The EU Initiative on the Integrative and Complementary Approach to Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism in the Western Balkans (WBCTi) received significant support from EU institutions (European Commission, Council of the EU and the European External Action Service as well as the EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator) from the initial stages, and was subsequently endorsed by the Council of the EU at the level of ministers in late 2015 in the form of Council Conclusions, accompanied by a first multiannual WBCTi Integrative Plan of Action (iPA) for the period 2015-2017. The Council Conclusions invite EU actors (relevant EU institutions, agencies and 28 EU Member States) to coordinate planned actions by means of the WBCTi, in order to effectively identify and fill identified gaps, join expertise and create synergies using resources more rationally. 

The WBCTi originates from the Brdo Process regional ministerial framework chaired by Slovenia, where the ministers of interior/security of the Western Balkan Countries had demonstrated a strong and clear political demand for a more coordinated action in this policy field. Based on the 2015 Brdo Process Ministerial Conference Conclusions, Slovenia proposed the Initiative on EU level and the European Commission devoted financial support. Austria joined Slovenia as Co-Lead Partner/co-leader of the initiative. A number of important international partners recognised the advantage of this integrative approach and joined the WBCTi partnership, which today comprises more than fifty actors.

On 6 February 2018, the new EU Strategy for the Western Balkans reiterated the importance of the WBCTi in ensuring coherence and synergies of actions.

The WBCTi is neither an implementing entity nor an organisation; it is a process aimed to strengthen cooperation of the EU with its neighbouring region, whose security has had high implications for EU’s own security. This includes coordination with and streamlining of activities among national beneficiaries of the region, bilateral projects, regional and international instruments and organizations, EU Member States, institutions and agencies, and third state donors.