The European Commission (EC) has released new funding for Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia as part of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, leaving Kosovo once again behind due to the absence of functioning institutions.
According to the EC, this decision recognizes significant reforms undertaken by these partner countries to align more closely with EU standards. The move comes shortly after President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to all six Western Balkan nations.
EU Funds Distribution Under the Growth Plan
Under the new disbursement:
- Albania will receive its first payment of €99.3 million, including €46.2 million paid directly into the state budget, while the rest will support infrastructure projects via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
- Montenegro will receive its second disbursement of €8.1 million, with €3.8 million paid directly to the state budget and the remainder allocated to infrastructure development through the WBIF.
- North Macedonia will receive €16 million, of which €7.4 million goes to the national budget and the rest will fund infrastructure projects through the WBIF.
These funds will support projects in sustainable transport, clean energy, digital transformation, and human capital development, in cooperation with Western Balkan partners and international financial institutions.
Since the launch of the Growth Plan, total disbursements have reached €99.3 million for Albania, €18.3 million for Montenegro, and €25 million for North Macedonia.
Kosovo Still Missing Out
While neighboring countries move ahead, Kosovo continues to miss out on millions of euros from this multi-billion EU package due to institutional deadlock.
The European Union has called on Kosovo to form new institutions following the February elections, which is a precondition for unlocking funds from the Growth Plan.
If Kosovo meets the requirements, it could receive up to €880 million from the €6 billion package, which covers the period 2024–2027 and aims to accelerate economic integration and prepare candidate countries for EU membership.
The European Commission emphasized that the Growth Plan aims to stimulate reforms, boost economic growth, and accelerate EU accession processes across the region.
“This, in turn, speeds up the enlargement process and strengthens the economies of our partners,” said the EC in its statement.
Serbia Already Benefiting
In contrast, Serbia announced earlier this year that it had received its first payment under the plan — a total of €51.66 million — in June 2025.
The €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, approved in late 2023, is designed to support regional economic convergence and gradual integration into the EU single market.
