February 24 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group said on Monday it provided 693 million euro ($725.4 million) in loans and grants to Western Balkan countries in 2024, supporting energy security, sustainable transport, climate action, and digital and human capital development.
Of the total, 527 million euro was allocated for loans, 164 million euro for EU grants under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and 2 million euro for grants via the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative, the bank said in a statement.
Sustainable transport received the largest share of new financing at 43%, followed by clean energy projects at 31% and the private sector at 20%.
“As the EU Climate Bank, we have intensified efforts to promote a green transition in every country and remain committed to supporting regional decarbonisation to ensure energy security and reduce pollution,” EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot said.
The EIB provided 213 million euro in loans for energy sector projects, including the rehabilitation of large hydropower plants and the installation of advanced electricity meters in Serbia, as well as the construction of a major solar photovoltaic plant near Pristina in Kosovo.
The bank also launched the Greening Financial Systems (GFS) advisory programme in North Macedonia and Albania to help national and local banks improve climate risk management and encourage green investments.
The transport sector received 295 million euro in new financing, including projects to rehabilitate railway sections in Albania and Montenegro. The EIB also signed a 79 million euro EU grant for the construction of a section of Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Additionally, the bank invested 151 million euro to support innovation and clean energy projects among local companies, fostering job creation and economic growth.
Under the EU’s WB EDIF Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience, the European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, provided guarantees to local banks, unlocking over 750 million euro in loans for small businesses.
