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Commission releases €158.9 million to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia under EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

The European Commission has today made available €49 million to Albania, €44.2 million to Montenegro, and €65.7 million to North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility. 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.

With today’s release, the total amount released under the Facility under their respective envelopes reaches €212.8 million for Albania, €89.3 million for Montenegro, and €142.1 million for North Macedonia.

Progress under the Reform Agendas

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.

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.

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 funds that are earmarked for the WBIF will, once approved by the WBIF board, support infrastructure projects in sustainable transport, clean energy, digital and human capital development. Projects will be implemented in close cooperation with Western Balkan partners and international financial institutions.

Background

The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, adopted in 2023, aims to bring partner countries from the region benefits of membership ahead of their accession to the EU. It seeks to integrate partners into the EU’s Single Market, advance regional economic cooperation, deepen EU-related reforms and increase pre-accession funding. This in turn accelerates the enlargement process and the growth of partners’ economies.

The Plan is supported by the Reform and Growth Facility, its financial instrument with an envelope of €6 billion. Every six months, partners report on their progress on reforms implemented with the support of the Facility. The latest financial release relates to the third half-yearly reporting period, covering reforms implemented until the end of December 2025. The overall financing released under this instrument since 2024 amounts to €673.6 million.

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is instrumental in implementing the Reform and Growth Facility. It is channelling €3 billion in grants and loans under the Facility to support priority investments in transport, energy, digital and human capital. Established 15 years ago, the WBIF is a joint financial platform, bringing together the European Commission, financial organisations, EU Member States and Norway. It contributes directly to the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.

For More Information

Growth Plan for the Western Balkans webpage

Reform and Growth Facility Scoreboard

Western Balkans Investment Framework

Projects approved under the WBIF in January 2026

WeBalkans launches the ‘EU With YOU’ campaign, bringing together communicators and entrepreneurs from the region

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

For two days at the end of April 2026, the ‘Content Creation Hub’ event in Belgrade organised by WeBalkans became the meeting point for journalists, communicators, entrepreneurs, and EU representatives from across the Western Balkans. The Economic Development Creative Hub, organised under the EU With YOU campaign, brought together voices from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia around a single question: how do we make the EU’s support to the region visible, concrete, and connected to the people who live it?

“EU support is not abstract — it shows up in the streets of our cities, in the businesses our neighbours run, in the opportunities our young people pursue,” said Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, opening the plenary. The framing set the tone for everything that followed: moving from policy language to lived experience.

Marie Brancaleone from the Directorate General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood reminded participants that the EU accession process is, at its core, a process of transformation that affects daily life, from the air people breathe to the markets their products reach. Raluca Costache, Team Leader of the WeBalkans programme, and Selena Tasić, Public Diplomacy Manager, then introduced the EU With YOU campaign as the connective tissue between regional reforms and the citizens whose lives those reforms are meant to improve.

From research labs to the global markets

The morning’s lightning talk came from Oskar Marko, Head of the Center for Information Technologies at Serbia’s Biosense Institute. His message was simple: EU opportunities work when institutions know how to use them. Biosense has built a track record of turning Horizon Europe research grants into agricultural innovation that reaches farmers across the region, proof that the path from EU funding to real-world impact is shorter than it often appears.

Three conversations, one message

The thematic talks that followed mapped the economic landscape of the Western Balkans from three different vantage points.

In the WBIF-powered session moderated by David Piegazki of the WB6 Chamber Investment Forum, six speakers traced how the Western Balkans Investment Framework has deployed nearly €9 billion and supported over 600,000 businesses across the region. Benedykt Klimowski from the European Commission put it plainly: “When your local bank offers you a better deal, there is EU support behind it.”

Edina Hadžić, founder of the Bosnian circular fashion brand ‘Sugar on Top’, reframed the region’s small scale as an advantage: “You have to be honest about where you stand. It comes down to true transparency.”

Tina Mihajlović, who co-founded the Serbian solar AI startup Solarise Technologies, spoke about the gap between technical talent and market readiness, and the role mentorship plays in bridging it.

The EBRD-powered talk, moderated by Aleksandra Vukosavljević, Director for Financial Institutions for Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, focused on green and competitive SMEs. The conversation made clear that sustainability is no longer optional for businesses in the region, but it is rather driven by buyer requirements, rising energy costs, and access to finance. ESG standards are now part of how banks and investors decide where capital flows. With SMEs representing 98 to 99% of companies in the Western Balkans, the question of how to help smaller firms align with EU standards while competing in larger markets sits at the heart of the region’s economic future. Speakers including Kujtim Gjevori of PowerPack in Kosovo and Tomi Pikuli of AgriNet in Albania shared how regional integration is shaping their growth.

The third thematic talk, powered by EU Delegations across the Western Balkans and moderated by Marie Brancaleone, looked at the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as the framework guiding the region’s economic transformation. Delegation representatives joined from each of the six economies, online and in person, to discuss what the next phase of integration looks like on the ground.

The messages we send out

The first day closed with a wrap-up that made the event’s purpose explicit. Journalists Greta Topjana from Albania and Višnja Višnjić Milić from RTS Serbia joined the WeBalkans team for a conversation about how EU stories travel, and where they get lost. A recurring theme: programmes and financial instruments for young people and entrepreneurs exist, but remain underused because communication is fragmented and outreach is not as present as should be. Closing that gap is exactly what the Creative Hub was built to do.

Day two: from talk to product

The second morning shifted from discussion to production. In a Content Creation and Production Lab led by Samra Lučkin, Arian Rexhepi, Vullnet Gacaferri, and Stanislava Marojević, participants split into working groups to turn the previous day’s conversations into shareable and engaging content, social media posts, photographs, short statements, interviews with multipliers, and plans for longer-form videos and feature articles to follow in the weeks ahead. In a parallel room, the WeBalkans Multipliers Network gave participants five minutes each to introduce their work and find collaborators across borders.

The output of those few hours will travel further than the room itself: across the WeBalkans website, partner channels, and the social platforms where the next generation of Western Balkans citizens encounters the EU a partner in the everyday.

EU With YOU

The Belgrade Creative Hub is the first event in a series of events that WeBalkans, under the EU with YOU campaign, is planning around the region. EU With YOU, is a regional public diplomacy campaign that connects EU support across the Western Balkans to the people, businesses, and communities living the transformation. More stories and activities from the campaign will be published on WeBalkans digital communication channels in the coming weeks.

My first Adria Future Summit: Finding perspective in the conversation

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Kristina Perović, Young European Ambassador from Montenegro

Attending the Adria Future Summit 2026 for the first time, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found instead was a dynamic and welcoming environment, bringing together ambitious people, from experienced professionals to young individuals who are still shaping their paths and exploring where they fit in a rapidly changing world.

Being there with other Young European Ambassadors from across the region, including Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo, made the experience even more meaningful. It created a strong sense of connection and shared purpose, and it felt less like simply attending an event and more like being part of an ongoing regional conversation.

One of the sessions that stood out to me was the Youth Policy Lab on disinformation and media literacy. In today’s digital environment, where information is constantly available but not always reliable, the discussion emphasized how important it is for young people to think critically, question sources, and understand the impact of the content they consume and share.

Another important part of the experience was the roundtable “Democratising Data Access and Accountability for a Just Transition”, where we had the opportunity to actively participate and exchange ideas with speakers such as Catherine Atkin and Goran Svilanović. The conversation explored how different regions approach innovation and development, and how the Western Balkans has the potential to design solutions that reflect its own context rather than simply replicating global models. A brief reference to the idea of “not yet” ,in the sense that timing in life is not always linear, added a simple but thought-provoking perspective on how progress and achievement can unfold at different stages.

On the final day, the panel “The Borderless Workforce: Responsibility, Compliance and the Future of Labour”, featuring Young European Ambassador from Serbia, Andrea Darabašić, addressed the challenges young people face when navigating labour rights, opportunities, and expectations in today’s labour market. It also highlighted the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and understanding the systems we are entering.

Overall, the Adria Future Summit was not just about innovation, investment, or policy discussions. It was about perspective, exchange, and the realization that young people are not just participants in these conversations, but active contributors to them. It was a valuable reminder that staying engaged, asking questions, and being part of such spaces truly matters.

TAIEX 30th anniversary: Reflections from the Institution Building Days

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Teodora Danilović, Young European Ambassador from Serbia

Attending the DG ENEST Institution Building Days in Brussels, marking 30 years of TAIEX and Twinning, offered a rare opportunity to step into a space where technical cooperation meets political vision. TAIEX and Twinning serve as bridges between the European Union, Candidate Countries, and the MENA region, presenting tangible cooperation in enhancing public administration, the green transition, fight against corruption, among many areas in which the EU is leading by example. TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) is an EU instrument that provides short-term, targeted expertise to help public administrations align with EU legislation and standards. Twinning, by contrast, is a long-term partnership between institutions in EU Member States and partner countries, focused on building sustainable administrative capacity through ongoing collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Young European Ambassadors from across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood joined the celebration, bringing together different regional perspectives that, despite their diversity, often converged on similar challenges and expectations. Early in the programme, the numbers set the tone: more than 1,100 TAIEX events and over 3,600 experts mobilised in just one year. Each of these events represents a concrete intervention: supporting legislative alignment, strengthening administrative capacity, or addressing specific institutional gaps. Across sessions, whether the focus was enlargement, cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood, or partnerships with Africa, a consistent message emerged: institution-building is not an occasional effort, but a continuous process.

In regards to the Western Balkans, the data presented during the sessions reinforced how embedded the region already is within European cooperation structures. Countries such as Italy and Croatia consistently rank among the most active providers of expertise to the Western Balkans. On the one hand, this reflects how much significance cultural and geographical proximities hold, yet on the other, this shows how enlargement is never a one-ended process. Croatia, the newest Member State of the Union, following its transformation through the process of EU integration, is now playing a leading role in transferring its knowledge and expertise to others. This proves that in the future our region can also become a knowledge hub for others wishing to learn and expand their competencies in line with EU standards. This was further proved through the recognition of Albania and Montenegro as TAIEX Champions, acknowledging concrete reform progress rather than political commitments. Albania was recognised for advancing key judicial reforms, while Montenegro was highlighted for its strategic and consistent use of TAIEX in driving accession-related changes.

Amid these structural and policy discussions, one moment during the closing session shifted the tone of the event. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos explicitly acknowledged the presence of Young European Ambassadors and invited us on stage. The gesture was brief, but its significance was clear. It interrupted the otherwise formal structure of the event and introduced a different dimension: recognition of the role that young people from regions like the Western Balkans and the Eastern Neighbourhood play in these processes. It also served as a reminder that institution-building is not only about systems and reforms, but about the people who engage with them, interpret them, and ultimately carry them forward.

 

Follow Me Club: YEAs’ visit at Heartefact

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Anđa Stanojković, Young European Ambassador from Serbia

“Theatre has the power to make someone vulnerable…” – we heard these words from director Tara Manić during our visit to the Heartefact Fund House as Young European Ambassadors. As a non-governmental organization, Heartefact operates through project-based funding, with the European Union standing as one of its most significant partners.

Although Serbia has a long and beautifully developed theatrical tradition, Heartefact is a space that places special emphasis on what we might call, in everyday terms, difficult social themes. The play we had the chance to see “How I Learned to Drive”, is a powerful example of the socially delicate issues explored on this stage. It is based on the autobiographical work of Paula Vogel, which earned her the Pulitzer Prize.

The story follows the coming of age of a young girl, Li’l Bit, through her complex and deeply unsettling relationship with her uncle. Their dynamic unfolds through driving lessons, which he uses over the years to subtly manipulate and exploit her. Without taking away from the magic of the performance, we’ll leave it there. Spoiler alert: some of us walked out with a lump in our throat and tears in our eyes.

At its core, the mission of this theatre, and the people behind it, is to remind us that we do not all live the same reality. Everyone carries their own struggles, their own silent battles. And perhaps that is the true purpose of theatre: to reach you, to make you think, to change you. What makes Heartefact truly special is how it does this. Through its space. When you step inside, you’re not entering a theatre. You’re entering a home. You become one with the actors, one with the story. Suddenly, this is no longer something happening to someone else, somewhere far away. For that hour, you are living it. In the dimness of the house (I won’t call it a hall, because Heartefact is so much more than that), as you watch other people’s lives unfold, you are actually learning how to feel again.

You learn that your pain is not isolated, that your fears are universal, and that every tear is, in a way, a return to yourself. Theatre teaches empathy, that rare, almost forgotten ability to step into someone else’s shoes, to live another life for ninety minutes, and walk out just a little softer, a little kinder, a little more human. It reminds you that you are not alone.

Another thread we explored in conversation with the people working there was the relationship between theatre and democracy. Theatre teaches you to think critically. It shows you that there are no taboos, no fixed boundaries. It is the driving force behind both personal and societal change – a light at the end of the tunnel, a quiet promise of a better tomorrow. Perhaps that is why it endures through history. Because even when it seems like an escape from a harsh reality, theatre is, in truth, its reflection. A mirror held up to society. It doesn’t give you answers , it teaches you how to find them within yourself, instead.

And in the end, we must remember, the “earth” without “art” is just “eh.” 

Block the Hatred, Share the Love 2.0 – Youth leading the way forward

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by YEA Mila Mihajlović Young Leaders walking the talk – knowledge, expertise and leadership as main tools for democratic change During March of 2026, Young European Ambassadors from the regions of the Western Balkans (WeBalkans), Caucasus and Eastern Europe (EU NEIGHBOURS East) had a chance to learn, exchange good practices, and build up on action plans for upcoming projects at the Block the Hatred, Share the Love 2.0 closing workshop in Venice, Italy, organized by the Council of Europe. The participants were joined by experts coming from different walks of life in order to discuss strategies to combat hate speech in both in-person and virtual settings. The activity lasted for 3 days, from 18th to 20th March, and it was a wrap-up of the program for this cohort. Beyond expanding knowledge on diverse national contexts of their colleagues in the given field, YEAs were able to visit a country globally renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, and a city that’s one of a kind worldwide, which has further shaped a perfect environment for building connections, sharing perspectives and showcasing leadership. Main activities The kick-off activities of the event were held in a vibrant educational hub of Venice – CFZ (Cultural Flow Zone) Zattere – Biblioteca Area Linguistica. From getting to know each other to the official welcome delivered by Mr Mario Schwetz, the Director of the CoE Office in Venice, the day was off to a bright and promising start. Mr Schwetz extended his warmest regards to everyone present and delivered a remarkable speech concerning the history of Venice, from the times of the Republic to what’s now one of the most visited cities in the world. Subsequently, Mrs Angela Longo, Head of the Anti-discrimination Cooperation Unit at the Council of Europe shared insights about the unit’s work and mission, as well as the ‘’Block the Hatred, Share the Love’’ initiative, which was followed by speeches of Mrs Selena Tasić, Public Diplomacy Manager at WeBalkans and Mrs Ana Kuprava, the group leader of the East. They spoke about the respective networks, their working mechanisms, and the participation of young people in change-making processes at both the local and regional levels. This was consecutively followed by exchanges of YEAs in a couple of small groups, where we discussed our previously undertaken initiatives that had the sole purpose of combating hatred through counter and alternative narratives and were implemented as an integrated part of the program. The initiatives were diverse, ranging from organised workshops to social media campaigns, but most importantly, all were efficient in delivering concrete results, building impact, and therefore showcasing that the power of love will never be defeated. Alongside that, we had an opportunity to discuss the challenges we face on a daily level due to our activist engagements that are often overlooked, misinterpreted, or even undermined. This part of the day was facilitated by Mr Claudio Tocchi, Consultant, Council of Europe. Right after that, we had the pleasure of receiving a highly inspiring and educational lecture tackling the international and European legislative tools on equality and combating hate speech, which was delivered by Professor Sara de Vido from the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice and Marija Andreeva, Project Officer, Council of Europe. We had the opportunity to dive deeper into how the circulation of hatred and hate speech is monitored and sanctioned by the responsible organs of the EU and the international framework, which is a must-know in the field. However, what happened after that was more than just networking, but rather the beginning of connections that felt closer. YEAs were joined by the students of Ca’ Foscari University to expand the dialogue and explore different viewpoints. We shared perspectives, listened to the new ones, amplified the existing educational grasp of countering stereotypes, building online campaigns and leading the change, but most importantly, we’ve built friendships that might last a lifetime if cherished properly – which is a huge win! Seeing how many commonalities we possess, how many similar experiences we have gone through and how much of a yearning passion to change the world into a better place we collectively and wholeheartedly cultivate, this workshop felt like the right place to be. Followed by a short voyage we grouply embarked on, we have arrived at the Centro don Lorenzo Milani/Youth Centre in Mestre, Venice. Besides being greeted in an incredibly kind and welcoming manner by the members of the Centre’s staff, we had the chance to encounter a completely new standpoint on what it truly means to be a youth worker and a young person who engages in activities of this particular youth centre. As of what we’ve heard, the Centre has a history of a strong philanthropic base. Explained by one of the leading faces of the facility, Mrs. Irene, they offer a space for young people to access informal education activities, but also seek psychological support and help in combating hard times caused by any sorts of inconveniences – which shapes it into a second home for everyone who uses the services or feels like the environment that promotes learning and growth is the right fit for them. This conversation felt beyond enriching. What followed, however, was a cherry on top of the pie – a workshop curated by brilliant four youth workers: Gaia, Giulia, Fabrizio and Francesco, in which we joined three different learning games that had an aim to make us step out of our roles for a moment and switch the roles with those who aren’t socially included and are denied of practicing their fundamental rights.  Both the 2nd and the 3rd day activities took place at the Council of Europe Office in Venice and were followed by the presentation of studies and interactive lectures delivered by Mr Stefan Manevski, Senior Project Officer, Council of Europe. Mr Manevski shared tips and tricks on how to make effective campaigns that go beyond generating views – but actually inspiring change and building legacy. What’s the right way to send a message? How to curate a campaign or an initiative that invites the target groups to act? And most importantly, what’s the effectiveness of the counter-narratives to hate speech? Another presentation was held by a Serbian influencer, activist and founder of Tampon Zona, Mrs Iva Parađanin Lilić, who took us through her work. In her podcast, she features different guests with whom she addresses various topics through an intersectional, feminist lens. Being one of the leading female voices regarding menstrual poverty in the Western Balkans, she told us about the reality of her journey, mentioning the struggles of female creators who are more commonly exposed to hate speech. Besnik Baka, Communication Officer, Council of Europe, spoke about the design and implementation of communication and awareness-raising activities. He demonstrated the importance of attracting and building an audience or target group, as well as paying attention to visual and other details when implementing projects, especially ones that are meant for online publication. For the concluding activity, YEAs were split into 4 groups with a mission to generate audio-visual content during specifically assigned tours of different parts of the city. Some of the locations included in the tour maps of groups were the Jewish Ghetto, Santa Maria della Salute, the Accademia Bridge, and the local green market. The luggage is unpacked and ready for a new journey – what have we brought home that stays? In a time that flies mercilessly, it’s incredibly hard to even keep memories close to your heart. They fly away with the wind into the unknown, and you usually have to dig through your memory lane just to remember that single sentence you were told you must remember. However, I believe it was a slightly contrasting case this time.
  1. The importance of listening:
Being a change-maker isn’t a mission for those who are not ready to hear what others want to share. Predisposition for success isn’t knowing everything, but understanding how much knowledge you lack. Different lives, countries, and realities might equal different realities and experiences. However, the sure equation is listening = learning. There are a lot of temporary riches in this world, whilst knowledge remains the permanent wealth and door to the world that embraces differences. As you are reading this, just imagine how far we’d go if we only knew a bit more about the people that we share this planet with. Right?
  1. Another LinkedIn connection or an actual person you’d love to meet again?
Attending conferences and any sort of formal gatherings might be the reason why our social batteries are in decline. Prioritising speed up networking to maximise the number of your LinkedIn connections isn’t a way to stay in touch with colleagues and opportunities, but a method for the substitution of true, human connections. Let’s imagine it together – you plant 20 beautiful seeds in your garden, and you’d love for all of them to bloom. The first 5 are closer to you, so you water them every day, while you let the rest figure it out on their own. Within 2 months, out of 20 seeds, you’ll have 5 beautiful flowers and 15 that didn’t even bloom. To avoid such a loss, plant 5 and give them as much attention and care as they need. You’ll end up having 5 of the most beautiful flowers ever, without feeling exhaustion or pity that the rest have died. It’s the same with people – 20 LinkedIn connections might raise that number under your profile, but will you stay in touch with all of them, even if you really wanted to? Hm… The good news is that our groups were more than happy to escape this loop and truly connect!
  1. Agree to disagree
This one is quite connected to the first point. Agreements are nice, but disagreements might be way more helpful. Tuning in to what people, or in this case, your fellow activists, have to say will open a path you might not have ever found out about earlier. Being raised in neighbouring countries with narratives that might not align isn’t a reason to hold grudges. Analysing, deconstructing and understanding the reason why behind it is something that Young European Ambassadors do.
  1. The power of being united
Each person in this world indeed is one of a kind, or as said in my mother tongue: ‘’Ni prsti na rukama nisu isti, a kamoli ljudi’’ – eng. neither are the fingers of the hands the same, let alone people. What’s way harder than judging and putting labels is understanding and accepting. Our daily agendas should revolve around practising kindness. The differences are there to make us see the beauty of life through the eyes, skin and shoes of the other. Would mosaics be such a breathtaking form of art if they were monochromatic? Once understood that differences aren’t gaps to be filled but bridges to be taken, many will understand how the power of love truly works. And this is why so many of us have met in Venice to ‘’Block the Hatred, Share the Love’’!  Until next time…

EU starts EUR 61.8 million pre-financing for Kosovo under the Growth Plan

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Following the ratification of the Growth Plan-related Agreements by the Kosovo Assembly and the submission of the necessary documentation by the Government, the European Commission has started transferring EUR 61.8 million to Kosovo in pre-financing under the Growth Plan’s Reform and Growth Facility, providing an important incentive to advance reforms.

The pre-financing represents 7% of the total EUR 882.6 million in grants and favourable loans available to Kosovo under the Growth Plan until the end of 2027. The funds will support the implementation of Kosovo’s Reform Agenda and key infrastructure projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), bringing Kosovo closer to the EU.

Out of the EUR 61.8 million, a EUR 28.74 million in loans has been transferred today to Kosovo’s budget, while the remaining amount — EUR 33.04 million (17.73 in grants and 15.31 million in loans) — will be channelled through the WBIF.

In its Reform Agenda — the basis for the allocation of EU Growth Plan funds — Kosovo has committed to implementing 111 reform steps, covering key areas such as the rule of law, governance, economic development, the green and digital transitions, and human capital.

Each reform step is linked to a specific financial allocation. Payments under the Growth Plan will be made progressively as Kosovo implements the agreed reforms. If certain reform steps are not completed by the set deadlines, the corresponding funds will not be disbursed.

A first final deadline lies ahead for 13 reform steps, collectively valued at EUR 90.8 million, which are due by 30 June 2026. Moreover, the end of this year marks the final deadline for another 27 reform steps, valued at EUR 165.9 million.

“The European Union stands by Kosovo on its EU integration path. The Growth Plan offers a concrete opportunity to accelerate EU-related reforms and bring Kosovo’s economy closer to the EU’s single market. Through this support, the EU aims to help Kosovo strengthen the rule of law, advance its green and digital transitions, and foster sustainable economic growth,” said Acting Head of the EU in Kosovo Eva Palatova.

“Kosovo is committed to the timely implementation of the Reform Agenda and to making full use of the opportunities offered by the Growth Plan. While some time has been lost, we will do our best to accelerate reforms and deliver on our commitments. This is a demanding task, but an achievable one,” said Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

The European Union is Kosovo’s largest provider of financial assistance and most reliable partner, with more than EUR 3.7 billion in grants invested across sectors since 1999, and an additional EUR 421 million in IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) grants currently available to Kosovo.

On top of this, through the Growth Plan, the EU continues to support Kosovo’s reform efforts and its progress on the path toward European integration.

For more information on Kosovo’s 111 reform steps and payments made through the EU’s Growth Plan, please see the Reform and Growth Facility Scoreboard.

Education for the EU market: Digital communication is not self-promotion but a tool

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

The vast European Union market is open to everyone, primarily to young people with knowledge and ideas from member states, but also from candidate countries, and in this context EU institutions support education and empowerment, particularly of young people. With EU support and in cooperation with Jasna Pejović, Director of DigitalBee and Flourish, the Europe House in Montenegro organised the workshop “Career Skills for the Future of Europe” as part of the broader educational programme for young people and start-up businesses entitled “Digital Communication, LinkedIn and EU Opportunities”.

“The programme has been designed as a practical educational cycle that introduces young people to how the modern EU ecosystem functions – from projects and mobility opportunities to start-up initiatives and international partnerships. Many participants emphasise that the programme helped them define their professional goals more clearly and improve the way they present themselves in an international environment,” says Ana Barada from Europe House Montenegro. She explains that the focus of the training is on skills that are essential for professional development in the European context, but which are often not part of formal education: digital communication and clear presentation of ideas, building professional identity and credibility, strategic use of LinkedIn, content marketing and communicating values and projects, networking and initiating cooperation in an international environment, and understanding how EU organisations select partners and projects.

The Europe House Montenegro programme consists of four interconnected workshops combining theory, practical exercises and work on concrete examples, while the acquired skills enable young people to present their ideas and initiatives in a way that is relevant and understandable within the EU context. Although these topics may seem familiar, the implementation of this series of workshops highlights the difference between the everyday use of digital tools and their professional application.

Among other things, participants in this programme learn how to clearly articulate their professional story, how to build a high-quality and authentic LinkedIn profile, how to create content that builds trust and visibility, and how to establish first contact with EU partners and organisations,” Barada emphasises, adding that the workshops are part of the regular format of free educational events at Europe House called “Chat Thursdays at Europe House” which aims to bring relevant topics closer to young people and the wider public through an interactive approach. She notes that the lecturers are experts in digital communication, work on EU projects and the development of the start-up ecosystem, with practical experience in international cooperation. Participants in the training sessions are primarily young people – students, young professionals, entrepreneurs and all those wishing to develop their skills and better understand EU opportunities – who apply through a public call announced on social media, with selection made on a “first come, first served” basis.

Workshop leader Jasna Pejović, Director of DigitalBee and Flourish, says that particular emphasis was placed on LinkedIn as a tool important for professional visibility, networking and opening up new opportunities.

“It was important for me to present digital communication not as ‘self-promotion’, but as a tool for building trust, credibility and professional development. My goal was for the workshop to be practical, modern and useful to young people who are at the beginning of their careers or building their professional path, and that is precisely why I focused on how to use LinkedIn to present more clearly who they are, what interests them, what they are building and in which direction they want to develop,” says Pejović. She explains that she prepared the workshop based on her own long-term professional experience in digital transformation, leadership and entrepreneurship as the founder of the start-up Flourish and as someone who actively builds a professional presence and community on LinkedIn, while she also drew information and inspiration from many years of teaching experience in Marketing and Digital Marketing, from working with students and young professionals, and from a very concrete understanding of how professional visibility, networking and trust-building function today in the digital and international context.

“What I noticed was that many arrived feeling that they lacked sufficient experience or that they ‘had nothing to say’, especially when it comes to LinkedIn and professional communication. During the workshops, this changed significantly – they began to recognise that they too, whether students, young professionals, representatives of the NGO sector, entrepreneurs or start-up founders, have valuable stories, experiences and development paths that they can communicate effectively and authentically. There were many questions, much interaction and very strong engagement, which for me was the best indication that the topics were relevant and well chosen,” Pejović explains.

Barada says that participants were highly satisfied and left the workshops with concrete results such as improved LinkedIn profiles.

“Many highlighted that the programme helped them define their professional goals more clearly and improve the way they present themselves in an international environment,” Barada explains, adding that participants in the workshops gained practical and applicable knowledge, a better understanding of EU projects and opportunities, and greater confidence in professional communication.

Alongside free educational opportunities such as this one organised by Europe House in Montenegro, employment services in many EU countries and candidate countries offer vouchers for free education in this field.

Kavadarci’s Youth Incubator: From classroom ideas to the municipal budget 2027

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

Written by Gjorgji Ristov, Young European Ambassador

What happens when students from all three high schools in a small Macedonian town sit down with their mayor, without speeches or podiums, and just talk? Kavadarci gave the answer on 7 April 2026: a new kind of participatory democracy, a direct pipeline from youth ideas to the municipal budget, and a model that the whole region can follow.As a Young European Ambassador, I have always believed that meaningful youth participation is not about listening to young people once a year – it is about giving them a real seat at the table where budgets are decided. That is why, on 7 April 2026, I organised the “Youth Incubator: From Idea to Municipal Budget 2027” forum in Kavadarci, North Macedonia. The event brought together 22 young participants, 18 students from all three high schools in Kavadarci (SOU “Gjorče Petrov”, SU “Dobri Daskalov”, and SOU “Kiro Spandžov – Brko”) and 4 representatives from local youth NGOs. We divided them into seven mixed teams, breaking the usual school boundaries so that students who normally never work together had to collaborate.

Three themes, seven teams, one goal. The young people worked on three thematic areas inspired by the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and the EU Youth Check: Digital and smart municipality, green mobility and urban development, youth infrastructure and culture. Each team developed concrete proposals, from bicycle lanes with LED lights embedded in the asphalt, to smart benches with solar-powered USB chargers, and a digital platform called “Kavadarci Smart City” where citizens can report problems and vote on youth projects. Under green mobility, students specifically proposed introducing electric tricycles and electric scooters as a sustainable and accessible way for young people to move around the city.

 

The most powerful moment was not a formal presentation. It was the coffee break. During that time, the 18 students sat down informally with the Mayor of Kavadarci, Mitko Janchev. No prepared speeches, no microphones. Just young people explaining their ideas directly to the person who signs the budget, and the Mayor listening, asking questions, and giving instant feedback. For many students, it was the first time they felt that their voice actually mattered. “This is not just a national reference. This is an international reference. A small town with a big idea.” – I said that at the closing, and I truly believe it.

 

So, what happens next? The ideas generated during the forum will now be reviewed by the Local Youth Council of Kavadarci. The best proposals will be developed into a formal project proposal with a realistic budget, to be submitted to the Municipality by November 2026 for inclusion in the 2027 budget. A working group composed of mentors, students, and youth council members will continue the work in the coming months.

 

Kavadarci is a town of about 40,000 people. It is not the capital, nor a big regional centre. But on 7 April 2026, it became one of the first municipalities in the Western Balkans to implement a structured, guaranteed path from youth ideas to an actual budget line. This is the essence of the EU Youth Strategy, making young people “architects of their own lives”, applied at the local level.

 

The event also directly implements North Macedonia’s Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies (Official Gazette No. 10/2020), which requires municipalities to allocate at least 0.1% of their budget to youth activities. According to 2024 monitoring reports by the National Youth Council of North Macedonia, only nine municipalities complied with this legal minimum. Kavadarci now has a chance to become a positive example.

 

Acknowledgements:

This initiative would not have been possible without the support of the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) network, the European Union, and the WeBalkans programme. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the Municipality of Kavadarci, Mayor Mitko Janchev, Director Zoran Milevski of SOU “Dobri Daskalov”, all the mentors and professors, and, most of all, the 22 young people who showed that age is not a barrier to shaping the future of your community.

Making a difference together: Cleaning Ćemovsko polje

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

By Matija Svorcan

As a Young European Ambassador in Montenegro, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in a volunteer clean-up initiative at Ćemovsko polje, located just outside Podgorica. The clean-up action was organized by the Volunteer Fire Department of Podgorica, with the important goal of maintaining an area that is particularly vulnerable to wildfires. Their efforts highlight how community engagement can play a crucial role in environmental protection and risk prevention.

My colleague Aldo Vlahovljak and I were proud to contribute to this meaningful initiative, which aimed to raise environmental awareness among the citizens of Podgorica. The action brought together a large number of volunteers and members of the fire department, all of whom selflessly dedicated their time and energy to ensure everything ran smoothly. Volunteers from the NGO “Naša akcija,” which is primarily active in the Kotor and Tivat regions, also took part in the initiative, further emphasizing the power of collaboration across communities.

Beyond the productive work, the event was also an opportunity for social connection and shared experiences. The day concluded with a joint lunch, where all volunteers gathered, exchanged stories, and celebrated the impact of their collective effort and collaboration.