – 2029), the project aims to address remaining gaps, particularly in the area of public-private partnerships (PPP), by moving from theoretical frameworks to practical implementation. A key component will also include the development of a regional training programme by WB3C, aimed at strengthening capacities in the field of cybersecurity.
The project will continue to be implemented by a consortium composed of four EU Member States: France (lead country), Italy, Croatia, and Greece.
Albania was represented at the event by the National Coordinator for P/CVE, the Director of the Counter-terrorism Directorate of the State Police, the Director of the Cybercrime Investigation Directorate, and a representative of National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA).
The CVE Center continues to serve as the national focal point for Albania, coordinating the implementation of the Project. In this context, on 6-7 May 2026, the first meetings of the three technical working groups under the CEPS component were held in Podgorica, marking the start of practical cooperation in protecting public spaces, enhancing the resilience of critical entities, and strengthening public-private partnerships across the region.