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New motorway boosts North Macedonia’s connectivity

The much-anticipated Kriva Palanka - Dlabochica - Stracin expressway has officially opened in North Macedonia on 4 January 2025, marking a major milestone in regional infrastructure development.

WBIF Key Achievements report 2023 released

On the 15th anniversary of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the 2023 Key Achievements report showcases the contribution of the WBIF to the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the region.

EU, EBRD, and KfW discuss scaling up investments in energy efficiency in the Western Balkans

With over €1 billion invested in energy efficiency and growing demand for more investments, the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP), established by the Western Balkans Investment Framework, remains a key instrument for the region's green transition.

Energy-efficient dormitories inaugurated in Albania

The Student City in Tirana now has five renovated dormitories that meet European Union Standards. This first cluster of buildings from the ‘Energy Efficient Rehabilitation of Student Dormitories in Albania’ project was inaugurated in a joint ceremony on 30 October 2024.

Technical Assistance for Nikšić Wastewater Management System completed

The Nikšić Wastewater Management System: Sewerage Network Phase II technical assistance project has been successfully completed.

Eco-industrial parks in focus at RES Serbia 2024

The WBIF pilot project on Eco-Industrial Parks was pinpointed as a way of speeding up the decarbonisation process at the RES Serbia 2024 conference on a panel about infrastructure development for the electric car market.

European Commission President von der Leyen visits the Western Balkans

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, undertook a four-day trip to the Western Balkans 23-26 October 2024.

Reconstruction begins at the "Steve Naumov" student dormitory

Reconstruction has officially commenced at the "Steve Naumov" student dormitory in North Macedonia, marking a significant step in the country’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure.

North Macedonia receives European funds to bolster electrical grid

The Macedonian Transmission System Operator AD (MEPSO), the state-owned electricity transmission system operator in North Macedonia has received funding for a major project to improve the electricity transmission network in the southeast region of the country.

European journalists visit EU flagship investments in North Macedonia and Albania

The European Union’s investments in the Western Balkans continue to bear fruit, as demonstrated during a media trip organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (DG NEAR) from 23 to 27 September 2024.

The Port of Brčko starts the works on the final component of the EU-funded modernisation project

On 30 September the works started on Lot 3 of the EU-funded project Reconstruction and Modernisation of the River Port of Brčko Phase 1 and are planned to be completed in March 2025.

Updated WBIF factsheets now available

The biannual update of the WBIF factsheets by sector, corridor and bilateral donor-funded projects is complete.

Successful Opportunity Week in Serbia

More than 1,800 participants attended the second edition of the EU Opportunity Week in Serbia, from 23 to 27 September 2024.

Hercegovina Bridge on Corridor Vc now open for traffic

On 4 September, the Hercegovina Bridge and the entire Počitelj-Zvirovići sub-section on Corridor Vc was opened in the presence of senior officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

European Union and the Western Balkans

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 long-term economic recovery
green & digital transition
faster regional integration and
convergence with the EU

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.

Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027

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 Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility
the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility

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

Latest News

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03-12-2024

WBIF Key Achievements report 2023 released

On the 15^th anniversary of the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the 2023 Key achievements report showcase...

Learn more

08-11-2024

Technical Assistance for Nikšić Wastewater Management System completed

Focused on the sewerage network in Montenegro’s second city, the project ensured the preparation of feasibilit...

Learn more

05-11-2024

Eco-industrial parks in focus at RES Serbia 2024

The conference brings together industry leaders, experts and interested parties who are committed to improving...

Learn more

Investment Priorities

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.

Sustainable Transport

Clean Energy

Environment & Climate

Digital Future

Private Sector

Human Capital

Western Balkans Investment Framework 15th Anniversary

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.

Financing Facilities

The European Union, through the WBIF, contributes to programmes and facilities that provide financial instruments to:

improve capacity & access to affordable finance for the SMEs
support the regional measures to cut CO2 emissions
help create a sustainable market for energy efficiency

Guarantee instruments facilities help to reduce:

the cost of financing for public & private investments
the risk for investors.

European Fund For Southeast Europe

Regional Energy Efficiency Programme

The Regional Energy Efficiency Programme

Green Economy Financing Facility

EFSD+, Western Balkans Guarantee Facility

Western Balkans Enterprise Development & Innovation Facility

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:

a more favourable financing environment for SMEs, and
a sustainable equity market on the long-term (including)

This includes the promotion of policy reforms to create the adequate business climate for SME financing.

Connectivity Agenda 2015-2020

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

Projects supported

45000

Jobs Created