Brussels, 20 May 2026, dtt-net.com – The EU Commission said today it is delivering additional total 158,9 million for the three candidate countries of the Western Balkans, from the new fund – Growth Plan – for the region.
The European Commission (EC) announced that of the amount, €49 million are being delivered to Albania, €44.2 million to Montenegro, and €65.7 million to North Macedonia.
“This follows the third request for payment and the Commission’s positive assessment of reform steps implemented in the areas of business competitiveness and innovation in Albania and Montenegro, and education and digitalisation in North Macedonia,” the EC said in a press release.
It explained that with today’s release, the total amount released under the Growth Facility under their respective envelopes reaches €212.8 million for Albania, €89.3 million for Montenegro, and €142.1 million for North Macedonia.
« In Albania, the reforms assessed by the Commission include measures to improve the business environment, facilitate investment and innovation, and expand 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 made available for investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), subject to the applicable approval procedures,” it explained.
“In Montenegro, the Commission assessed reforms in the area of research and innovation, including support for scientists, businesses and research institutions, as well as further strengthening of the national innovation ecosystem. Of the €44.2 million disbursed, €20.6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are made available for investment projects through the WBIF,” it said on Montenegro.
“In North Macedonia, the reforms assessed include measures to improve the financing of primary and secondary education and measures in order to expand access to digital infrastructure and IT equipment in schools. Of the €65.7 million disbursed, €30.6 million will be transferred to the state budget, while the remaining funds are made available for investment projects through the WBIF,” the EC said on the third country.
In today’s list of new amounts deliverance, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo, and Serbia are missing.
From the 6 billion Euros of the fund for 2024-2027 period, the EU has earmarked 922 million euros for Albania; 1.085 billion for Bosna and Hercegovina (BiH), 882 million for Kosovo; 383,5 million for Montenegro; 750.4 million for North Macedonia and 1 586,4 billion for Serbia.
The EC is at the moment not sending more money to Serbia because of controversial laws in judiciary adopted by the parliament – controlled and sponsored by President Aleksandar Vucic’s SNS party – in late January.
The Growth Plan aims to accelerate the socio-economic convergence of the Western Balkans region with the EU and pave the way to EU membership, according to the EC.
