The European Commission launched additional financial package for the Western Balkans worth 2.1 billion euros. It is aimed to support investments in transport, energy, environment, human capital and the private sector. EU Commissioner for neighborhood and enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said that these projects will better connect the region from within and with the EU, help decarbonize their economies, and support the competitiveness of the private sector in the region.
This is the fifth EU investment package under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. It includes 528 million euro in EU grants from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance and was endorsed by the Operational Board of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans aims to encourage the long-term recovery, accelerate a green and digital transition, as well as foster regional cooperation and convergence with the EU.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the funds will be used for the project for the rehabilitation of the pump-storage hydropower plant Capljina. North Macedonia will receive funds for investments in the power grid and energy efficiency. Serbia has received funds for the modernization of the hydropower plant Bistrica and for energy efficiency measures.