The WBIF in Kosovo*

Estimated Project Value: €1.4 billion     

WBIF Grants: €194.3 million, out of which €175.1 million from the EU and €19.2 million from other donors

Loans Signed: €265 million

The WBIF has supported 30 projects with an overall estimated value of €1.4 billion across all eligible sectors. The WBIF has provided €194.3 million in grants, whereas the loans signed on WBIF projects have reached €265 million. The EU support channelled through the WBIF accounts for €175.1 million and covers both technical assistance and investment works.

The WBIF has helped prepare build water and waste water systems, ensuring continuous access to basic municipal services to its citizens. It has assisted in the rehabilitation of the district heating system in Pristina and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in public buildings throughout the country. Better education and healthcare facilities have been planned for and are currently being implemented. Moreover, the WBIF has contributed to the development of essential road and rail transport routes, which will ensure the country's connections within the region and with the EU, and to the preparation of broadband investments. 

The WBIF supports Kosovo in fulfilling key objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans by 2024, including

• Flagship 1 – Connecting East to West:The Peace Highway in Kosovo, linking Pristina with Niš in Serbia, will be completed.
• Flagship 2 – Connecting North to South: The railway route connecting Belgrade with Pristina will be further upgraded through construction works in Kosovo.
• Flagship 4 – Renewable energy: The preparations for the construction of the Ibër-Lepenc Hydro System Phase 2 will be accelerated.
• Flagship 5 – Transition from coal: The Kosovo – North Macedonia Gas Interconnection will be prepared for construction.
• Flagship 7 – Waste and waste water management: The construction of the waste water treatment plant in Pristina will be completed.
• Flagship 8 – Digital infrastructure: The development and roll-out of national broadband infrastructure will continue – with the completion of the most advanced investment projects by 2024.

Achieved results (2009 - 2020):

• District heating system rehabilitated for 13,500 customers in Pristina
• 57 public buildings renovated and over 480,000 MWh/year in energy savings
•  Improved water supply systems for 550,000 people

Expected results (2021 - 2028):

• 53 km of motorways
• 213 km of railway lines rehabilitated
• District heating systems for 1.2 million people
• 74 public buildings renovated over 640,000 MWh/year in energy savings
• Improved water and waste water systems for 900,000 people
• 600,000 people protected from floods 
• Healthcare treatment and research facilities for 2.2 million people
• 136,500 students and teachers in 500 primary and secondary schools connected to high-speed broadband

Out of 30 supported projects, 5 have been completed, 4 are being implemented, 2 are tendering for works to start construction, and 19 are at various stages of preparation. In addition, Kosovo has benefited from regional projects and initiatives funded by the WBIF, such as the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans (REEP and REEP Plus) and the Western Balkan Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (EDIF).

For more details on the current status of the WBIF operations in Kosovo, please visit our Projects page.

2016 Connectivity Project

Orient/East-Med Corridor: Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje – Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Section, (c) Infrakos. 35 km of railway track and 5 railway stations upgraded to modern, TEN-T standards.

€47.7 million investment value

€17.6 million EU grant for construction works

€8.6 million EBRD loan

€20.7 million EIB loan

For more details, please see the Project Summary (last updated November 2018).

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.