Study on ‘The local and regional dimension of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans’

Project

18 Nov 2025 - 26 Feb 2026

Sustainable policies

Agnieszka Kulesa

Oskar Chmiel

Hilary Kalisiak

Katsiaryna Kasykh

Date:

18 Nov 2025 - 26 Feb 2026
Financed by:

The European Committee of the Regions
Partner/Subcontractor:

London School of Economics

Agnieszka Kulesa

Lead Social Sciences Researcher
Dr Agnieszka Kulesa is the Lead Social Sciences Researcher at CASE. She supports business development and oversees and contributes to research and analytical projects. Having joined CASE in 2018 as an economist, she served as Vice-President of the Management Board from 2021 to 2024. Agnieszka has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including peer-reviewed articles and reports for European institutions such as the European Commission (EC), the European Parliament (EP), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

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Oskar Chmiel

Senior Social Sciences Researcher
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Hilary Kalisiak

Junior Specialist in Social Sciences
Katsiaryna Kasykh

Project Manager
Katsiaryna Kasykh is an experienced project and program and manager with over 18 years of expertise, specializing in territorial and cross-border cooperation program and project management, territorial marketing, ecology, sustainable development, area-based development, and humanitarian aid projects. She has successfully implemented numerous social and humanitarian projects, combining her skills in strategic planning and management with a deep commitment to fostering collaboration across regions. Ms. Kasykh holds a MA degree in Management and Economics from Brest State Technical University and a postgraduate diploma in Customs Law from Belarusian State University. For over 15 years she was on managerial position in NGO Sector in Belarus. Her professional background includes leading roles in designing and managing large-scale initiatives funded by local and international donors (incl. EU, UN,UNDP, UNHCR,USAID), with a focus on environmental issues, sustainable development, and community-led projects. Additionally, Ms. Kasykh has extensive expertise in Eastern Partnership programs, working on cross-border cooperation strategies and contributing to regional development initiatives. Her work in developing regional development strategies, overseeing cross-border cooperation programs, and delivering impactful area-based development projects demonstrates her ability to create solutions that address complex regional challenges while promoting ecological and social sustainability.

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In this project requested by the European Committee of the Regions, CASE will prepare an in-depth analytical study for the European Committee of the Regions on the role of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the implementation of the new Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans: a EUR 6 billion EU instrument designed to accelerate socio-economic convergence and support key reforms across the region.

The study will examine how LRAs are consulted and involved in the programming, governance and monitoring of the Facility. It will assess the accessibility of financial support and technical assistance at the subnational level. It will analyse national coordination structures, consultation mechanisms, transparency practices and the territorial impact of planned investment measures.

Drawing on comparisons with the Ukraine Facility and IPA III, the researchers will identify governance challenges and highlight best practices to strengthen LRAs’ participation in EU-driven reforms. The final report will provide actionable recommendations for EU institutions and Western Balkan governments, along with a practical guidance leaflet to support LRAs in navigating funding opportunities under the Facility.

The project contributes to the Committee of the Regions’ work on reinforcing the role of local and regional authorities in the EU enlargement process and supporting their involvement in democratic, administrative and economic reforms across the Western Balkans.

Scope of the project:

comprehensive desk research on the Regulation establishing the Facility and national programming documents across the Western Balkans;
qualitative research methodology, including semi-structured interviews with EU institutions, LRAs, and regional stakeholders;
analysis of governance arrangements, consultation mechanisms and monitoring frameworks relevant to LRA involvement;
mapping of planned investment measures and sectoral initiatives with territorial impact, supported by clear visualisations and comparative tables;
assesses the availability and effectiveness of technical assistance for LRAs, including capacity-building and administrative support;
comparative insights based on lessons from the Ukraine Facility and IPA III;
analytical study, including conclusions and tailored policy recommendations;
two-page guidance leaflet for LRAs on navigating funding opportunities under the Facility.

Related projects

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Study on ‘The local and regional dimension of the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans’

Date:

Financed by:

Partner/Subcontractor:

Agnieszka Kulesa

Projects from this author:

Oskar Chmiel

Projects from this author:

Hilary Kalisiak

Katsiaryna Kasykh

Projects from this author:

Related projects

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