Labour market inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Western Balkan region – Regional analysis and policy recommendations

Persons with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers when seeking access to employment and equal opportunities in the labour market. Understanding these challenges, as well as identifying effective support mechanisms, is essential for creating more inclusive societies across the Western Balkans.
Drawing on extensive research conducted between December 2024 and March 2025, the publication analyses legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, employment policies, active labour market measures, and financial support mechanisms in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The report also presents selected examples of good practice from European Union member states.

The report, prepared within the EMPOWERED project, provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation and examines the key factors shaping labour market inclusion of people with disabilities in the region.