18-05-2023
Connectivity Summit “Sustainable Links-Stronger Economy”, Budva 15-16 May
Efficient transportation of people and goods ensures access to jobs and services and enables trade and economi...
The Western Balkans are an integral part of Europe. We share a continent, and we work best when we work together.
The European Union and the region work together towards
The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027, put forward by the European Commission in October 2020, is a clear sign of the EU’s commitment to these goals in the region.
The Economic and Investment Plan identifies 10 investment flagships and allocates a substantial financial package of up to €9 billion in EU funds, with a potential to mobilise up to €20 billion of investments through the Western Balkan Guarantee Facility.
The Plan supports investments on sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital future, competitiveness of the business sector, human capital development.
The new EU connectivity strategy, the Global Gateway, launched in September 2021, builds on the objectives and flagship investments of the Economic & Investment Plan for Western Balkans in the areas of transport, digital and energy, which contribute to strengthened connectivity within the region and with the EU.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) includes:
The WBIF is the main vehicle for the implementation of such ambitious recovery plan for the region.
Up to €9bn in EU funding (IPA III 2021-2027)
Up to €20bn of investments leveraged through the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility
10 investment flagships
Green and digital transition
18-05-2023
Efficient transportation of people and goods ensures access to jobs and services and enables trade and economi...
15-05-2023
A panel discussion "Can Socially Responsible Initiatives offer new opportunities to vulnerable communities?" t...
24-04-2023
On 24th March 2023 the kick-off meeting for the Technical Assistance (TA) project for the Montenegro Broadband...
The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans invests €9 billion in six priority areas: Sustainable transport, Clean energy, Environment and climate, Digital future, Private sector and Human capital.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework is an EU initiative, uniting regional beneficiaries, international financial institutions, and bilateral donors to enhance the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Due to its collaborative nature in line with the ‘Team Europe’ approach, the WBIF has been identified as the main vehicle for the implementation of the ambitious Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.
The European Union, through the WBIF, contributes to programmes and facilities that provide financial instruments to:
Guarantee instruments facilities help to reduce:
The Western Balkans Enterprise Development & Innovation Facility (WB EDIF), co-financed by the EU through WBIF, aims at improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans. In addition, WB EDIF also aims to create:
This includes the promotion of policy reforms to create the adequate business climate for SME financing.
The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans builds on solid work already in progress. In 2015, the European Union and its Western Balkan partners set out on an ambitious journey to improve connectivity - within the region and with the EU.
Five years on, we are delivering what we set out to achieve. The projects under the Connectivity Agenda are bridges of cooperation, bringing people and economies closer together. Better roads and railways are bringing faster, safer travel and a boost to trade. More efficient energy systems are delivering greater energy security and less pollution.
3.7bn
Of total investment leveraged
1bn
In EU Grants
124m
In technical assistance for project preparation
45
Projects supported
45000
Jobs Created
04-04-2023
Brochure on WBIF activities in Albania in English (last updated in March 2023).
30-03-2023
Brochure on WBIF activities in Montenegro in English (last updated in March 2023).
