11-06-2025
Eco-industrial parks project progressing in Albania and Serbia
The initiative aims to help Western Balkan countries transition to economies that contribute to achieving the ...
The European Green Deal is underpinned by policies designed to develop resource-efficient and competitive economies where growth is decoupled from resource use and climate neutrality is pursued. The Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans set out significant investments in environment and climate to upgrade infrastructure, introduce climate-smart technologies, modernise water and waste management and strengthen resilience to extreme conditions.
The WBIF environmental projects account for 11% of the total WBIF grants and 13% of the project portfolio in the public sector. The focus is on water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, and integrated solid waste management.
Overall, the environment and climate benefitted from 12 EIP flagship investments in 2020-2024, bringing €645.8 million of investments in water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management. The WBIF contributed €274.5 million in grants to these investments, of which €267.9 million was EU IPA funding and €6.6 million was Bilateral Donor funding.
11-06-2025
The initiative aims to help Western Balkan countries transition to economies that contribute to achieving the ...
18-03-2025
The EU grant will enable the construction and extension of water supply and sanitation infrastructure in three...
03-10-2024
Autumn brings the updated WBIF factsheets, including the latest figures and project examples.
The European Green Deal is underpinned by policies designed to develop modern, resource-efficient and competitive economies where growth is decoupled from emissions of greenhouse gases, resource use and waste generation, where climate resilience is pursued. The Green Deal can only be fully effective if the EU’s immediate neighbourhood also takes action at an early stage. This is all the more valid for the Western Balkans given their European perspective.
The Commission is therefore presenting a Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Economic growth and new business opportunities will be linked to more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including promotion of a circular economy, conservation of scarce resources, and better re-use of waste products, linked to all economic sectors, including urban and rural perspectives, and building on ecosystem sustainability as a precondition for success.
In the environment sector, the Economic and Investment Plan foresees the Flagship 7 - Waste and Wastewater Management.
Read MoreLinked to more sustainable consumption and production patterns, including promotion of a circular economy.
EU support to the Western Balkans in implementing the partners’ strategies and plans.
Moving all sectors of the economy towards sustainability, whether in energy, mobility, or agriculture.
Create new business models that allow industry to be more productive decarbonised.
Establish recycling and reuse as the rule while the use of natural resources is significantly reduced.
Restoration of the natural capital and efficient waste collection systems to prevent environmental pollution.
2008-2023
2024-2030
GREEN AGENDAThe Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is the blueprint for a 2050 future of climate neutrality and environmental sustainability. The five-pillar agenda is aligned with the ambitions of the European Green Deal, and it relies on urgent regulatory reforms and significant investments:
The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is shared between the region and the European Union, having been adopted with the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and endorsed by the leaders of the region through the Sofia Declaration in November 2020.
Work is done in close cooperation with the governments in the region and with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
06-05-2025
WBIF Bilateral Donors factsheet (last updated in May 2025).
19-09-2024
WBIF Environment and Climate Factsheet (September 2024)
22-07-2024
Flagship investments endorsed under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, July 2024.
