EU allocates funds for the Balkans, Albania follows North Macedonia in funding

The European Commission has made available €49 million for Albania, €44.2 million for Montenegro and €65.7 million for North Macedonia under its Reform and Growth Programme.

According to the Brussels Times, the latest funding comes after a third payment request and a positive assessment by the Commission of reform steps in business competitiveness and innovation in Albania and Montenegro, as well as in education and digitalization in North Macedonia, the Commission announced on Wednesday, Politiko.al writes. 

With this announcement, the total amount made available under the program is now 212.8 million euros for Albania, 89.3 million euros for Montenegro and 142.1 million euros for North Macedonia.

In Albania, the reforms assessed included measures to improve the business environment, facilitate investment and innovation, and expand access to finance, including for start-ups and firms in the green and digital sectors.

Of the 49 million euros, 22.8 million euros will go to the state budget, while the rest is being made available for investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

In Montenegro, the Commission praised reforms focused on research and innovation, including support for scientists, businesses and research institutions, as well as strengthening the country's innovation ecosystem.

Of the 44.2 million euros, 20.6 million euros will be transferred to the state budget and the rest will be made available for investment projects through the same framework.

How investment financing is supposed to work
In North Macedonia, the reforms assessed included measures to improve financing for primary and secondary education and expand access to digital infrastructure and IT equipment in schools, according to the statement.

Of the 65.7 million euros, 30.6 million euros will be transferred to the state budget, with the remaining funds earmarked for investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

Funds allocated to that framework are intended to support infrastructure projects in areas including sustainable transport, clean energy, digital development and "human capital" - a term used for investments in people's skills and education - once the projects are approved by the framework's board, the organization said.

The Reform and Growth Instrument is part of the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and has an overall budget of €6 billion, according to the document "One journey, one ticket, full rights: Simplifying rail travel in Europe". The partners report every six months on the reforms supported by this instrument, with the latest publication linked to the third biannual reporting period covering reforms implemented by the end of December 2025.