Digital Future

Digital Future

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Digital Future

Number of projects

0

Investment value

0

Grant value

0

Loan value

0


Digital infrastructure was incorporated as a standalone sector of the WBIF in December 2017, as a response to the adoption of the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP-REA). In December 2019, the WBIF ex- tended its area of assistance to the interconnection of administration, research and education networks and high-performance computing. The new sector was developed in line with the European Commission’s policies and strategies, the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, the South-East Europe 2020 strategy, as well as the infrastructure needs, as identified in the Single Project Pipeline.

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Investment Priorities

Latest News

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Kick-off for Montenegro Broadband Infrastructure Development Technical Assistance Project
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24-04-2023

Kick-off for Montenegro Broadband Infrastructure Development Technical Assistance Project

On 24th March 2023 the kick-off meeting for the Technical Assistance (TA) project for the Montenegro Broadband...

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Western Balkans prime ministers attend EBRD investment summit
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02-03-2022

Western Balkans prime ministers attend EBRD investment summit

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) welcomed on Monday 28 February, the heads of gover...

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European Commission launches €3.2 billion investment package in the Western Balkans
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25-02-2022

European Commission launches €3.2 billion investment package in the Western Balkans

Today, the European Commission has unveiled a substantial €3.2 billion investment package to support 21 transp...

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Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

Digitalisation represents an opportunity for the economies and societies in the region, with digital solutions contributing to a sustainable, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy, and better governance and public services to the citizens. Digital services represent an increasing share of exports from the Western Balkans. With the support of the EU and the Regional Cooperation Council, since 2018 the Western Balkans are implementing a Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. 

The Western Balkans should take stock of implementation to date, identify where work needs to be accelerated as well as broaden the scope and ambition of the region’s digital transformation. Support provided in particular for digital skills development, e-government, e-procurement and e-health services would make public authorities more transparent and accountable, reduce costs and improve service delivery for citizens and businesses, while also addressing the social dimension. 

In the digital field, the Plan foresees the investment Flagship 8 - Digital Infrastructure.

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Roaming Free Zone

Mobile phone service providers abolished roaming charges for their clients across the region in July 2021.

Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans

The EU provides support for digital skills development, e-government, e-procurement and e-health services.

Digital business opportunities

Support to digital start-ups and scale ups and to digital skills, through actions such as the Digital Education Action Plan.

Participation in EU-wide initiatives

Link the region to the cutting-edge world of digital research and innovation (SELFIE19, HEInnovate20, Digital Education Hackathon, EU Code Week, GEANT network).

EU Digital Single Market

Further improve access to digital goods and services, create a level playing field and maximise the growth potential.

Cybersecurity capacities

Support to capacity building in the region, based on a needs assessment to be conducted in 2021.

Expected results

2023 - 2030

  • 70% of households with broadband connectivity in rural areas in Albania
  • 627 schools equipped with smart labs for more than 198,000 students/year in Albania
  • 500 schools connected to high-speed broadband benefitting over 136,500 students/year in Kosovo*
  • 71,900 people with access to next generation broadband networks in rural areas in Montenegro
  • Broadband connectivity for 152,000 households and 480 schools in rural areas in Serbia
  • Infrastructure sharing via the Balkan Digital Highway initiative

DIGITAL AGENDA FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS

At the Digital Assembly in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018, the European Commission has launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. This aims to support the transition of the region into a digital economy and bring the benefits of the digital transformation, such as faster economic growth, more jobs, and better services. The agenda identifies 5 main priorities: Lowering the cost of roaming; Deployment of broadband; Strengthening the digital economy and society; Capacity building in digital trust and security, digitalisation of industries and Adoption, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis. Work is done in close cooperation with the governments in the region and with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).

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Publications

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Economic and Investment Plan: Endorsed Flagship Investments 2020-2022
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01-03-2023

Economic and Investment Plan: Endorsed Flagship Investments 2020-2022

Booklet on flagship investments endorsed under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans in 202...

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WBIF Digital Future
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28-02-2023

WBIF Digital Future

WBIF Digital Future factsheet (last updated February 2023)

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From Plan to Action - WBIF Key Achievements 2021
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11-11-2022

From Plan to Action - WBIF Key Achievements 2021

WBIF key achievements in 2021 on advancing the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the West...

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Partner Financial Organisations

Western Balkans Partners