The WBIF Project Financiers’ Group (PFG) met online on 16 December. The meeting was co-chaired by Holger Schröder, Head of Unit Western Balkans Regional Programmes, Economic Investment Plan at the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, and Sandra Kassab, Deputy Director of French Development Agency (AFD).

Around 130 representatives from international financial institutions, EU Member States and bilateral donors, and representatives from the six Western Balkans economies attended the meeting online.

During the project session, the projects submitted under Investment rounds 10 and 10E (which include applications for the first projects to be funded by the Reform and Growth Facility) and the 31st round for Technical Assistance were discussed, along with the progress and replenishment of the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme jointly implemented by KfW and EBRD.

The policy-oriented session focused on the adjustments that are being undertaken by the Western Balkans Investment Framework, to align governance and timing with the implementation of the Growth Plan and the Reform and Growth Facility.

DG NEAR also presented the preliminary findings and recommendations of an ongoing evaluation of the WBIF technical assistance component.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) recalled the recommendations of the Informal Expert Group on “Crowding-in Private Investments” and presented ideas on taking them forward, notably via hybrid public private partnerships that could benefit from a concessional WBIF grant element.

Holger Schröder stated: "The WBIF is already the main tool to achieve the objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan. It will also play a significant role in the implementation of the Growth Plan and the Reform and Growth Facility, under which the WBIF will continue to work as an engine for economic growth through public and private investments and with additional budget of €3 billion, half of the RGF’s total amount."

As this year marks the WBIF 15-year anniversary celebrations, a new video showcasing the progress in the construction of the new children’s hospital Tyršova, in Serbia, was screened.

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