North Macedonia has become the first country to receive pre-financing under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, following the successful preparation of its Reform Agenda, the EU Delegation to North Macedonia said on Monday.
The pre-financing, amounting to EUR 52.2 million, aims to support the implementation of the Reform Agenda and the commitments North Macedonia undertook as part of the plan.
Of the total sum, EUR 24.5 million will be allocated to the state budget to support reform implementation, while EUR 28 million will be injected directly into the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to fund infrastructure projects in the country.
North Macedonia is set to receive EUR 750.4 million from the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans over the period 2024-2027, focusing on public administration, rule of law, anti-corruption, decarbonisation, digitalisation, connectivity, and human capital development.
The EU integration process requires a series of reforms aimed at accelerating socio-economic convergence with the European Union and its single market. The EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans seeks to hasten the region’s integration, including progressive access to the single market.
The Plan is backed by a new performance-based financing instrument, the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, providing up to EUR 6 billion between 2024 and 2027 — EUR 2 billion in grants and EUR 4 billion in favourable loans. At least half of the funds will support infrastructure investments and connectivity, including transport, energy, and green and digital transitions, while the remaining loans will provide direct budget support for reform implementation.
To access the Facility, each country was required to prepare a Reform Agenda, subject to consultation, assessment, and approval by the European Commission, following a positive assessment by the EU Council. The release of funds will be contingent upon the successful implementation of these Reform Agendas, which are designed to accelerate alignment with EU values, policies, and practices, driving societal transformation in the region.
