Ministries in the Western Balkans and selected countries of the European Eastern Neighbourhood

Ministries remain central to government organisation, yet in recent decades their structure and performance have received limited attention. Interest has instead focused on the rise of public agencies and state owned enterprises. SIGMA’s regular assessments highlight persistent weaknesses in how ministries are organised and operate in the Western Balkans and the European Union (EU) Eastern Neighbourhood, alongside a lack of clear reform direction in an increasingly complex public administration landscape. This study aims to address this divide, analysing current challenges and examining ways forward. While no single model guarantees effective organisation, the report reviews European practices and shows that, despite differing administrative traditions, ministries share several common features. It identifies recurring issues in the Western Balkans, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine such as excessive politicisation, limited merit-based management, and weak inter-ministerial co-ordination. The study also presents potential reform actions and frames of reference to enhance ministerial effectiveness across diverse governance contexts.