Safeguarding public financial interests in EU-funded infrastructure projects was the focus of an Executive Workshop held on 10–11 February 2025 in Mavrovo, North Macedonia. Organized as part of the technical support provided by the joint Norway/UNOPS “Knowledge for Reform Action in the Western Balkans” Programme, in cooperation with North Macedonia’s Ministry of European Affairs, the workshop gathered around 30 professionals from North Macedonia’s justice, finance, transport, public enterprises, anti-corruption, and audit sectors, alongside participants from Albania’s Ministry of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption and the Office of the Prime Minister. 

High-level speakers emphasized the critical role of financial oversight and anti-corruption measures in the effective management of EU funds, highlighting the need for stronger institutional coordination and accountability.

Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Arben Fetai,stressed that “corruption in infrastructure is not just a financial issue, but an obstacle to development and citizens' trust in institutions. Studies show that corrupt practices can raise project costs by up to 30%, hurting public investment and the quality of services for citizens”.

According to Orhan Murtezani, Minister of European Affairs of North-Macedonia, “with the approval of our reform agenda, North Macedonia has gained access to over EUR 750 million through the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility – a significant opportunity, which also requires strict financial oversight. The European Commission made it clear: progress in the fight against corruption is not an option – it is a necessity,”. 

This idea was also reinforced by Steffen Hudolin,  Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in the country. Following his statement “the EU has implemented strict legal standards and preventive measures to ensure transparency and accountability”. North Macedonia's and Western Balkan Countries' low absorption capacities for EU-funded infrastructure projects was a stark reminder of what happens without proper planning and oversight.

Contributing to that, as Ms. Christa Arent, UNOPS’s Europe and Central Asia, Regional Management and Oversight Senior Advisor stated, “through cross-border cooperation, technical dialogue, a strong in-country presence, deep understanding of local contexts and the region's challenges and opportunities, the K4R programme responds to the citizens' aspirations in the region. This workshop serves as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, drawing on experiences from EU member states and promoting learning across the region”.