An expert session was held to strengthen legal standards and practical tools for protecting individuals from discrimination in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions. This event is part of the recently initiated Training of Trainers programme.

Bringing together over 30 representatives from governmental institutions and equality bodies, the session focused on the protected grounds outlined in the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) General Policy Recommendation No. 7. Participants stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to anti-discrimination legislation, policies and practical measures.

The session also explored key provisions of the EU Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia, highlighting synergies between Council of Europe standards and European Union acquis.

Over the next four months, participants will develop both substantive expertise and practical teaching skills to deliver the online course “Combating Racism and Racial Discrimination” at the domestic level. The course, based on the ECRI General Policy Recommendation No. 7 and the EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025, has been translated into eight local languages and will be made available through public administration training centres. This will support civil servants in integrating anti-discrimination principles into their professional development and day-to-day work.

A wider roll-out of the online course is planned for 2026, tailored to the specific needs and technical capacities of each beneficiary institution. In the long term, the course will evolve into a self-learning resource to a broader audience, including students, civil society organisations, and the general public.

This event is organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies”, which are respectively parts of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programmes “Horizontal Facility III for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance”.