WBIF - Western Balkans Investment Framework

☑️ The 🇪🇺 EU has provided €16 million for the project to remove sunken ships from the Second World War in the Djerdap gorge, on the border with Romania, in the part of the Danube downstream from the port of Prahovo. ☑️ The vessels revealed in Prahovo were among hundreds scuttled along the Danube by Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet in 1944 as they retreated from advancing Soviet forces, destroying the ships themselves. The wrecks can hamper river traffic during low water levels. EU Neighborhood & Enlargement #westernbalkans

☑️ Over 1,800 participants joined the second edition of 🇪🇺 EU Opportunity Week in Serbia, with an additional 2,600 following online! ➡️ From 23 to 27 September 2024, citizens, organisations, and companies explored many EU support opportunities, including financial assistance, knowledge exchange, and more. ➡️ With 60+ sessions covering business innovation, culture, youth, local development, green transition, and cooperation, the event showcased how the EU is making a difference in Serbia. Organised by the EU Delegation to Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, this year’s event built on the success of 2023. 🌍 EU Neighborhood & Enlargement EU u Srbiji #westernbalkans #Open4Business

➡️ As a last project on Day 4 of their media trip to the Western Balkans, 🇪🇺 EU journalists visited Student City I Campus Dormitories. These 19 dormitories in Tirana are being renovated to high energy efficiency standards, which will upgrade the living conditions of thousands of students in the Albanian capital.   The project is financed through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme #REEP, a flagship investment from the Economic and Investment Plan. ☑️ REEP has received €100M additional funding as part of the EU’s ambitious €1BN Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans. ☑️ The renovation is supported by a €5M grant from the European Union through the WBIF and €30M loan and grant package from the KfW. EU Neighborhood & Enlargement European Union Delegation to Albania #energyefficiency #Sustainability #CleanEnergy  #ClimateAction #westernbalkans

➡️ Last week, the 🇪🇺 EU journalists' media trip continued in southeastern Albania with a visit to the Pogradec Water Supply & Wastewater Systems, supported by the WBIF. ➡️ Pogradec, a picturesque city on the shores of Lake Ohrid with a population of over 50,000, once had access to fresh water for only 8 hours a day, while wastewater was discharged directly into the lake. ☑️ Now: 24/7 clean water and no more wastewater dumping! EU Neighborhood & Enlargement KfW European Union Delegation to Albania #WesternBalkans #environmentprotection #regionaldevelopment #WaterManagement

➡️ At EU Opportunity Week in Niš, Petar Nikolic presented the EBRD Green Economy Financing Program for the Western Balkans (GEFF) today. ➡️ GEFF is implemented under the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans (REEP). The project aims to support green economy investments in eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to accelerate the green transition in the economy at the market level in the region ➡️ Until now GEFF has predominantly focused on the residential sector (households and residential communities). ➡️ Through its collaboration with 19,000 beneficiaries in the region, GEFF has successfully facilitated green loans surpassing €110M, mobilizing €19M incentives. The new program opens up opportunities for bigger investments, for construction companies from the Western Balkans. EU Neighborhood & Enlargement #WesternBalkans #energyefficiency #greentransition

☑️ Day 2 of the 🇪🇺 EU Journalists Media Trip in North Macedonia 🇲🇰 highlights a major step in renewable energy! The new 10 MW solar power plant Oslomej 1, built near the former coal mine, will generate nearly 15 GWh of electricity, cutting over 12,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. ☑️ With a total investment of €8.8M, financed by €1.5M WBIF Bilateral donor grant, complementing the €5.9M EBRD loan and €1.4M national contribution this project is an important step towards decarbonization and the first plant of its kind in the Western Balkans. ☑️ Oslomej 1 together with Oslomej 2, which is planned for construction next year, will generate enough energy to power 5,000 households in the nearby town of Kicevo. Local workers are being retrained to work in solar energy. https://lnkd.in/dVRZ5mKD EU Neighborhood & Enlargement #WesternBalkans #solarpower #greenenergy #regionaldevelopment

☑️ On the road to progress! ☑️ As part of the WBIF Media Trip, journalists from across the 🇪🇺 EU visited the ongoing construction of the Kriva Palanka - Rankovce motorway in North Macedonia. ➡️ This 23 km modern road, funded by €93M loan from The World Bank and a €14M Eu grant through the WBIF, is set to be completed by the end of 2024. ➡️ Once finished, it will provide safer, faster access to Skopje for over 25,000 people in the region while reducing traffic in the town centres of Kriva Palanka and Rankovce. ➡️ The project is part of Road Corridor VIII, a crucial component for North Macedonia’s connectivity and trade within the region and with the EU. EU Neighborhood & Enlargement #westernbalkans #Infrastructure   #SustainableTransport #RegionalDevelopment

☑️ EU Opportunity Week in Serbia is happening now! ☑️ The 2024 edition runs from 23 to 27 September in Belgrade and Niš, offering over 100 information sessions and panels where participants can learn how to apply for EU programmes, projects, and funding. ▶️ 26 September – Youth, Education, and Sport (Belgrade) ▶️ 27 September – Local Development, Green Transition, and Territorial Cooperation (Niš) ▶️ For more info visit: www.eumogucnosti.rs EU Neighborhood & Enlargement EBRD European Investment Bank (EIB) KfW #westernbalkans #Open4Business

☑️ The 🇪🇺 EU Opportunity Week hosted by the EU Delegation to Serbia and the Government of Serbia is in full motion! ➡️ This year’s event, themed "You Can Do It!", offers citizens, organisations, and companies the chance to explore financial assistance, gain valuable insights, and connect through knowledge-sharing sessions. ➡️ With over 100 information sessions and panels, you’ll discover how to apply for EU programmes, projects, and funding. ☑️ Plus, sharing success stories from Serbian companies that have benefited from various EU financial instruments! EU Neighborhood & Enlargement EBRD European Investment Bank (EIB) KfW EU u Srbiji #OpportunityWeek2024 #WesternBalkans

➡️ During the EU Opportunity Week in Serbia, DG NEAR presented access to financing support for MSMEs through the WBIF. ➡️ Start-ups to agri-businesses can receive loans and guarantees support to boost their sustainability and social impact.  ☑️ Follow the presentations here www.eumogucnosti.rs EU u Srbiji EU Neighborhood & Enlargement