On Tuesday 27 January, the European Commission announced a further €171 million in support for infrastructure development and private sector growth in the Western Balkans.
The funds come from various sources of EU financing: from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) for a project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from bilateral donor contributions from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) for a project in Montenegro, and from contributions from the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF) for projects in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Of the total amount, €91.8 million are allocated to infrastructure projects; in all, €263 million should be available for seven projects in priority sectors.
They include: - roll-out of broadband infrastructure in Albania; - improvement of the electricity transmission system in North Macedonia; - construction and energy-efficient renovation of education facilities in North Macedonia and Montenegro; - electrification of the Durrës-Tirana railway line in Albania; - drinking water and wastewater treatment project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This programme also includes €76.3 million for various programmes for the private sector. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)