A stable, democratic, prosperous and resilient Western Balkans, able to contribute to European security and deal with threats, is in the interests of the UK. There are a number of factors which contribute towards the UK’s comparative advantage in the region. This includes the availability of strong partnerships and recognised UK Government expertise on media freedom, cyber security and democracy coupled with proven experience in delivering flexible, responsive and impactful programmes. The UK also has a strong political commitment to the region and to defending media freedom. WHAT HMG OBJECTIVE AND WHICH SDGS (IF SPENDING ODA) DOES THIS CONTRIBUTE TO? The UK recognises the fundamental impact conflict and instability have on realising sustainable development and poverty reduction. HMG has committed through the UK aid strategy (2015) to use its ODA budget to strengthen global peace, security and governance by investing more to tackle the causes of instability, insecurity and conflict. The Western Balkans MCD CSSF Programme funds projects, using ODA and non-ODA, to build regional resilience to malign external influence, to support the region’s Euro-Atlantic path and to promote positive UK values. This supports the government’s overarching objective for a more peaceful, stable and resilient Western Balkans. The Programme works towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies in recognition of the fundamental importance this has to long term stability. The Programme also works towards aspects of: SDG 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and SDG 10 to reduce inequalities within and between countries. WHAT RESULTS DOES THE UK EXPECT TO ACHIEVE? The Western Balkans MCD CSSF Programme aims to deliver the following overarching outputs over the 2020/21 financial year: • Training and capacity building for a stronger, more independent, media sector able to engage effectively with target audiences on political issues and critically assess political developments. • Media in the Western Balkans are more sustainably independent. • State institutions communicate more transparently and engage citizens more effectively. • Target audiences better able to identify disinformation. • Facilitate cyber resilience cooperation across the Western Balkans. • Maintain a safe and secure environment through our commitments to international peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to NATOs Kosovo Force. • Support the development of professionalised Armed Forces who remain committed to security sector reform. • The Armed Forces of the Western Balkans region are able to deploy and operate more effectively together, including the support they provide to civil authorities, in line with NATO standards. • Procedures and regulations (with gender integrated throughout) to increase long-term civilian oversight and democratic control of the Armed Forces in Western Balkans countries. • Support to institutions in Western Balkan Governments to respond to threats from weapons trafficking and to improve their management of weapons stockpiles. These outputs should contribute to the following outcomes: • Increased regional stability and greater resilience to malign influence. • Media content in the Western Balkans is more diverse and encourages more informed, open and active discussion. • Western Balkans states have the tools, governance, and awareness of cyber issues to be capable of developing their capacity to resist cyber-attack.