EU Disburses €100 Million to Albania Under the EU Growth Plan

RksNews
RksNews 3 Min Read
3 Min Read

The European Union has disbursed €100 million to Albania as part of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, recognizing the country’s significant progress in implementing key reforms.

According to the European Commission, Albania has fulfilled 21 out of 41 reform measures (51%) planned between December 2024 and June 2025. This achievement makes Albania the top performer in the region for this reporting period.

The payment of €99.3 million, made through the Reform and Growth Instrument, follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Tirana last week. The funds aim to support sustainable structural reforms in vital sectors such as energy, digitalization, competitiveness, sustainable development, and economic integration.

“The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is delivering results in Albania. The country is making steady progress through the Reform and Growth Agenda, and the EU is responding accordingly,” said EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato.
“This new disbursement of €100 million matches the steps Albania has taken to advance reforms that bring tangible benefits to its citizens,” he added.

Out of the total amount, €46.2 million has been provided as a direct loan to Albania’s Treasury, while €54.1 million — comprising €28.5 million in grants and €24.6 million in loans — will be channeled through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to finance major infrastructure development projects.

Eridana Cano, Albania’s National Coordinator for the Reform and Growth Instrument, emphasized that the results so far demonstrate improved institutional transparency, stronger administrative capacities, and closer cooperation between Albanian institutions and the European Commission — all key elements on Albania’s path toward EU membership.

The Reform and Growth Instrument operates on a six-month reporting cycle. Albania is expected to submit its next progress report in early 2026, covering reforms implemented between June and December 2025. The European Commission will then assess the progress to determine the next disbursement planned for spring 2026.

About the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

Launched in 2023, the EU Growth Plan aims to accelerate the economic convergence of the Western Balkans with the EU and deliver integration benefits before full membership. The initiative provides up to €6 billion in financial support for the region and €1 billion for Albania during the 2024–2027 period.

The plan encourages gradual integration into the EU Single Market and funds reforms in areas such as energy transition, digital transformation, rule of law, competitiveness, and human capital development.