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Author: WeBalkans

A tide of prosperity

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

A clean-up of sunken ships from the Second World War makes for safer Danube navigation and a boost for Serbia’s economy The Danube is the second-longest European river and flows through ten countries. Its entire course in Serbia (588 km) is navigable, but the Danube waterway is significantly narrower at the Djerdap gorge, due to the many vessels that were sunk there near the end of the Second World War. In that section of the Danube, upstream of Prahovo port, the waterway is only 180 metres wide and the 23 sunken vessels narrow the waterway to just 100 metres. A European Investment Bank-backed project to remove these sunken vessels is thus of great significance, because the obstacles under the water hinder navigation, especially when the water level is low. The first part of the project focuses on finding the right way to demine and remove dangerous substances from the vessels, as well as finding their exact locations.

“The investment will improve river traffic in Serbia, because the country loses up to €5 million per year due to unsafe navigation in this section of the Danube.”

Faster and safer Danube navigation

Some parts of the ships that have been lying on the bottom of the Danube for more than seven decades will be put on display, and the rest will be returned to Germany. This cleaning of the riverbed will make navigation in this part of the river far safer and faster as well as being an environmental improvement. The investment will improve river traffic in Serbia, because the country loses up to €5 million per year due to unsafe navigation in this section of the Danube, according to former Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Zorana Mihajlović. The project to remove the vessels will be financed by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) on extremely favourable terms, in cooperation with the Government of Serbia. “Making navigation of the Danube safe again is the way we like to operate: removing obstacles, and tearing down visible and invisible barriers, in this case below the water surface,” says Sem Fabrizi, the EU Ambassador to Serbia. EU integration is first and foremost a process of peace and unity. Since its foundation, the EU has been focused on overcoming the difficulties of the past and clearing the way for further integration. “Our commitment is to make Serbia and the whole Western Balkans region part of this great adventure,” says Fabrizi.

“Everyone in this country is emotionally attached to this river that reveals important tales of the past.”

 
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank is the lending arm of the European Union. The EIB is the biggest multilateral financial institution in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance, investing in a sustainable future for all.  
The European Investment Bank has been active in Serbia since 1977, having invested more than €6 billion in various projects. The biggest portion of funds—almost 40% (€2.1 billion)—has been invested in transport projects, with €165 million invested in the energy sector.
The river represents an invaluable natural resource for energy, food and drinking water, generating 22% of the national energy supply. At the same time, it stretches along a key navigation route, offering cost-efficient transit opportunities within regional and EU markets. Dubravka Negre, Head of the EIB in the Western Balkans, says that this project is important for the economic development of Serbia but is also of great historical significance. “Everyone in this country is emotionally attached to this river that reveals important tales of the past,” she says. Negre adds that by contributing to the expansion of international economic ties, the river reconnects the people of the Balkans, who share the same past. Today, after many decades, they can meet on the same path towards a new, common market with European values and prospects for a better tomorrow.

EU supports the expansion of Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor in Serbia

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

The construction of the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor is one of the flagship projects under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. This project, supported under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF)  contributes to establishing the regional power network that would connect the electricity transmission systems from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Italy.  
Last week, a loan agreement for the WBIF project Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor: Obrenovac – Bajina Bašta Grid Section in Serbia was signed by the Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović, European Integration Minister Jadranka Joksimović, Director of Serbian Electricity Transmission System Operator (EMS JSC) Jelena Matejić, and the Head of the KfW Bank Office in Serbia, Rüdiger Hartmann. The German Ambassador to Belgrade, Thomas Schieb, also attended the event.

RYCO and EU fund new project in Kosovo

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The awarded project will bring together youth from Kosovo and Serbia and allow them to enhance their skills and employability opportunities through tailor-made training sessions on soft and technical skills. The project will be implemented by NGO Lady from Kosovo in partnership with NGO Children’s Center: The Little Prince” from Serbia.

 

The project is supported within the 4th Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Open Call for Project Proposals supported by the European Union.

 

Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is an independently functioning institutional mechanism founded by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programs. RYCO is financed by the governments of the region and it is supported by the EU and other donors.

Bypassing COVID-19

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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, work on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new motorway keeps rolling thanks to EU grants, financing from the EU bank—and a refusal to give up The people of the Western Balkans know how to keep going, even in troubled times. Still, it’s impressive that, despite the economic and social difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction work on a new transport artery in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues. The work will transform rugged terrain into a modern, sleek highway that will bring benefits to travel times and road safety. Uninterrupted work on this major regional highway, known as Corridor Vc, has been possible thanks to precautionary measures set up by authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the contractors, who introduced rigorous safety protocols and protective equipment. The health of construction workers is monitored daily and the sites are regularly disinfected. The aim of these efforts is to keep operations going, retain jobs and ensure regular incomes for the people engaged on this project.

“We try to reorganise our work as much as we can and keep going as we would in normal circumstances.”

Faster commuting for 1.5 million people

It’s a daunting task to provide adequate medical safety measures and restrictions and, at the same time, to ensure timely procurement and supply of construction materials and spare parts for machinery. COVID-19 has disrupted supply and production chains globally. EU support has been essential for the Western Balkans, enabling easier circulation of goods within the region and into the EU for all kinds of projects, including the Corridor Vc construction. “We try to reorganise our work as much as we can and keep going as we would in normal circumstances,” says Semir Muslić, site supervisor for one of the contractors working on the Ivan Tunnel. The significance of this ambitious investment programme is far-reaching. Corridor Vc is one of the most important transport projects in the region, connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina to Hungary, eastern Croatia and the Adriatic Sea. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has invested €631 million in the construction of 102 km of motorway on this corridor.

“The European Investment Bank remains committed to the long-term, sustainable development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

 
About the EIB
The European Investment Bank is the lending arm of the European Union. The EIB is the biggest multilateral financial institution in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance, investing in a sustainable future for all.
These funds from the EIB have been matched with more than €200 million in European Union grants, provided under the Connectivity Agenda. These have been channelled through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, a mechanism combining grants with implementing partner financing to support EU enlargement and socio-economic development in the region. “The European Investment Bank remains committed to the long-term, sustainable development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are proud of our role as one of the major investors in the country’s road infrastructure,” said Matteo Rivellini, head of lending in Croatia, Slovenia and the Western Balkans for the EU bank. Connecting cities, regions and countries creates a whole new range of opportunities for socio-economic growth, employment and regional trade flows. Modern roads bring increased safety, with lower accident rates and lower vehicle operating costs. 1.5 million people living along Corridor Vc now have access to a new highway that cuts their travel times almost in half. Safer, faster, more efficient and intelligent transport networks are a prerequisite for creating a more coherent and integrated market in the region, and a necessity for better living conditions for the people of the Western Balkans. And even the coronavirus won’t stop that.

Skills gap growing in EU neighbourhood

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A new study, “Changing skills for a changing world “, conducted by the European Training Foundation (ETF), presents recommendations for shaping policy response.

 

The report provides a unique perspective on skills needs in an evolving labour market in transition and developing countries. The first of its kind focusing on countries neighbouring the EU, including the Western Balkans, the study highlights common features in terms of emerging skills needs and the future of work across different countries.

 

The study is a collection of articles from researchers from the ETF and from countries including  Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Lebanon, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. It indicates that manufacturing, construction, and agriculture jobs are those most at risk of automation and digitalisation. Job polarisation is a recurring trend, increasing the gap between high and low skilled workers. Investments in digital infrastructure and the reshaping education systems are needed for countries to compete globally and adapt to emerging needs.

 

The European Training Foundation is an EU agency that helps transition and developing countries harness the potential of their human capital through the reform of education, training and labour market systems, and in the context of the EU’s external relations policy.

Young Albanian entrepreneur wins Mediterranean award

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Erilda Krasi, a tour operator based in the city of Berat, has won the third ARLEM Young Entrepreneurs Award, beating contenders from nearly two dozen other young, small businesses from around the Mediterranean. The award, which has been presented annually since 2019 by the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), celebrates both the work of entrepreneurs younger than 35 and efforts by local authorities to foster business-friendly policies.

 

The evaluation committee, which includes organisations actively engaged in promoting an entrepreneurial environment in the Mediterranean region, praised the work of Erlida Krasi and her company 1001 Albanian Adventures as an example of sustainable and responsible tourism that is helping to regenerate the local economic fabric and urban environment.

 

The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is an assembly of local and regional representatives from the European Union and its Mediterranean partners. It was set up in 2010 by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) together with territorial associations active in this context allowing elected representatives from the three shores of the Mediterranean Sea to: represent their local and regional authorities politically, maintain political dialogue and promote interregional cooperation.

RYCO and EU fund new projects in Albania

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The projects are funded under the 4th Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Open Call for Project Proposals supported by the European Union and will be implemented by two local civil society organisations: People in Focus and the Institute of Romani Culture. The aim of the project implemented by People in Focus is to change tourism behaviour patterns and encourage people to explore new places in the region. The other project, implemented by the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania, will aim to identify and promote good practices in fighting discrimination against vulnerable and marginalised youth groups.

 

The awarded projects will be implemented between February and October 2021.

 

The overall objective of the fourth RYCO Open Call for Project Proposals is to support the civil society in the Western Balkans to foster reconciliation and regional youth cooperation during and post COVID-19 crisis. The call aims to contribute to increasing the capacities of CSOs that can implement regional youth-related projects and provide new opportunities for young people.

 

Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is an independently functioning institutional mechanism, founded by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the youth in the region through youth exchange programs. RYCO is financed by the governments of the region and it is supported by the EU and other donors.

EU supports the energy sector and energy transition in Serbia

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The construction of the gas interconnection between Serbia and Bulgaria, and energy efficiency, as well as the continuation of cooperation in the field of gender equality were some of the topics of today’s meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and the Minister of Mining and Energy Prof. Dr. Zorana Mihajlović with the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi.

 

The Deputy Prime Minister reminded that the Ministry has prepared four laws in mining and energy and that they will soon be in the Parliament.

 

Ambassador Sem Fabrizi expressed satisfaction with the cooperation so far, saying that the European Union is there to support Serbia both through projects in energy and on the further path of European integration.

 

 

New Europe Houses opened in North Macedonia

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Fifteen months after the inauguration of the first Europe House in Skopje and following plenty of positive reactions on its purpose and work, the EU Delegation in North Macedonia opened similar youth hubs in Kriva Palanka and Strumica.

 

At the opening events, EU Ambassador David Geer, in addition to respective mayors, was joined by the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski (in Kriva Palanka) and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (in Strumica). Their message to young people was to use these places to meet, share ideas, and contribute to the country’s European perspective.

 

The events in Kriva Palanka on 18 February and Strumica two days later were marked by displays of young people’s talents, enthusiasm and high expectations.

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European Research Council kicks off Horizon Europe for 2021

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The European Commission today presented the Work Programme 2021 for the European Research Council. This is the first work programme under Horizon Europe, Europe’s new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for 2021-2027. It includes three main calls for proposals for frontier research actions for a total amount of €1.9 billion. The European Research Council (ERC) offers grants to top researchers from anywhere in the world who are ready to come or to stay in Europe to pursue their breakthrough scientific and technological discoveries that can form the basis of new industries, markets, and social innovations of the future.

 

Over the entire long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Research Council is set to receive over €16 billion from Horizon Europe, representing an increase of 22% vis-à-vis Horizon 2020.

 

The first call to be launched within the new series of competitions is the European Research Council’s Starting Grants, which will support top researchers to start their own independent research team or programme. The call will be launched on 25 February, with a budget of €619 million and a deadline of 8 April.

 

Western Balkan Countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are also eligible for this call for proposals.

 

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