Launched in August 2025, this initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience in the energy sector across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and potentially Moldova and Ukraine. With strategic guidance from the Slovak Republic, the project addresses growing cyber threats to critical infrastructure by strengthening institutional capacities, promoting public-private partnerships, and fostering regional coordination.
Aligned with EU frameworks like the NIS2 Directive, the initiative supports the digital transformation goals of the Western Balkans Growth Plan, while accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI. By catalyzing investments for infrastructure upgrades, capacity building, and cybersecurity solutions, the project will engage the private sector to leverage innovation, ensuring sustained financial support and long-term regional resilience and creating new investment opportunities.
Key Intervention Areas
The project is centered around four main intervention areas:
Cybersecurity Assessment in the Energy Sector
- Conduct national cybersecurity assessments to identify risks, gaps, and capabilities in the energy sector using international frameworks.
- Evaluate policies, regulations, and infrastructure.
- Map key stakeholders, including energy providers, private sector partners, and government agencies.
- Integrate gender-responsive measures into national strategies.
- Provide practical recommendations to address critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Capacity Building and NIS2 Implementation
- Develop and deliver country-specific training programs for energy sector operators, regulators, and cybersecurity officials to strengthen cybersecurity readiness, aligned with NIS2 and national priorities.
- Promote gender-inclusive training and diverse participation.
- Establish regional working groups to share knowledge and best practices.
- Support integration of NIS2 standards into national and sector-specific frameworks.
Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Exchange
- Establish regional cooperation mechanisms to foster dialogue, learning, and collaboration.
- Organize events and meetings to bring together experts, authorities, and private sector actors.
- Create a regional expert roster and platforms for continuous knowledge sharing.
- Support partnerships between regional institutions and international organizations to strengthen cybersecurity governance.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Infrastructure in the Energy Sector
- Support implementation of national cybersecurity standards (especially NIS2) and mobilize investments for public and private utilities.
- Conduct sector-specific assessments, develop protocols, and engage authorities and private stakeholders.
- Implement targeted audits and public-private partnerships to enhance cybersecurity in partner countries.
- Improve incident response, monitoring, and training, including gender-responsive approaches.
Partner countries
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia
Project Partners
Government of the Slovak Republic through the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic: Provides expertise and lessons learned from national cybersecurity strategies, including NIS2-aligned approaches.
National Cybersecurity Agencies and Ministries of Energy in the four partner countries: Lead implementation and coordination at the country level.
National Cybersecurity Agencies and Ministries of Energy in the four partner countries: Lead implementation and coordination at the country level.
UNDP Country Offices and Istanbul Regional Hub: Coordinate the initiative and ensure alignment with broader digital transformation and governance priorities.