The WBIF in Serbia

Estimated Project Value: €6.3 billion 

WBIF Grants: €225.6 million, out of which €199.8 million from the EU and €25.8 million from other donors 

Loans Signed: €2.6 billion 

The WBIF has supported 42 projects with an overall estimated value of €6.3 billion across all eligible sectors. The WBIF has provided €225.6 million in grants, whereas the loans signed on WBIF projects have reached €2.6 billion. The EU support channelled through the WBIF accounts for €199.8 million and covers both technical assistance and investment works.

The WBIF has helped prepare and implement essential infrastructure across all eligible sectors. It has successfully piloted research, development and innovation as well as start-up incubator facilities alongside retrofitting of schools. Social housing, judiciary facilities, and municipal services (water, waste water and district heating) have also been planned for and are currently being built or are in operation. Gas and electricity transmission lines as well as key road and railway transport routes have been designed for upgrade and are being implemented, and options for a new port in Belgrade are currently being reviewed. Urban transport investments in Belgrade were executed, with a view to increasing public transport capacities and reducing its carbon footprint, and broadband connectivity in rural areas is being prepared.

The WBIF will support Serbia in implementing 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 Serbia, linking Niš with Pristina in Kosovo*, will be substantially advanced. The Rail Corridor X will be fully modernised.
• Flagship 2 - Connecting North to South: The railway route connecting Belgrade with Pristina will be further upgraded by preparing the technical documentation for the rehabilitation works in Serbia.
• Flagship 5 - Transition from coal: The Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor in Serbia will be completed. The Serbia – North Macedonia Gas Interconnection will be prepared for construction.
• Flagship 7 - Waste and wastewater management: The implementation of an environmental investment programme, comprising waste water treatment projects for large and medium-sized towns, will be undertaken. Integrated regional waste management systems, going hand-in-hand with the closure of non-compliant landfills, will be established.
• 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):

• 90 km of motorways
• Enhanced urban mobility for 1.3 million people in Belgrade
• District heating systems upgraded in 21 cities and towns
• Improved water and waste water systems for over 500,000 people
• Flood forecasting and warning system for 1.8 million people in the Sava River Basin
• 6 new higher education and research facilities
• Judiciary facilities and new prison for 500 detainees

Expected results (2021 - 2030):

• 77 km of motorways
• 580 km of railway lines rehabilitated
• 479 km of electricity transmission lines upgraded
• 28 public buildings and 30 schools for more than 30,000 students renovated
• Improved water and waste water systems for more than 2.5 million people
• Healthcare treatment and research facilities for 1.9 million people 
• Broadband connectivity for 1,500 schools and 225,000 households (650,000 people) in rural areas

Out of the 42 supported projects, 5 have been completed, 15 are being implemented and 22 are at various stages of preparation. In addition, Serbia 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 Serbia, please visit our Projects page.

2016 Connectivity Project

Orient/East-Med Corridor: Serbia – Bulgaria CXc Rail Interconnection, Sicevo - Dimitrovgrad Section, (c) EU. 80 km of railway track upgraded, including preparatory works for electrification and signalling and telecommunication systems.

€84.4 million investment value

€44.7 million EU grant for construction works

€36.7 million EIB loan

For more details, please see the Project Summary (last updated July 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.