Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo *, North Macedonia and Serbia are all facing immense socioeconomic challenges, overburdened with ethnic tensions and conflicts. Economic consolidation is slow and reaches only a part of the population. The COVID-19 pandemics has added complexity to an already deteriorating situation for citizens with low income and poor living conditions.  Despite the ongoing reforms in the area of rule of law and human rights, many people in all target economies in the Western Balkans experience multiple discrimination, based on gender, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation. Traditional roles, prejudices especially against members of the Roma minority and members of the LGBTI community, and exclusion of people with disabilities are anchored deeply in the society and influence the political discourse. This results in increased desire of many (particularly young) people in the region to emigrate and further exacerbation of societal and political conflicts. 

Diversity management is, generally, observed as a relevant area of national and local governments’ concern to create social justice and to eliminate discrimination against minorities. However, it is primarily a governance tool which lacks general attention and is largely absent from a range of public services or is not properly integrated into them.

* This note is without prejudice to positions on status and is in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo