The European Commission has announced a €171 million support package to enhance infrastructure and boost private sector growth in the Western Balkans. This funding includes contributions from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) for a project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as support from the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF) and the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) bilateral donors for projects in Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
“Investing in our Western Balkan partners is key to bringing them closer to the EU. In more than two years since the adoption of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, we have been working, including through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, to turn commitments into action,” said Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement.
“From advancing infrastructure to enhancing business development, these investments are creating real opportunities for citizens and making the EU a lived reality across the region,” highlighted Commissioner Kos.
Of the total, €91.8 million will go toward infrastructure projects in these partner countries, mobilising approximately €263 million in total investments across seven key sectors, including digital technology and clean energy.
Key projects include broadband rollout in Albania, upgrades to the electricity transmission system in North Macedonia, and improvements to educational facilities in North Macedonia and Montenegro. These initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with international financial institutions.
Additionally, €2.9 million is allocated for technical assistance projects in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina to support future investments in energy, water, and innovation sectors.
The package includes €76.3 million to support the private sector through various programmes. This encompasses the Western Balkans Forward Programme, which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) export advanced products to the Western Balkans and the EU, and the SME Go Green Programme, which promotes green practices and job growth. The W-BOND pilot programme diversifies funding options for SMEs beyond traditional bank loans and enhances public-private partnerships in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After approval from the WBIF Operational Board, projects can move to implementation, which involves finalising agreements, launching technical assistance studies, and completing necessary procedures. Once these are done, the investments can be implemented.
The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans seeks to integrate regional partners into the EU Single Market and strengthen economic cooperation. The Reform and Growth Facility, with €6 billion for 2024-2027, supports this by funding reforms and investments. WBIF channels €3 billion for key projects and aids the Instrument for Pre-Accession, helping partners toward EU membership. Established 15 years ago, the WBIF unites various organisations to support the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
