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The Yeast grows, the business thrives: How Dragana’s baking business supports her returnee family reintegration

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

How Regional Returnee Reintegration Project, implemented by UNDP and funded by the EU is helping vulnerable returnees build a better future back home. In Novi Sad’s Night Bazaar, Dragana, a Roma baker, and her mother work at their stall, making sourdough bread. This market happens twice a month, where local people like Dragana sell their goods.   Dragana didn’t plan to start a business. She learned to bake to support her family when they couldn’t find jobs. “Baking sourdough is like doing maths. It needs careful planning and the right conditions,” Dragana explains. Her skills in making bread are helping her family.     The bakery brought hope when moving away from Serbia felt like the only choice. Many people in the Western Balkans move to other countries for work, including Dragana’s family members.  But after a time in Germany, her family came back.  Her family’s return experience made Dragana want to build a future in Serbia, a future that would also welcome her family  back to their hometown.   The Regional Returnee Reintegration Project has helped Dragana a lot. Thanks to the project, Dragana is making her bakery official and hopes to involve her whole family.  This regional project is run by the UNDP with the EU’s support is active in three WB countries: Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia.  In Serbia,  in three partner municipalities, this project is helping vulnerable returnees build a better future back home.

“I want to include my family in the business,” she says with hope. “My mother will join first, and maybe my brother later. It’s more than just making money; it’s about working together as a family.”

About the project The Reintegration of Returnees in the Western Balkans project is focused on addressing key barriers for socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable returnees in the Western Balkans.  The project is part of the EU Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) II Multi-Country Action, EU support to Fundamental Rights of Roma Community, and Reintegration of Returnees, entrusted to UNDP, World Bank, and the Council of Europe.   In all Western Balkan economies, the project assesses policy and institutional gaps and facilitates a dialogue on mechanisms for implementation and monitoring of reintegration policies and programmes. In Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, the project implements local level programmes and tests innovative solutions for sustainable socio-economic reintegration of returnees.   Find out more: Reintegration of returnees in the Western Balkans project Dragana’s bakery is setting an example in her community. It shows how a family can use their skills and work together to succeed.   The Night Bazaar in Novi Sad shows the importance of local markets. They help people sell what they make, grow their businesses, and bring people together. Dragana’s bakery stand, with its fresh bread, is more than just a place to buy food. It stands for hard work, new starts, and a better future for people returning to Serbia.   The EU and UNDP’s Reintegration of Returnees project is a big help. It’s making it easier for Dragana and others to get the training and support they need to grow their businesses. This is helping Dragana to not just run a bakery, but to bring her family into it. They hope to make a successful business that can offer jobs to other people coming back to Serbia, too.   Dragana and her relatives have a vision. They want to turn their love for baking into a business that supports the family and shares their tradition.   The bakery has brought hope to Dragana’s family. It’s a chance for them to stay in Serbia and be part of their community. The UNDP and EU are helping them to do this.   Dragana is excited to work with her family. Starting with her mother and maybe her brother later, they plan to grow the business. It’s not just about selling bread; it’s about making a life they can share.   Dragana’s story is about never giving up. Her bakery is becoming a symbol of hope for her community, showing that a family’s history and goals can come together and succeed.   Novi Sad’s Night Bazaar is a place where people like Dragana can share what they make. Her bakery stand, with its fresh bread, is a sign of hard work and new beginnings. It shows that people who come back to their country can make a good future for themselves.

YEAs AL meet with MEP Isabel Santos

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

On March 27 2024, in Europe House Tirana, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) convened a meeting with Isabel Santos, the European Parliament Rapporteur for Albania. The gathering aimed to delve into Albania’s endeavors concerning its accession process to the European Union.

 

With 11 YEAs present out of approximately 16 participants, the session centered on exchanging views on Albania’s progress toward EU membership. A key focus was the youth perspective on the challenges inherent in this process and exploring avenues through which YEAs could effectively communicate the significance of EU accession to young people.

 

Among the YEAs in attendance were Daniela Kortoçi, Ema Meçaj, Erid Rama, Jursi Temali, Kolindo Vjerdha, Loreta Gjoni, Mirjon Mulgeci, Serona Kolaveri, Stjuart Islamaj, Silvana Farruku, and Xhuljana Mucaj.

 

The meeting provided a platform for constructive dialogue between YEAs and Isabel Santos, facilitating a deeper understanding of the EU accession journey and the role of youth in advocating for and participating in this transformative process.

A historic moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path toward EU membership

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

EU officials have emphasised the importance of continued reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a landmark decision taken on the 22nd of March 2024, the European Union has formally agreed to initiate membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a major milestone in the country’s longstanding aspiration to join the bloc. This development signifies a turning point for Bosnia and Herzegovina, acknowledging its dedication to aligning with EU standards and setting the course for a more unified future within the European community.

 

The journey to this pivotal moment has not been an easy one for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the nation undertaking extensive efforts to enforce the requisite reforms mandated by the EU. These reforms have centred on bolstering democratic governance, the rule of law, human rights, and economic restructuring. Today’s endorsement by the European Council is a testament to the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

The path to EU membership is known for its demanding nature and protracted timeframe, with the accession process typically spanning multiple years. It requires an exhaustive review of the aspirant country’s legislation and policy framework to ensure compatibility with EU directives and regulations. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, today’s decision is just the beginning of a journey that will require sustained effort and cooperation across all sectors of society.

 

EU officials have underscored the importance of continued reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially concerning anti-corruption, judicial autonomy, and fiscal stability. The European Union has assured Bosnia and Herzegovina of its continuous backing, which includes expert guidance and financial assistance, to aid in fulfilling the remaining benchmarks for accession.

 

The decision to open membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina also sends a strong signal to other Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU. It reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to enlargement and integration, based on merit and the adherence to core European values.

EIB Global boosts Albania’s railway transport: €100 million for the EU-financed Vorë-Hani i Hotit railway line

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

EIB Global, the outward facing arm of the European Investment Bank, has just unlocked a substantial €100 million loan to give Albania’s railway system a major facelift. The cash is going straight into improving the railway line that stretches a good 120 km from Vorë all the way to Hani i Hotit right up against the Montenegrin border. The project’s a big part of the EU’s actions to get rail infrastructure in the Western Balkans on the fast track to better economic ties, trade, and eco-friendly transport.

 

This funding mix includes the EIB’s loan, plus €126 million grant from the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, and €98.75 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The deal was sealed at a ceremony in Tirana with a crowd of officials, including EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama.

 

EIB’s VP Kakouris, in charge of overseeing the Bank’s investments in the Western Balkans, said “This project is proof of what we can do when we join forces under the Team Europe banner. We’re set to beef up the links between Albania, its neighbours, and the EU. We’re paving the way for a smarter, sturdier, and more inclusive railway network. As the go-to bank for climate action in the EU, we’re all in on propelling Albania and the region’s railroads into the future.”

 

Belinda Balluku, Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, stressed the bigger regional picture, “This rail line isn’t just a win for Albania; it’s a win for the whole neighbourhood, making it easier for people and goods to move around and turbocharging economic growth. With the Tirana-Durrës line already setting the pace, this new Vorë-Hani i Hotit stretch is our government’s next big step in rail transport. We’re counting on the EIB as a key ally in driving our strategic infrastructure ambitions.”

 

The project’s will wire up the rail track, give a fresh look to 12 stations, introduce advanced communication and signal technologies, and ramp up safety. These tweaks are set to crank up train speeds to 120 km/h, making the passenger and freight game a whole lot more efficient. This line isn’t just any line—it’s part of the big-league TEN-T Mediterranean Corridor and is the only railway rope tying Albania to the rest of Europe.

 

André Rizzo from the EU Delegation chimed in, “As Albania and the region stride towards EU integration, the perks are starting to roll in. The revamped Vorë-Hani i Hotit line will mean quicker, safer travel for cargo and folks along the Adriatic. It’s boosting connections and trade in Albania and beyond, plus it’s a solid step towards a greener Albania.”

 

To date, the EIB has been throwing quite the financial muscle behind Western Balkans’ rail projects, with a tally over €1.7 billion in the region and a whopping €40 billion globally over the last ten years. That’s a lot of tracks laid down for progress!

 

Background information 

 

About the EIB and EIB Global: 

The EIB is the long-term financing institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB supports projects in four priority areas: infrastructure, innovation, climate and environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of the Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world. 

 

About the EIB in the Western Balkans: 

The EIB is a leading international financier in the Western Balkans. Since 2010, the Bank has financed projects worth over to €10 billion in the region. On top of its continued support for the reconstruction and upgrade of public infrastructure, since 2010 the EIB has expanded into many new areas, such as healthcare, research and development, education, and small and medium enterprises. For detailed information on EIB activities in the Western Balkans, please visit: www.eib.org/en/publications/the-eib-in-the-western-balkans.  

 

About the EIB in Albania: 

The EIB has been active in Albania since 1995. To date, 26 projects have been financed and over €600 million invested, mostly in key transport, energy, water and wastewater infrastructure. For more information regarding the EIB’s projects in Albania, please see: Albania and the EIB 

 

About the Western Balkans Investment Framework 

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions, bilateral donors and beneficiaries, aimed at enhancing harmonisation and cooperation in investments for the socio-economic development of the region and contributing to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.  

Due to its collaborative nature in line with the ‘Team Europe’ approach, the WBIF is the main vehicle for the implementation of the EU’s ambitious Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.

EIB backs Kosovo’s transition to clean energy with major solar plant

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Kosovo is taking a significant step towards a sustainable future with the upcoming construction of one of its largest solar power plants. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is leading the charge with a €33 million investment, a part of a comprehensive financial plan to support the project.

 

Located near the capital, Pristina, this solar facility will be a beacon of renewable energy, with an impressive capacity to generate clean electricity. This initiative is expected to have a meaningful impact on the nation’s energy supply, contributing to a decrease in reliance on coal and a shift towards environmentally friendly power sources.

 

This financial endeavour is supported by a combined effort from European institutions. Alongside the EIB, the KfW Development Bank is providing a €29 million loan, and the EU is adding a €32 million grant. This collective investment underscores Europe’s commitment to fostering renewable energy and promoting energy self-sufficiency in the region.

 

Once operational, the solar plant is anticipated to significantly contribute to Kosovo’s electricity needs, generating a substantial amount of energy annually and substantially reducing carbon emissions.

 

The EIB, with its focus on supporting long-term, sustainable investments, is optimistic about the positive effects of this project on Kosovo’s energy landscape. It is considered a crucial step towards meeting the country’s renewable energy targets. The investment also aligns with the broader EU Green Agenda, which prioritises ecological and economic sustainability.

 

Kosovo’s government is celebrating this milestone as a transformational moment in the nation’s energy policy. The plant not only promises to supply renewable energy but is also expected to drive economic growth, job creation, and skill development.

 

The EU has expressed that this investment is a strategic and long-term commitment to the prosperity and environmental health of the region. It is seen as an integral part of the collective move towards a green energy transition that benefits everyone.

 

For more in-depth information about the EIB’s efforts and projects in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkan region, resources are readily available on the EIB website. This solar plant project is more than just an investment in renewable energy—it is an investment in Kosovo’s green future and economic resilience.

 

About the European Investment Bank (EIB)

The EIB is the long-term financing institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB supports projects in four priority areas: infrastructure, innovation, climate and environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). www.eib.org

 

About EIB in the Western Balkans:

The EIB is a leading international financier in the Western Balkans. Since 2010, the Bank has financed projects worth over €10 billion in the region. Besides continuing its support for the reconstruction and upgrading of public infrastructure, the EIB has expanded into many new areas since 2010, including healthcare, research and development, education, and small and medium enterprises. For detailed information on EIB activities in the Western Balkans, please visit: LINK

For more information regarding the EIB’s projects in Kosovo, please see: LINK

North Macedonia’s new railway link: A step towards EU integration and economic revitalization

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North Macedonia has kicked off the construction of a long-awaited railway, which represents “a missing gateway” in the European rail network that will run from Germany to Bulgaria. The European Union is providing assistance to the 89 km section from Kumanovo to the Bulgarian border, with plans to complete before the end of the decade.  

 

“The European Union is supporting North Macedonia in developing a functional and modern railway system, which will provide better connectivity, quality of life and increased economic development opportunities for citizens. Integrating railway connections into North Macedonia’s transport network is one of the European Union’s priorities, because it will ensure efficient climate-friendly movement for people and freight across the European continent” said David Geer, head of the EU delegation to North Macedonia. 

 

The EU is also financing the segment, which began construction in 2022, from Kumanovo to Beljakovce (31 km), as part of the commitment to electrify the entire line to (Skopje – Veles – Beljakovce – Kumanovo – border with Bulgaria) to connect with Bulgaria, thereby ensuring a modern and efficient railway network.  

 

“This project will improve the working conditions of the railway employees, provide safer railway services, and it will allow for greater possibility for development and growth of the North Macedonia economy as a whole,” said Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi.  

 

For this pivotal rail route, €560 million has been secured under the auspices of Team Europe. The funds entail a €175 million loan from EIB Global and another loan of equal size from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. These loans will be complemented by a €150 million EU grant through the Western Balkans Investment Framework and a grant of as much as €60 million from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. The project forms part of the Global Gateway, the European Union’s strategy that aims at narrowing the global investment gap for vital infrastructure. 

 

“This is not just a project about railways. It is about transforming North Macedonia’s railway system for the 21st century! Improving competition and enhancing market quality in the railway sector, as part of North Macedonia’s effort to integrate into the wider European green and connectivity agenda,” said Jürgen Rigterink, First Vice President of the EBRD.  

 

With a 1873 railway history, North Macedonia is reinforcing sustainability and moving closer toward EU integration, highlighting that indigenous determination plus cooperation can take on any lack of significant infrastructure. 

Winners of the Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of year 2023 announced

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The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) celebrated the outstanding successes of female entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans by naming six women “Women Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2023” in Sarajevo. Rigersa Loku (Green Woman Entrepreneur), Ilda Humić (Social Star Woman Entrepreneur), Hana Qerimi (Young Woman Entrepreneur), Nikolina Kovačević (Tourism Woman Entrepreneur), Irena Chaushevska Danilovska (ICT Woman Entrepreneur) and Marija Ivanković Jurišić (Artistic Woman Entrepreneur) were chosen from 250 applicants, reflecting an array of businesses from green to technology and artistic initiatives. 

“Out of about 250 nominations this year, the jury had a tough job selecting six women entrepreneurs of the year for 2023, but I believe they chose well. Thanks to all the nominees, and congratulations to those who won this prestigious title tonight. To you I am bowing my head and applauding you for letting us take the inspiration from your success. I know that behind each of you there is a story of hard work, sleepless nights, sacrifice, but also strength, persistence, dedication and bravery. Women entrepreneurs are vital contributors to the prosperity of the Western Balkans and through this initiative, we give a humble recognition to brave and fierce women who dared to fight stereotypes and bring about the change,” said Amer Kapetanovic, Head of RCC Political Department in his welcoming speech on behalf of RCC Secretary General.   

The ceremony, which also featured speeches from Anna Vezyroglou from the European Commission, and moderation by international news anchor Nafisa Latic, celebrated the initiative’s success in promoting female entrepreneurship. Responding to the outstanding quality of nominations, a Special Recognition Jury was introduced this year, honoring six additional women for their contributions to reshaping societal norms, promoting healthy lifestyles, Balkan cuisine, mental health, women’s empowerment, and family business development. 

The project is part of Regional Cooperation Council’s Women Economic Empowerment Agenda and the common Regional Market Action Plan 2021-2024, aiming to recognize and assist women who have set up and grown businesses, creating new and sustainable job opportunities in the region. Funded by the European Union, the project will reward through the years the best women entrepreneurs, recognizing women’s achievements while encouraging others by portraying success stories and battling for the growth of their businesses and facing their challenges. 

 

Photo: RCC/Jasmin Sakovic 

€10 Million Boost for Brčko Port: A New Era for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Infrastructure

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In a significant development in its bid to modernize key infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Brčko Port has launched the next phase of its development with a €3 million grant from the European Union and a further €7 million in loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This funding will see the facilities overhauled offering a significant upgrade in its operational abilities and regional economic impact. 

 

The operation of a new crane was marked by Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative, and Perica Josić, Director of Brčko Port. Ambassador Sattler expressed his enthusiasm about the project: “Today we are witnessing a notable achievement in the ongoing modernization efforts of the Brčko Port and I’m delighted the EU could contribute to it. Brčko’s advantageous position on the Sava is not currently used to its full potential. By supporting the modernization of the Brčko Port, we are not only contributing to economic development and jobs, but also to strengthening the trade links and opportunities between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union, as well as the wider region.” 

 

The project is part of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), which kicked off with the completion of the port plateau in 2022. An important part of the project, funded by the EU, includes reconstructing the access road from the port to Bijeljinska cesta, and the industrial railway connecting the port to Brčko Novo railway station, anticipated to be completed in 2024. 

 

Perica Josić, Director of Brčko Port, said of the investment: “This project is hugely significant; for the first time in over 50 years the Brčko District has seen a real and significant amount of investment. By investing in the development of this infrastructure we are now the initiators of new economic development, that’s the significance of this project. I believe that having a European port in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina provides not only the Brčko District but the entire country with new opportunities to develop and progress.” 

 

Zijad Nišić, Brčko District Mayor, welcomed the development as an investment in the Green Agenda and decarbonization process which he said would ultimately lead to long-term economic benefits and prosperity for the region. Manuela Naessl, Head of the EBRD in BiH pointed out that it is yet another important project for the economy of Brčko which will contribute to business development, facilitate exports and imports while bringing BiH even closer to the EU. 

 

This modernization project is in line with the European Commission’s Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans which will improve the region’s transportation and infrastructural connectivity. The specific focus is to increase the navigation along the Danube River, a critical link on the core TEN-T network (Rhine-Danube Corridor), improving waterway traffic across the continent. The Brčko Port modernization intervention represents a big step forward in BiH infrastructural improvements offering new perspectives of growth and regional connectivity. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Journey to EU Membership Begins

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The European Commission has recommended today to the Council to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a major move on the country’s European integration path. This follows the Commission’s communication to the Council about its Enlargement report on 8 November, addressing Ukraine and Moldova’s situation and their progress on the Council’s conditions for advancing EU bilateral relations over the last five years. The recommendation to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina comes after the European Council decided in December 2022 to give the country candidate status.  

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina have since adopted a series of reforms, showing that it has all the guarantees of a clear European vocation. The country has adopted a series of laws necessary to avoid conflict of interests and to carry out the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing; advanced the country’s judiciary and prosecutorial system, fighting against corruption, organized crime, terrorism; and improve concerning migration management through the negotiation of a Frontex status agreement. These efforts have allowed the country to align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and have in many respects provided for a level of development that has been unknown in a short but many years.  

 

“Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken impressive steps forward since being granted candidate status, achieving more in just over a year than in the previous decade. It can meet the membership criteria and its citizens aspire to become part of the EU family,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.  

 

Draft negotiating frameworks are also proposed for Ukraine and for Moldova by the Commission, after the European Council decided to open negotiations with both. Learning from past enlargements, the proposed drafting framework better identifies for both countries the guidelines and principles that will govern the conduct of the negotiations, as well as the stage achieved by most of the revised methodology on enlargement and adaptations made to the EU’s acquis in the last years. The Commission’s willingness to present these proposals to the Council reflects the European Union’s enlargements’ new impetus. The draft negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova specify the principles, the substance, as well as the procedural aspects of the negotiations, they invite the former to adopt and implement the EU acquis in its entirety. The least can be said that it marks a very considerable stage on the way to converging these countries with the Union.  

 

As the European Union looks to extend its membership, whether these agreements are adopted by the Council will be of crucial importance. The Council’s decision is anticipated to initiate formal accession negotiations, affirming the EU’s dedication to its enlargement policy and integrating these countries into the European family in the process. 

Montenegro Joins EU Health Program, Initiating a Healthcare Transformation in the Western Balkans

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Montenegro has marked a significant achievement by joining the EU4Health program, securing a position in the EU’s expansive €5.3 billion initiative. This move is more than a mere policy change; it represents a pivotal shift towards advanced medical care, digital health innovation, and enhanced overall well-being. As Montenegro progresses towards EU membership, this step signifies a major advancement in health standards across Europe. 

Montenegro’s inclusion in the €5.3 billion EU4Health fund from January 2024 heralds a transformative period in healthcare. This development is not merely about financial investment; it symbolizes Montenegro’s entry into a community dedicated to health security and innovation. Originating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU4Health has evolved into a cornerstone of the European Health Union, aiming to establish a resilient and inclusive healthcare system. 

Envision healthcare facilities better equipped to fight cancer, making the path from diagnosis to treatment more manageable. Imagine a healthcare ecosystem where data flows freely, enhancing the capabilities of healthcare professionals and empowering patients. Anticipate pharmacies that are well-prepared even during global crises and mental health services that are accessible when needed most. These visions are set to become reality for Montenegro, promising significant improvements in everyday health services. 

The citizens of Montenegro will soon witness substantial improvements in their healthcare services. The nation’s health sector is now better positioned to address the challenges of non-communicable diseases and protect against global health threats. This revolution in healthcare is not only about healing but also about fostering unity. 

The warm reception from Commissioner Stella Kyriakides reflects more than diplomatic formality; it celebrates a mutual commitment to health and well-being. The EU’s support for Montenegro underscores the expansion of a community united by a common goal of improving health outcomes. 

Montenegro’s journey ahead involves more than overcoming health challenges; it’s about integrating with other key EU initiatives to foster a healthcare system that excels in innovation and research, leading to a more efficient, interconnected health network. 

The EU4Health program is shaped by the contributions of healthcare professionals, patients, scholars, and policymakers. This collaborative effort aims to develop health strategies that meet the specific needs of the Montenegrin population. 

As Montenegro begins this new chapter, it sends an encouraging message to its Western Balkan neighbors: health is a collective endeavor, and progress in this area is a step towards a healthier, more vibrant future for all.