Montenegro receives 44,2 million from the Growth Plan, progress within the reform agenda

The European Commission today made €49 million available to Albania, €44,2 million to Montenegro and €65,7 million to North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Instrument. This follows the third disbursement request and the Commission's positive assessment of the reform steps taken in the areas of business competitiveness and innovation in Albania and Montenegro, as well as education and digitalisation in North Macedonia.

"With today's payment, the total amount made available to these countries under the Instrument has reached 212,8 million euros for Albania, 89,3 million euros for Montenegro and 142,1 million euros for North Macedonia," the EC said in a statement.

As noted, in Albania, the reforms assessed by the Commission include measures to improve the business environment, facilitate investment and innovation, and broaden access to finance, including for start-ups and companies active in the green and digital sectors. Of the €49 million disbursed, €22,8 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are available for investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), in accordance with the applicable approval procedures.

In Montenegro, the Commission assessed reforms in the field of research and innovation, including support for scientists, businesses and research institutions, as well as further strengthening the national innovation ecosystem. Of the 44,2 million euros disbursed, 20,6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are available for investment projects through the WBIF.

In North Macedonia, the assessed reforms include measures to improve financing of primary and secondary education, as well as measures to expand access to digital infrastructure and IT equipment in schools. Of the 65,7 million euros disbursed, 30,6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are available for investment projects through the WBIF.

"The funds allocated to the WBIF, once approved by the WBIF board, will support infrastructure projects in the areas of sustainable transport, clean energy, digital development and human capital development. The projects will be implemented in close cooperation with partners from the Western Balkans and international financial institutions," the EC said.

They recall that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in 2023, aims to bring the benefits of membership to partner countries in the region even before their accession to the EU. The plan seeks to integrate partners into the EU Single Market, enhance regional economic cooperation, deepen EU-related reforms and increase pre-accession financing. This will accelerate the enlargement process and the growth of the partner countries' economies.

The plan is supported by the Reform and Growth Facility, its financial instrument with a total of six billion euros. Every six months, partners report on the progress of reforms implemented with the support of the Facility.

The latest disbursement relates to the third semi-annual reporting period, which covers reforms implemented until the end of December 2025. Total funding disbursed through this instrument since 2024 amounts to EUR 673,6 million.

"The Western Balkans Investment Framework is key to the implementation of the Reform and Growth Instrument. Three billion euros of grants and loans from the Instrument are channeled through this framework to support priority investments in transport, energy, the digital sector and human capital," the EC said.

The WBIF was established 15 years ago as a joint financial platform bringing together the European Commission, financial institutions, EU Member States and Norway. It directly contributes to the EU Global Gateway strategy.