TOP 7 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRENDS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS FOR 2025
Project management in the Western Balkans is undergoing significant transformation in response to global trends, regional priorities, and the broader objective of EU integration. With a rising demand for digital competencies and sustainable development, project managers across the region are embracing new methodologies, tools, and mindsets. The development of project management has evolved into both a strategic imperative and a practical necessity as economies in the region—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—strive to conform to European standards. Recognizing that tomorrow's workforce must be equipped with both technical skills and strategic thinking, higher education institutions are beginning to incorporate advanced project management courses into their curriculums. At the same time, public institutions and governments are making investments in infrastructure projects that place an emphasis on environmental sustainability, digital accessibility, and resilience. These economies' backbones—small and medium-sized businesses, or SMEs—are being supported by specialized programs that help them adapt to the digital age and adopt greener business practices. The region is not just passively observing these trends—it is participating in shaping them. From adopting agile methodologies to integrating ESG principles, project management in the Western Balkans is evolving rapidly. Stakeholders are becoming increasingly aware that effective project management is a crucial lever for progress, despite obstacles like limited resources, brain drain, and political instability. The current trend suggests that, in the future, project managers will play a crucial role in regional development, innovation, and integration with the European Union in addition to serving as coordinators. This article explores in detail the major project management trends reshaping the Western Balkans in 2025.