14-12-2022
€1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans
On 6 December 2022, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Energy Support Packag...
The WBIF Bilateral Donors reiterate their strong support for a sustainable and green development of the Western Balkans. Within the WBIF, concerted efforts and coordination with partners are as important as ever. The Bilateral Donors are actively involved in the WBIF governance and operations to support small-scale technical assistance and investment projects in all sectors. The Bilateral Donors welcome the EU’s clear commitment to support green and sustainable energy investments in accordance with the Green Agenda and the Energy Support Package 2022 for the Western Balkans, a highly timely and important step to assist the region in the joint endeavour of energy security and carbon neutrality across Europe. Also, the social dimension – among others – plays a key role in human capital formation in the region. Investments channelled through the WBIF in key areas, such as health and education, are imperative to continue improving the quality of life in the Western Balkans in a collaborative way, especially in challenging times.
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Bilateral Donor Pledges
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| Country |
Pledges in 2021 (€m) |
Pledges in 2022 (€m) |
Total 2 (€m)
|
 |
2.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 |
 |
- | 2.0 | 2.0 |
 |
- | 1.1 | 1.1 |
Germany |
2.0 | 1.2 | 3.2 |
Italy |
4.0 | - | 4.0 |
Luxembourg |
0.5 | - | 0.5 |
Norway |
3.0 | 2.8 | 5.8 |
|
Total
|
11.5 | 8.1 | 19.6 |
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In 2022, the Bilateral Donors were pleased to announce pledges of over €8.1 million in direct contributions to the Joint Fund and welcome Croatia as the latest member of the Bilateral Donor Community, alongside Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Sweden.
Also in 2022, the Bilateral Donors approved the co-financing of another high impact project in Montenegro: “Improvement of Education Infrastructure”. This project will benefit from a Bilateral Donors contribution of €6.7 million and another EU grant of €4.7 million. In addition, the Bilateral Donors agreed to finance the extension of the Gradačac Water Supply Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina and allocated another €500,000.
14-12-2022
On 6 December 2022, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Energy Support Packag...
23-06-2022
On 21 and 22 June, the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) held its 2nd Strategic Board and 3rd Operat...
06-04-2022
The first large-scale solar plant in North Macedonia ‒ financed with the support of the European Union, WBIF b...
Total:
€122.7 m
€117.5 m
Direct contributions to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund
€5.2 m
Transfer from the EBRD Western Balkans Fund
Austria
Czech Republic
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Slovenia
Sweden
United Kingdom
EBRD Fund
Altogether, the Bilateral Donors have allocated €60 million through twenty investment grants that co-finance 18 projects with an estimated investment value of €450 million in the environment & climate, clean energy and social sectors. These grants help finance infrastructure projects with a high impact on people’s lives, from healthcare and education facilities to public infrastructure for clean water, sanitation and renewable energy generation. Through these investments, the funding made available by the WBIF actively promotes social cohesion and protects the environment across the region.
The new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 of the European Union aims at ensuring improved coherence and overall donor coordination between the EU and the Western Balkans.
In line with the strategic orientation of the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the IPA III Regulation envisages a new governance for WBIF, whereby the EU Member States become full members of the WBIF’s novel governing bodies, the Strategic and Operational Boards (including Norway).
Under the updated WBIF governance the status of 'Bilateral Donor' thus remains a privileged position in WBIF and is granted by the Operational Board to the EU Member States and Norway which directly contribute to the Joint Fund. To this end, the Bilateral Donor community welcomed Croatia as its latest member following Croatia’s pledge at the 3rd WBIF Operational Board meeting on 5 December 2022. The Bilateral Donors are also members of the Project Financiers’ Group (PFG) and take part in the decision-making process on the allocation of their pledged funds in the Project Financiers’ Group and the Assembly of Contributors.
12.9 MW renewable energy generation capacity installed
18 GWh/y green electricity produced (equivalent to the energy demand of 2,788 households)
8,700 tonnes of CO2 displaced annually
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
Safe and affordable drinking water for 53,250 people
Waste water treatment and affordable sanitation services for 10,860 people
Reduced impact on the environment and public health
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
Waste water treatment and affordable sanitation services for 199,300 people
Reduced impact on the environment and public health
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
*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.
Better schools and innovative learning environments for 10,100 students annually
Safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation services for 290,000 people
Reduced impact on the environment and public health
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
10 MW renewable energy generation capacity installed
15 GWh/y green electricity produced (equivalent to the energy demand of 2,800 households)
Better schools and innovative learning environments for 63,800 children annually
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
Safe and affordable drinking water for over 1,400,000 people
Waste water treatment and affordable sanitation services for 84,000 people
Reduced impact on the environment and public health
Compliance with EU standards and international best practices
01-03-2023
Booklet on flagship investments endorsed under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans in 202...
31-01-2023
WBIF Bilateral Donors factsheet (last updated in January 2023).
11-11-2022
WBIF key achievements in 2021 on advancing the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the West...
