2020 has been a year for the books. The global COVID-19 pandemic shattered pre-existent economic forecasts and standards of living in the four corners of the globe. From strict national lockdowns and fatigued health institutions to dissolved businesses, the world is in disarray. This report looks into the Western Balkans in particular, with a further deeper dive into the Kosovar national reality. The report analyzes general crisis mitigating policies and economic recovery tools adopted in the region, and assess their impact, still within the uncertainty of how long the pandemic will call for unprecedented measures.

How has the developing region been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic? Which mitigating measures did government take, and to what significant impact? How have the privileged neighborly ties to the EU proven beneficial in matters of aid and economic relief? What do expert organizations forecast for the region and for the Republic of Kosovo in specific? The analysis tackles these indicative issues using up-to-date figures and comparative studies between Western Balkans countries themselves and vis-à-vis EU Member States. The report will start by analyzing the financial crisis at hand and the recession the region is entering, to then look at EU support in the aftermath of the crisis outbreak, and finally present expert proposals on how to expect economic recovery to evolve moving forward