Commission releases funds for Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia under EU Growth Plan for Western Balkans

The European Commission has released funding for Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia as part of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. This decision acknowledges the significant reforms partners have made to better align with EU standards.

Montenegro is set to receive its second disbursement of €8.1 million, including €3.8 million paid directly to the state budget and the rest earmarked for infrastructure projects via the WBIF. Albania will receive its first disbursement of €99.3 million, out of which €46.2 million will be paid directly to the state budget, and the remaining funds will support infrastructure projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). North Macedonia will receive its second disbursement amounting to €16 million, with €7.4 million paid directly to the state budget and the rest funding infrastructure projects through the WBIF. Once approved by the WBIF Board, these funds will support infrastructure projects in areas such as sustainable transport, clean energy, digital and human capital development, in close cooperation with Western Balkan partners and international financial institutions.

Since the start of the Western Balkans Growth Plan, the total amounts disbursed add up to€18.3 million for Montenegro, €99.3 million for Albania, and €25 million for North Macedonia. The Growth Plan incentivises enlargement partners' preparations for EU membership, by bringing forward benefits ahead of full integration into the EU. This in turn accelerates the speed of the enlargement process and the growth of their economies.

More information can be found on the Reform and Growth Facility Scoreboard and the Growth Plan webpage.