The EU’s “Global Gateway” Strategy, focusing on investments in developing countries, is actively implemented in the Western Balkans through the “Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans” (EIP). This initiative aims to drive the long-term economic recovery of the region, foster the green and digital transition, and promote regional integration and convergence with the European Union. The “Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans” (EIP) aims to mobilise €30 billion in public and private investment in the Western Balkans region, by 2027, in cooperation with international financial institutions. The plan is structured around six pillars: Sustainable Transport, Clean Energy, Environment and Climate, Digitalisation, Private Sector, and Human Capital.
Since the launch of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, in October 2020, the EU has mobilised €16.6 billion in investments, of which €4.5 billion in grants. These funds, facilitated through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), support 59 flagship projects.
Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF)
The “Western Balkans Investment Framework” (WBIF) is the main financial instrument for the implementation of the “Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans” and serves as a financing platform that coordinates investments for the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans region. It is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions, donors and beneficiaries with the aim of contributing to the European integration of the Western Balkans.
For the above mentioned 59 projects, WBIF has approved investments amounting to €8.9 billion for rail, road and water connections, for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), for energy efficiency, for water and waste management, for health, for infrastructures of educational institutions, for digitalisation and for the development of the private sector. The EU together with member-states participating as donors have collectively contributed with grants amounting to €2.6 billion.
For further details on the “Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans,” additional information can be found in the guide published by the financial platform “Investment Framework for the Western Balkans,” available here.
Additional information on projects financed by the “Investment Framework for the Western Balkans” (such as recipient country, priority sector, project description, completion status, sources of financing) is available here