This contribution presents a cross-country analysis of risks to the implementation of new policies for vocational education and training, as reported by authorities and stakeholders in 25 countries in East and South-East Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Northern Africa. The paper evaluates reform implementation in countries of these regions from the point of view of risks to reform process, points out commonalities in the ways in which countries address these risks, and discusses how the findings could support a better, more effective transition from planning to policy action.