[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4741 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4741

 To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States 
   and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 2, 2022

  Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
 Cardin, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was 
     read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To encourage increased trade and investment between the United States 
   and the countries in the Western Balkans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Western Balkans 
Democracy and Prosperity Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4. Defined term.
Sec. 5. Codification of sanctions relating to the Western Balkans.
Sec. 6. Democratic and economic development and prosperity initiatives.
Sec. 7. Countering malign influence and promoting cross-cultural 
                            engagement.
Sec. 8. Peace Corps in the Western Balkans.
Sec. 9. Balkans Youth Leadership Initiative.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The six countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, 
        Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, 
        and Serbia) form a pluralistic, multi-ethnic region in the 
        heart of Europe that is critical to Europe's peace, stability, 
        and prosperity.
            (2) Continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the 
        Western Balkans is directly tied to opportunities for 
        democratic and economic advancement available to the citizens 
        and residents of those six countries.
            (3) It is in the mutual interest of the United States and 
        the six countries of the Western Balkans to promote stable and 
        sustainable economic growth and development in the region.
            (4) The reforms and integration with the European Union 
        pursued by countries in the Western Balkans have led to 
        significant democratic and economic progress in the region.
            (5) Despite economic progress, rates of poverty and 
        unemployment in the Western Balkans remain higher than in 
        neighboring European Union countries.
            (6) Out-migration, particularly of youth, is affecting 
        demographics in every country in the Western Balkans, resulting 
        in negative population growth in all six countries.
            (7) Creating a welcoming environment for investment and 
        creating employment opportunities in the Western Balkans, 
        especially for youth, can provide powerful tools for economic 
        development and for encouraging broader participation in a 
        political process that increases prosperity for all.
            (8) Offering opportunities for inclusive, transparent 
        economic growth and merit-based employment to people living in 
        the Western Balkans will encourage higher levels of trade and 
        direct investment and support positive economic and political 
        developments occurring throughout the region.
            (9) Existing regional economic efforts, such as the Common 
        Regional Market and the Open Balkans initiative, have great 
        potential to improve the economic conditions in the Western 
        Balkans, while promoting inclusion and transparency.
            (10) The Department of Commerce, through its Foreign 
        Commercial Service, plays an important role in promoting and 
        facilitating opportunities for United States trade and 
        investment.
            (11) Corruption continues to plague the Western Balkans and 
        represents one of the greatest impediments to further economic 
        and political development in the region.
            (12) Disinformation campaigns targeting the Western Balkans 
        threaten the credibility of Western democratic institutions, 
        the integrity of national elections, and the response to COVID-
        19.
            (13) Corruption and disinformation proliferate in political 
        environments marked by autocratic control or partisan conflict.
            (14) Dependence on Russian sources of natural gas for the 
        countries of the Western Balkans ties their economies and 
        politics to the Russian Federation and inhibits their 
        aspirations for European integration.
            (15) The Western Balkans reliance on fossil fuels for 
        energy sources causes damage to the environment and to human 
        health, while inhibiting economic development in the region.
            (16) Reducing the Western Balkans' reliance on Russian 
        natural gas supplies and fossil fuels is in the national 
        interest of the United States.
            (17) China's growing influence in the Western Balkans could 
        also have a deleterious impact on strategic competition, 
        democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
            (18) The United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation plays an important role in the pursuit of United 
        States policy goals focused on economic development.
            (19) In March 2022, the President launched the European 
        Democratic Resilience Initiative to bolster democratic 
        resilience, advance anti-corruption efforts, and defend human 
        rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response Russia's war of 
        aggression.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the United States should--
            (1) encourage increased trade and investment between the 
        United States and allies and partners in the Western Balkans;
            (2) expand United States assistance to regional integration 
        efforts in the Western Balkans;
            (3) strengthen and expand regional economic integration in 
        the Western Balkans, especially enterprises owned by and 
        employing women and youth;
            (4) work with allies and partners committed to improving 
        the rule of law, energy resource diversification, democratic 
        and economic reform, and the eradication of poverty in the 
        Western Balkans;
            (5) increase United States trade and investment with the 
        Western Balkans, particularly in ways that--
                    (A) decrease dependence on Russian energy sources 
                and fossil fuels;
                    (B) increase energy diversification, efficiency, 
                and conservation; and
                    (C) facilitate the transition to cleaner and more 
                reliable sources of energy, including renewables;
            (6) facilitate the development of strong civil societies, 
        independent media, transparent, accountable, citizen-responsive 
        governance, and political stability in the Western Balkans;
            (7) support the expeditious accession of the countries in 
        the Western Balkans to the European Union and to the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for those that desire 
        membership;
            (8) support--
                    (A) maintaining the full European Union Force 
                (EUFOR) mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina as being in 
                the national security interests of the United States;
                    (B) encouraging NATO and the European Union to 
                review their mission mandates and posture in Bosnia and 
                Herzegovina to ensure they are playing a proactive role 
                in establishing a safe and secure environment, 
                particularly the defense environment;
                    (C) using the voice of the United States in NATO to 
                encourage alliance planning and support of an 
                international military force to maintain a safe and 
                secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
                especially if Russia blocks reauthorization of the 
                mission in the United Nations; and
                    (D) a strengthened NATO headquarters in Sarajevo;
            (9) continue security cooperation with Albania, Montenegro, 
        and North Macedonia through the auspices of NATO and through 
        continued bilateral cooperation;
            (10) continue to support Montenegro's ongoing accession 
        negotiations with the European Union, including by providing 
        assistance to Montenegro to help the country promptly meet 
        European Union membership criteria;
            (11) continue to support North Macedonia's and Albania's 
        applications for European Union membership by supporting 
        improvement of their respective abilities to meet democracy 
        benchmarks required for accession;
            (12) continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's pursuit 
        of European Union candidate status by encouraging meaningful 
        advancement of its reform agenda;
            (13) continue to support the cultural heritage, and 
        recognize the languages of the Western Balkans;
            (14) coordinate closely with the European Union, the United 
        Kingdom, and other allies and partners on sanctions 
        designations and work to align efforts as much as possible to 
        demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding democratic values;
            (15) expand bilateral security cooperation with non-NATO 
        member Balkan countries, particularly efforts focused on 
        regional integration and cooperation, including through the 
        Adriatic Charter, done at Tirana May 2, 2003;
            (16) increase efforts to combat Russian disinformation 
        campaigns and any other malign, destabilizing, or disruptive 
        activities targeting the Western Balkans through engagement 
        with government institutions, political stakeholders, 
        journalists, civil society organizations, and industry leaders;
            (17) articulate clearly and unambiguously the United States 
        commitment to supporting democratic values and respect for 
        international law as the sole path forward for the countries of 
        the Western Balkans; and
            (18) support the mission of the Peace Corps to promote 
        world peace and friendship by helping the people of interested 
        countries to meet their need for trained men and women, which 
        provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the American 
        people with the people of the Western Balkans.

SEC. 4. DEFINED TERM.

    In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives.

SEC. 5. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE WESTERN BALKANS.

    (a) In General.--The United States sanctions imposed through the 
Executive orders specified in subsection (b) relating to obstructing 
the Dayton Accords and corruption, including all sanctions imposed with 
respect to persons under such Executive orders as of the date of the 
enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect, except as provided in 
subsection (c).
    (b) Executive Orders Specified.--The Executive orders specified in 
this subsection are--
            (1) Executive Order 13219 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking property of persons who threaten international 
        stabilization efforts in the Western Balkans), as amended 
        before and in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; 
        and
            (2) Executive Order 14033 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to 
        blocking property and suspending entry into the United States 
        of certain persons contributing to the destabilizing situation 
        in the Western Balkans), as in effect on such date of 
        enactment.
    (c) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the 
application of sanctions described in subsection (a) with respect to a 
person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional 
committees that--
            (1) such person--
                    (A) is not engaging in the activity that was the 
                basis for such sanctions; or
                    (B) has taken significant verifiable steps toward 
                stopping such activity; and
            (2) the President has received reliable assurances that 
        such person will not knowingly engage in activity subject to 
        such sanctions in the future.

SEC. 6. DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY INITIATIVES.

    (a) Anti-Corruption Initiative.--The Secretary of State, through 
ongoing and new programs, shall develop an initiative that--
            (1) seeks to expand technical assistance for the 
        development of national anti-corruption strategies to each 
        country of the Western Balkans, or for the support of national 
        anti-corruption strategies already created, taking into account 
        local conditions and contingent on the agreement of the host 
        country government;
            (2) seeks to share best practices with, and provide 
        training to, law enforcement agencies and judicial 
        institutions, and other relevant administrative bodies, in 
        countries in the region to improve the efficiency, 
        transparency, and accountability of such agencies and 
        institutions;
            (3) provides support to combat political corruption, 
        particularly in campaign finance, and to strengthen regulatory 
        and legislative oversight of critical governance areas, such as 
        freedom of information and public procurement; and
            (4) includes the Western Balkans in the European Democratic 
        Resilience Initiative, and considers the region as a recipient 
        of anti-corruption funding for such initiative.
    (b) Prioritizing Regional Trade and Economic Competitiveness.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) promoting stronger economic, civic, and 
                political relationships among the countries in the 
                Western Balkans will enable such countries to better 
                utilize existing resources and maximize their economic 
                security and resilience by increasing trade in goods 
                and services among other countries in the region; and
                    (B) United States investments in and assistance 
                toward creating a more integrated region ensures 
                political stability and security for the region.
            (2) Comprehensive, 5-year strategy for economic development 
        and democratic resilience in the western balkans.--Not later 
        than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development, in coordination with the 
        Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the 
        Chief Executive Officer of the United States International 
        Development Finance Corporation, shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a regional economic 
        development and democratic resilience strategy for the Western 
        Balkans that--
                    (A) considers the full set of tools and resources 
                available from the agencies overseen by such Federal 
                officials;
                    (B) includes efforts to ensure coordination with 
                multilateral and bilateral partners, such as the 
                European Union, the World Bank, and other relevant 
                assistance frameworks;
                    (C) includes an initial public assessment of--
                            (i) economic opportunities for which United 
                        States businesses, or those of other like-
                        minded partners, would be competitive;
                            (ii) legal, economic, governance, 
                        infrastructural, or other barriers limiting 
                        United States investment in the Western 
                        Balkans;
                            (iii) the effectiveness of existing 
                        regional cooperation initiatives, such as the 
                        Open Balkan initiative and the Western Balkans 
                        Common Regional Market; and
                            (iv) ways to increase United States trade 
                        in the Western Balkans;
                    (D) develops human and institutional capacity and 
                infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, 
                including clean energy, energy efficiency, agriculture, 
                small and medium-sized enterprise development, health, 
                and cybersecurity;
                    (E) assists with the development and implementation 
                of regional and international trade agreements;
                    (F) supports women-owned enterprises and gender 
                equality;
                    (G) promotes government policies that combat 
                corruption and encourage transparency, free and fair 
                competition, sound governance, judicial reform, 
                environmental protection, and business environments 
                conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic growth; 
                and
                    (H) includes a public diplomacy strategy that 
                describes the actions that will be taken by relevant 
                agencies to ensure that populations in the Western 
                Balkans are aware of the development activities of the 
                United States Government.
            (3) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall provide a 
        briefing for the appropriate congressional committees that 
        describes the progress made towards developing the strategy 
        required under paragraph (2).
    (c) Regional Trade and Development Initiative.--
            (1) Authorization.--The Secretary of State and the 
        Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
        Development, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer 
        of the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation and the Secretary of Commerce, is authorized to 
        coordinate a regional trade and development initiative in 
        accordance with this subsection.
            (2) Initiative elements.--The initiative authorized under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) promote private sector growth and 
                competitiveness and increase the capacity of 
                businesses, particularly small and medium-sized 
                enterprises;
                    (B) aim to increase interregional exports to other 
                countries in the Balkans and neighboring countries and 
                European Union member states;
                    (C) aim to increase United States exports to and 
                investments in countries in the Balkans;
                    (D) support startup companies by providing training 
                in business skills and leadership, providing 
                opportunities to connect to sources of capital, and by 
                encouraging startup companies that are led by youth or 
                women;
                    (E) encourage and promote inward and outward 
                investment through engagement with the Western Balkans 
                diaspora community in the United States and abroad;
                    (F) assist governments to develop--
                            (i) regulations to ensure fair and 
                        effective investment; and
                            (ii) screening tools to identify and deter 
                        malign investments and other coercive economic 
                        practices;
                    (G) review existing assistance programming across 
                Federal agencies--
                            (i) to eliminate duplication; and
                            (ii) to identify areas of coordination 
                        within the Balkans region, which shall include 
                        the 6 Western Balkans countries and any country 
                        that shares a border with any of such 
                        countries;
                    (H) identify areas where application of additional 
                resources could expand successful programs to 1 or more 
                countries in the region by building on the existing 
                experience and program architecture;
                    (I) compare existing single-country sector analyses 
                to determine areas of focus that would benefit from a 
                regional approach; and
                    (J) promote intraregional trade through--
                            (i) programming, including grants, 
                        cooperative agreements, and other forms of 
                        assistance;
                            (ii) expanding awareness of the 
                        availability of loans and other financial 
                        instruments from the United States Government, 
                        including from the United States International 
                        Development Finance Corporation and the Export-
                        Import Bank of the United States; and
                            (iii) coordinating access to existing trade 
                        instruments available through allies and 
                        partners in the region, including the European 
                        Union and international financial institutions.
            (3) Support for regional infrastructure projects.--The 
        initiative authorized under paragraph (1), consistent with the 
        BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254) and the 
        European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 (title 
        XX of division P of Public Law 116-94), should facilitate and 
        prioritize support for regional infrastructure projects, 
        including--
                    (A) transportation projects that build roads, 
                bridges, railways and other physical infrastructure to 
                facilitate travel of goods and people throughout the 
                Balkans region, particularly interstate travel;
                    (B) technical support and investments needed to 
                meet United States and European Union standards for air 
                travel, including screening and information sharing;
                    (C) the development of telecommunications networks 
                from trusted providers;
                    (D) infrastructure projects that connect Western 
                Balkan countries to each other and to countries with 
                which they share a border;
                    (E) the effective analysis of tenders and 
                transparent procurement processes;
                    (F) investment transparency programs that will help 
                countries in the Western Balkans analyze gaps and 
                establish institutional and regulatory reforms 
                necessary--
                            (i) to create an enabling environment for 
                        trade and investment; and
                            (ii) to strengthen protections against 
                        suspect investments through public procurement 
                        and privatization and through foreign direct 
                        investments;
                    (G) sharing best practices learned from the United 
                States and other international partners to ensure that 
                institutional and regulatory mechanisms for addressing 
                these issues are fair, nonarbitrary, effective, and 
                free from corruption;
                    (H) projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuels 
                and facilitate the transition to clean sources of 
                energy;
                    (I) technical assistance and generating private 
                investment in projects that promote connectivity and 
                energy-sharing in the Western Balkans region;
                    (J) technical assistance to support regional 
                collaboration on environmental protection that includes 
                governmental, political, civic, and business 
                stakeholders; and
                    (K) technical assistance to develop financing 
                options and help create linkages with potential 
                financing institutions and investors.
            (4) Loans.--
                    (A) In general.--Amounts appropriated under the 
                headings ``Economic Support Fund'' and ``Assistance for 
                Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'' in any Act making 
                appropriations for the Department of State, foreign 
                operations, and related programs may be made available 
                for the costs (as defined in section 502 of the 
                Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a)), of 
                loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying loans 
                and loan guarantees, for programs, projects, or 
                activities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, 
                Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia, which are 
                authorized to be provided.
                    (B) Classification of loans and loan guarantees.--
                Amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for the 
                costs of loans and loan guarantees, including the cost 
                of modifying loans and loan guarantees, shall not be 
                considered assistance for the purposes of any 
                provisions of law limiting assistance to a country.
                    (C) Consultation and notification.--Amounts made 
                available under this subsection shall be subject to--
                            (i) prior consultation with the appropriate 
                        congressional committees; and
                            (ii) the regular notification procedures of 
                        the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
                        and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
                        House of Representatives.
            (5) Requirements.--All programming under the initiative 
        authorized under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) be open to the participation of all 6 Western 
                Balkan countries;
                    (B) be consistent with European Union accession 
                requirements;
                    (C) be focused on retaining talent within the 
                Western Balkans;
                    (D) promote government policies in Western Balkan 
                countries that encourage free and fair competition, 
                sound governance, environmental protection, and 
                business environments that are conducive to sustainable 
                and inclusive economic growth;
                    (E) include gender analysis and efforts to promote 
                gender equity; and
                    (F) include a public diplomacy strategy to inform 
                local and regional audiences in the Balkan region about 
                the initiative, including specific programs and 
                projects.
    (d) United States International Development Finance Corporation.--
            (1) Appointments.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
        States International Development Finance Corporation (referred 
        to in this subsection as the ``DFC''), in collaboration with 
        the Secretary of State, should take steps to ensure that--
                    (A) a regional DFC office with responsibilities for 
                the Western Balkans is established in the region and is 
                operational; and
                    (B) sufficient full-time DFC employees, including 
                at least one permanent hire from the United States, are 
                stationed in the office to serve United States 
                interests in the Western Balkans.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the DFC 
        shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
        committees that includes--
                    (A) a summary of the steps that have been taken to 
                fulfill the requirements under paragraph (1);
                    (B) an account of any additional resources and 
                authorities needed to complete the requirements under 
                paragraph (1); and
                    (C) a description of the initial outreach plan for 
                the new regional DFC office.
            (3) Joint report.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of 
        the DFC and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development shall submit a joint report to the 
        appropriate congressional committees that includes--
                    (A) an assessment of the benefits of providing 
                sovereign loan guarantees to countries in the Western 
                Balkans to support infrastructure and energy 
                diversification projects;
                    (B) an outline of additional resources, such as 
                tools, funding, and personnel, which may be required to 
                offer sovereign loan guarantees; and
                    (C) an assessment of how the DFC can deploy its 
                insurance products in support of bonds or other 
                instruments issued to raise capital through United 
                States financial markets.

SEC. 7. COUNTERING MALIGN INFLUENCE AND PROMOTING CROSS-CULTURAL 
              ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) promoting university partnerships in the Western 
        Balkans, particularly in traditionally under-served 
        communities, advances United States foreign policy goals and 
        requires a whole of government approach, including the 
        utilization of public-private partnerships;
            (2) such university partnerships will provide opportunities 
        for exchanging academic ideas, technical expertise, research, 
        and cultural understanding for the benefit of the United 
        States; and
            (3) the six countries in the Western Balkans meet the 
        requirements under section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign Assistance 
        Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c(c)(4)).
    (b) University Partnerships.--The President, working through the 
Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance, consistent 
with section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2151c), to promote the establishment of university partnerships between 
the United States and the Western Balkans, including--
            (1) supporting research and analysis on foreign policy and 
        disinformation;
            (2) working with partner governments to reform policies, 
        improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and 
        provide quality, inclusive learning materials;
            (3) providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth, 
        women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable, 
        marginalized, or underserved communities, with relevant 
        education, training, and skills for meaningful employment;
            (4) removing barriers to entering formal education for out-
        of-school individuals, assisting such individuals to stay in 
        school, and providing an opportunity for any individuals left 
        behind to catch up on schooling;
            (5) promoting teaching and research exchanges between 
        institutions of higher education in the Western Balkans and in 
        the United States; and
            (6) encouraging alliances and exchanges with like-minded 
        institutions of education within the Western Balkans and the 
        larger Europe continent.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
2023 through 2027 to carry out this section.

SEC. 8. PEACE CORPS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the Peace Corps should be reinstated in the Western 
        Balkans by reopening Peace Corps programs in as many Western 
        Balkans countries as safely possible, including where the Peace 
        Corps had previously operated, or has suspended operations due 
        to the COVID-19 pandemic;
            (2) the Peace Corps should reopen its programs in as many 
        of the Western Balkans countries as possible, including where 
        the Peace Corps operated previously, but later suspended 
        operations; and
            (3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is to promote world 
        peace and friendship, in part by helping the people of 
        interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and 
        women, provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the people 
        of the United States with the people of the Western Balkans.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a 
report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes--
            (1) an analysis of current opportunities for Peace Corps 
        expansion in the Western Balkans region; and
            (2) a plan and timeline for implementing the outcomes 
        described in subsection (a) to facilitate expansion of Peace 
        Corps presence in the Western Balkans region, as appropriate.

SEC. 9. BALKANS YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that regular 
people-to-people exchange programs that bring religious leaders, 
journalists, civil society members, politicians, and other people from 
the Western Balkans to the United States will strengthen existing 
relationships and advance United States interests and shared values in 
the Western Balkans region.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary of State shall further develop 
and implement a program, to be known as the ``Balkans Youth Leadership 
Initiative'' (referred to in this section as ``BOLD'') that promotes 
educational and professional development for young adult leaders and 
professionals in the Western Balkans who have demonstrated a passion to 
contribute to the continued development of the region.
    (c) Conduct of Initiative.--BOLD shall seek--
            (1) to build the capacity of young Balkan leaders in the 
        Western Balkans in the areas of business and information 
        technology, cyber security and digitization, agriculture, civic 
        engagement, and public administration;
            (2) to support young Balkan leaders by offering 
        professional development, training, and networking 
        opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, 
        innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, 
        entrepreneurship, good governance, and public administration;
            (3) to support young political, parliamentary, and civic 
        leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives related to 
        good governance, environmental protection, government ethics, 
        and minority inclusion; and
            (4) to provide increased economic and technical assistance 
        to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and 
        strengthen ties between United States and Balkan businesses.
    (d) Fellowships.--BOLD should award fellowships to young Balkans 
leaders who--
            (1) are between 25 and 35 years of age;
            (2) have demonstrated strong capabilities in 
        entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
            (3) have had a positive impact in their communities, 
        organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-
        regional and multiethnic cooperation; and
            (4) represent a cross-section of gender, regional, and 
        ethnic diversity.
    (e) Public Engagement Center.--BOLD should seek to procure space, 
hire staff, and develop programming for the establishment of a flagship 
public engagement and leadership center in the Western Balkans that 
seeks--
            (1) to counter disinformation and malign influence;
            (2) to promote cross-cultural engagement;
            (3) to provide training for young Balkan leaders described 
        in subsection (d); and
            (4) to harmonize the efforts of existing venues throughout 
        the Western Balkans established by the Office of American 
        Spaces.
    (f) Briefing.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, acting 
        through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and 
        Cultural Affairs, shall provide a briefing to the appropriate 
        congressional committees that describes the status of exchange 
        programs involving the Western Balkans region.
            (2) Elements.--The briefing required under paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                    (A) assess the factors constraining the number and 
                frequency of International Visitor Leadership Program 
                participants from the 6 countries of the Western 
                Balkans;
                    (B) identify the resources that are necessary to 
                address the factors described in subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) describe a strategy for connecting alumni and 
                participants of the Department of State's professional 
                development exchange programs in the Western Balkans 
                with alumni and participants from other countries in 
                Europe, to enhance inter-region and intra-region 
                people-to-people ties.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
2023 through 2027 to carry out this section.
                                 <all>