Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act

Summary

Directs a U.S. regional strategy to strengthen democracy, security, and economic ties in the Western Balkans by boosting cyber resilience, countering Russian and Chinese influence, codifying and managing sanctions authorities, expanding anti‑corruption and economic programs, and supporting education and youth exchanges. It requires multiple interagency reports and plans, creates a Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, authorizes university partnerships and Peace Corps assessments, and sets reporting deadlines and rules for sanctions waivers and exceptions.

• Requires interagency reports on cyber resilience and on Russian/Chinese malign influence in the Western Balkans with specific assessment and reporting requirements.
• Codifies certain sanctions authorities into statute, establishes waiver and exception rules, and sunsets the authority after eight years.
• Directs a major anti‑corruption initiative and a regional 5‑year economic development and democratic resilience strategy coordinated with EU and multilateral partners.
• Creates and funds (subject to appropriations) education and youth programs: university partnerships, Peace Corps expansion analysis, and a Young Balkan Leaders Initiative.
• Expresses U.S. policy support for EU and NATO accession, opposes border changes or land swaps in the Western Balkans, and prioritizes energy diversification and independent media.
• Focuses on cybersecurity and ICT security as central to regional resilience and calls for staffing and training for cyber professionals at diplomatic posts.
• Requires multiple deadlines (180 days, 1 year) and ongoing biennial reporting to congressional committees, with unclassified reports and optional classified annexes.