Work

From Rules to Reality: Cultural Property Protection in the Western Balkans

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines how the effectiveness of cultural property protection frameworks in five Western Balkan countries is assessed in the existing literature, with particular attention to cross-border challenges related to illicit trafficking, provenance verification, and enforcement practices. It contributes to the comparative literature by providing a structured synthesis of how the practical operation of legal provisions for cultural property protection is described across the region. The study employs a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, ensuring a transparent and replicable process for identifying, screening, and evaluating relevant academic and policy sources published between 2000 and 2025. The review covers Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, integrating legal and institutional perspectives. The findings indicate that, although the countries examined have made significant progress in aligning their legal frameworks with EU and international standards, substantial implementation challenges persist. These include limited institutional coordination, insufficient traceability mechanisms, and uneven enforcement capacity across jurisdictions. The role of intermediaries and the complexity of cross-border movements further complicate effective regulation. Overall, the study demonstrates that the effectiveness of cultural property protection depends not only on formal legal alignment but also on the institutional capacity to implement and enforce existing rules. By identifying shared challenges and differences across national contexts, the paper contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural heritage protection and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.

Source: Heritage

DOI: 10.3390/heritage9100419

Authors: Klodiana Gorica, Ermira H. Kalaj, Sanja Kovačić, Valentina Todoroska, Kosjenka Dumančić

Institutions: University of Tirana, University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi", University of Novi Sad, University of Zagreb, Ekonomski fakultet - Zagreb

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930