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WiFi4WB – Connecting communities, expanding opportunities

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

In the near future, 61 municipalities in Albania, along with another 400 municipalities across the Western Balkans, will have free internet access in public spaces – on streets, in squares and libraries. The activity is part of the WiFi4WB project, which forms part of the regional EU4Digital programme funded by the European Union and the Government of Germany and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) within the framework of Regional Cooperation for EU Integration.

“Citizens and tourists will be able to use reliable internet free of charge at selected public locations. This is particularly important for young people, students, job seekers and those who may not have stable internet access at home. Free internet in public spaces improves connectivity and benefits small businesses by supporting online communication, digital payments and the promotion of services. It enhances the visitor experience and local tourism while also promoting social inclusion by ensuring that everyone has access to basic digital tools. Overall, the initiative contributes to stronger, better connected and more digitally developed local communities,” explains Amila Ramić from GIZ, stressing that the idea is to help Western Balkan countries integrate into the EU’s Digital Single Market.

The initiative officially began in Albania at the end of February 2025, where all 61 municipalities in the country will receive free Wi-Fi. Anisa Doci from Tirana, who works in the IT sector, believes this is a small but important step towards a more digitally connected and inclusive society.

“For young people, access to free internet opens up more opportunities for learning, exploration and professional development. Students rely heavily on online resources, and easier access can support their education and digital skills. It can help people stay connected, access information more easily and use online public services. It can also help reduce the digital divide for those who may not always have reliable internet access. It may also support the digitalisation of tourist cities by making it easier for visitors to navigate, search for services and share their experiences, while helping local businesses increase their online visibility, promote their services and connect with wider audiences through digital platforms,” says Doci. She believes that EU initiatives that improve digital infrastructure are important for Albania as they help the country move closer to European standards while creating better opportunities for young people, innovation and economic development.

Architect Rixhers Dengo from Albania, a member of the Young European Ambassadors initiative, says he already uses the public Wi-Fi network in his city.

“Internet access has become a basic necessity for participation in modern society, whether in education, work or civic engagement. For citizens, especially young people, free internet in public spaces means greater digital inclusion. It allows people to access information, communicate and use online public services even when they do not have mobile data available. The internet is essential for learning, exploring new opportunities and connecting with the wider world. Free public connectivity can help students access educational resources, discover international opportunities and collaborate with peers beyond their local communities. It supports a more open and connected generation,” Dengo says. He believes that Albania’s path towards the European Union is an opportunity for young people to contribute their ideas and perspectives to the wider European community, while also enabling the country to create better educational and professional opportunities and higher standards in areas such as digital infrastructure and innovation.

The EU initiative for free public Wi-Fi, part of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the individual Reform Agendas, was originally planned for 500 municipalities across the Western Balkans, but 416 applied by the set deadline.

“All six economies have committed to aligning with EU policies through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which outlines a path towards economic integration into the EU’s Single Market, with digital transformation as one of its key pillars. To achieve these goals, it is essential to expand digital infrastructure, develop e-government services and support small businesses in transitioning to the digital economy. Although progress has been made, many challenges remain. High-speed internet is still limited in rural areas, government systems are outdated and businesses often rely on paper-based processes. Stronger digital reforms are needed to connect the region, grow the economy and meet EU standards,” says Ramić. She explains that the free public Wi-Fi project covers equipment, installation, internet services and maintenance for up to three years.

“After this period, municipalities will maintain the service for at least another year, either by covering internet costs themselves or by contracting a provider. They are responsible for securing all necessary permits and ensuring access to electricity. They receive Wi-Fi equipment, which becomes municipal property after handover, as well as installation costs, internet service for 18 months and maintenance for the same period, after which municipalities assume responsibility for operating the network,” Ramić explains.

WiFi4WB draws inspiration from the EU’s WiFi4EU initiative, which was implemented in EU Member States between 2018 and 2020, when approximately €120 million was allocated to support the installation of free public Wi-Fi hotspots in more than 7,000 municipalities across the European Union. The programme improved connectivity in parks, squares, libraries, health centres and public buildings. The aim of the activities in the Western Balkans is to develop secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, strengthen interoperability and e-government, and support the digitalisation of businesses.

Beneath the Adriatic waves: The EU supports advancement of marine technology in Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

Imagine being able to check the sea the way we check the weather! Not occasionally, but every day, in real time. That’s the simple idea behind MONUSEN (Montenegrin Centre for Underwater Sensor Networks), an EU-supported project helping Montenegro build the skills and technology to monitor the underwater world more safely, faster, and more accurately.

For the European Union, excellence in science and the exchange of knowledge are of paramount importance. This is why, through a range of programmes and projects, it actively promotes cooperation among Member States and candidate countries. In this context, the MONUSEN project (MONtenegrin Centre for Underwater SENsor Networks), dedicated to underwater sensor networks, has recently been supported through the Horizon Europe Twinning programme. The project was implemented by the University of Montenegro in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing of the University of Zagreb, Newcastle University, and the Italian National Research Council, all of which are leading European research institutions in the fields of underwater communications and marine robotics.

“MONUSEN is a project focused on research into underwater sensor networks and advanced marine monitoring. Its main objective was to develop knowledge, methodologies and practical competences for modern underwater monitoring and to embed them sustainably into our work through training, joint research activities and the adoption of contemporary research practices”, says Igor Radusinović from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Montenegro.

Underwater sensor networks (USNs) are important because they enable the collection of oceanographic data, pollution monitoring, exploration of natural underwater resources, disaster prevention, assisted navigation and the application of tactical surveillance. Their use is expanding globally, as they allow for long-term monitoring of marine environments without the continuous presence of personnel in the field, while data are delivered regularly, enabling rapid responses and informed decision-making.

Radusinović explains that this work is relevant to all those engaged in technologies serving marine environments – from environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, through the development of the blue economy, to maritime safety and security.

“The sea is vast, dynamic and often difficult to access, and traditional monitoring based on occasional measurements and short-term field surveys is increasingly insufficient for tracking the impacts of climate change, the pressures of tourism and maritime traffic, the needs of aquaculture, as well as for the timely detection of incidents, unusual activities and sudden environmental changes. The capacities developed through this project remain a lasting asset for students and early-career researchers, for institutions that rely on data in coastal and marine resource management, and for industry seeking new services and solutions within the blue economy.”, Radusinović explains.

Nikola Mišković from the FEEC in Zagreb says that the project is exceptionally important because it aims to reduce disparities in research excellence between the University of Montenegro (UoM) and leading European institutions in the field of underwater sensor networks.

“It has enabled students and researchers at the UoM to work with state-of-the-art equipment and leading experts, while the greatest benefits are realised by end users in the fields of marine biology, archaeology, security and environmental protection, as the project develops tools for more effective monitoring of the Adriatic Sea. We became involved because of the scientific challenges associated with coordinated navigation and communication constraints underwater, as well as for reasons of strategic networking”, Mišković says, emphasising that this cooperation builds on a long-standing partnership.

Radusinović and Mišković, who worked on the project alongside Jeff Neasham from Newcastle University and Massimo Caccia from the National Research Council of Italy in Genoa, agree that the project activities would have been impossible to carry out without EU support.

“Participation in the Horizon Europe programme has given us credibility and placed us on the map of European researchers. Without the Twinning programme, we might have carried out a small-scale experiment, but we would not have been able to build the sustainable research capacity that we now possess”, Radusinović says.

Mišković explains that the Twinning programme is designed to connect expertise from leading EU institutions with the potential of developing countries.

“Collaboration with colleagues from Montenegro, Italy and the United Kingdom enables the integration of knowledge from robotics, telecommunications and artificial intelligence under the specific conditions of the Adriatic Sea. This requires substantial funding for mobility and joint experimental campaigns, which national funding schemes rarely support. Without EU funding, it would be impossible to bring together such a consortium of top-level experts working jointly to reduce the scientific gap within Europe”, Mišković concludes.

Cooperation among the partners continues through a range of activities, some of which will have a commercial dimension.

“We now have a well-coordinated team, tangible results and experience gained through training, exchanges and joint experiments. This means that we are entering new project applications far better prepared and with a clearer vision of what we want to develop”, Radusinović says.

Horizon Europe Twinning is a programme aimed at strengthening scientific excellence and institutional networking by linking organisations from less developed countries with at least two leading European research centres. Its primary focus is development of skills through cooperation. It forms part of the Horizon Europe ‘Widening Excellence’ framework and has a budget of €264.5 million. The programme’s objectives include enhancing research capacities, facilitating knowledge exchange and increasing participation in EU-funded projects through institutional partnerships and stronger networking activities.

‘Roam Like at Home’: Commission proposes to open negotiations to extend EU Roaming to the Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

The European Commission has proposed to open negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to integrate them into the EU’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime. Once the agreements are finalised with each of the partners and once they have each fully aligned with EU roaming rules, people travelling between the EU and Western Balkans will be able to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data without roaming surcharges. This means seamless connectivity at domestic rates not only for citizens and businesses from the Western Balkans visiting the EU, but also for EU travellers in the Western Balkans. The agreement will make it easier and more affordable for people and companies on both sides to stay in touch while abroad for study, work or holidays.

Next steps

With the proposal for negotiating mandates adopted today, the Commission seeks Council authorisation to open negotiations with the Western Balkan partners. Once adopted by the Council, the Commission will negotiate bilateral agreements with each Western Balkan partner. When concluded successfully, these agreements will pave the way for the Western Balkans to become part of the ‘EU’s Roam Like at Home’ area.

Background

The Commission’s proposal aims to build on and upgrade the existing voluntary roaming commitments between some mobile operators in the EU and the Western Balkans. These voluntary initiatives allow travellers to already benefit from reduced roaming charges when moving between the two regions. In addition, citizens of the Western Balkans benefit from reduced tariffs when travelling within the region, under the Western Balkans regional roaming agreement. The proposal is a concrete example of the EU’s approach to gradual integration ahead of EU accession, as set out in the 2023 Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The Growth Plan brings forward benefits of EU membership by progressively integrating the Western Balkan partners into the EU’s Single Market. This phased approach delivers tangible benefits for citizens and businesses already before full membership, while remaining firmly anchored in the enlargement process.

For more information

Growth Plan for the Western Balkans ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime

CONNECTA 2 completes the Gap analysis for the power transmission infrastructure in the Western Balkans

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Renewable energy integration is essential for mitigating climate change and ensuring long-term energy security. However, the transition requires overcoming complex technical, economic and policy barriers. Thus well planned investments in transmission infrastructure, a synchronised policy support and cross-border engagement are essential to tackling challenges and creating resilient energy systems across the Western Balkans. To help the regional partners in modernising their transmission networks to support renewable integration and to fully benefit from the larger regional electricity market, CONNECTA 2 carried out a comprehensive assignment, resulting in: The objective was to:
  • Identify gaps in the Western Balkan power transmission systems that hinder large-scale integration of renewable energy sources;
  • Analyse the connectivity of electricity transmission systems in the Western Balkans with neighbouring countries within the TEN-E networks;
  • Evaluate the status and capacity of the high-voltage transmission networks in the Western Balkans and propose necessary upgrades or new infrastructure to support planned renewable generation capacity as part of their power system decarbonization strategies.
A key value of the analysis lays in the approach which provides a multidimensional perspective where findings and recommendations address not only the necessary infrastructure investments in transmission lines, substations and storages but also market and balancing, regulatory and policy issues as well as risk analysis with regards to investments, environmental, climate and social dimensions. Additionally, the time horizon for these in-depth analyses is up to 2040 and considers both short-term and long-term development needs. Download Gap analysis here.

With a little help from the EU, an intriguing past becomes a promising future

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

With almost €2 million in support from the European Union, the Romans Wine Danube project has brought together Roman archaeological heritage and long-standing wine-making traditions, transforming them into a sustainable, internationally recognisable tourism product. As a result, the Festival of Roman Emperors and the Wine Festival will become part of the European Cultural Route of Roman Emperors, while the partnerships established through the project have evolved into a platform for developing new products and testing innovative solutions for enhancing the region’s tourism offer.

The project connects 12 partners from 11 countries, including both EU Member States and non-EU countries. These include governmental and non-governmental organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as tourism and cultural institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Project activities encompass historical research, the identification of sites linked to Roman wine production, the development of interpretative presentations and innovative tourism products aligned with green policies (such as walking and cycling routes), and the strengthening of cooperation between heritage institutions, wine producers and tourism organisations. All activities actively involve marginalised population groups in regions affected by depopulation and uneven development.

The project newsletter notes that this vibrant cooperation has helped build a shared storytelling concept while preserving the unique spirit of each destination along the Danube.

“From Ptuj to Sremska Mitrovica, from Alba Iulia to Pécs, our partners have breathed life into Roman heritage, local wine traditions and authentic experiences that resonate with both residents and visitors alike. Alongside these festivals, a great deal of significant professional work has been taking place behind the scenes”, the newsletter states, adding that ideas developed during meetings and walks were gradually transformed into tangible expressions of the #RWD brand.

The project runs from January 2024 to June 2026, with a total value of nearly €2.2 million, 80 per cent of which is provided through the EU’s Interreg cooperation programme aims to promote balanced economic, social and territorial development across the Union, focuses on strengthening cross-border cooperation as a framework for joint action and policy exchange among stakeholders.

“Tourism can serve as a tool for the sustainable preservation of cultural and historical heritage — enabling visitors to discover that heritage, while also generating higher income for the sites involved. This, in turn, helps local communities recognise the heritage as their own and invest revenues back into its protection. Communication and cooperation are challenging, but our diversity has proved to be an advantage in defining activities and filtering ideas”, explains Siniša Čamernik from the Centre for Competence for the Danube (DCC), an association of tourism stakeholders based in Belgrade and the project’s lead partner.

From Ptuj in Slovenia, partners note that transnational cooperation is always demanding, but ultimately delivers results.

“The main challenges related to harmonising methodologies, aligning timelines and ensuring that all partners had access to the same information. So far, we have learned — among other things — that through strengthened transnational cooperation and joint learning, Roman heritage and wine culture can be transformed into sustainable, high-quality tourism products”, explains Nataša Mršek, Project Officer at the Bistra Research and Development Centre.

From Široki Brijeg in Bosnia and Herzegovina, partners emphasise that regular communication, a clear division of roles and shared objectives helped transform differences among partners into complementarity, enabling higher-quality and more applicable solutions, as well as visible and tangible results on the ground.

“One of the key lessons is that sustainable tourism is not possible without the genuine involvement of the local community. Cultural heritage has proven to have far greater development potential when interpreted in a contemporary, interdisciplinary way and in partnership with the business sector. The project has also confirmed the importance of institutional coordination, and our local Office — acting as a bridge between the local level and European policies — proved crucial for the long-term sustainability of the results”, says Ivana Pešorda from the Office for European Integration of the West Herzegovina Canton.

Čamernik underlines that the EU provides both the financial and institutional framework and initiates cooperation, while Mršek notes that the EU ensures local actions are aligned with broader European priorities for sustainable and inclusive cultural tourism.

Ivana Jurić from the Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board in Croatia explains that, in all EU co-funded projects, it is essential that they form part of a broader vision on which individual partners work in the long term.

“The EU recognises existing engagement, initiatives and products with a strong regional dimension and development potential — potential that would be far more difficult to realise without EU territorial cooperation programmes”, Jurić adds.

Partners involved in Romans Wine Danube are already preparing new project proposals with the aim of continuing their joint work on developing sustainable cultural tourism.

“The networks, research findings and tourism concepts developed within the project provide a solid foundation for future initiatives in the field of cultural heritage, the preservation and promotion of Roman and wine heritage along the Danube region, and cross-border storytelling”, says Mršek.

While some people travel physically along the route, those driven by curiosity can follow the project through its social media channels.

WiFi4WB officially launched in Albania from the Castle of Kruja

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

From vision to digital reality, the WiFi4WB initiative was officially launched in Albania at the iconic Castle of Krujë, marking the start of free public Wi-Fi deployment across all 61 municipalities in the country.

Implemented by GIZ under the EU4Digital project, and co-funded by the European Union and the German Government, the initiative will expand reliable and secure connectivity in public spaces across Albania.

Public squares, parks, libraries, schools and cultural heritage sites — including the Muzeu Historik dhe Etnografik, Krujë — will soon offer citizens and visitors free internet access, helping bridge the digital divide and strengthen local digital infrastructure.

A key moment of the launch event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between GIZ Albania and the Municipality of Kruja, formalising cooperation for the installation, operation and long-term maintenance of the network.

WiFi4WB is part of the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, reinforcing digital transformation as a driver of inclusion, opportunity and regional integration. By investing in accessible connectivity, the EU and its partners are bringing digital opportunities closer to citizens, from students and entrepreneurs to tourists and local communities.

 

The path towards a water resilient Europe

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA Blogs.

By Megi Marku Europe is the fastest warming continent and for many Europeans climate change is felt through water. Yet the water sector remains under-managed and under-governed, while water itself continues to be the most undervalued and under-priced resource. Last year, I led the production of the Youth Position Paper on Water Resilience Strategy along with WYPW and EYPW, to deliver what young people want to see on the pathway toward a water resilient Europe. Since then, the Commission has indicated an interest in engaging young people in the strategy’s implementation, and we look forward to working together to shape how this can evolve into meaningful action. Following the adoption of the European Water Resilience Strategy, I was invited by DG Environment to participate in the first ever Water Resilience Forum, where policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, and civil society gathered to share solutions and explore new possibilities through an inclusive dialogue addressing urban water challenges, digital transformation, and upskilling initiatives – all essential for building a water-secure Europe by 2050. The three pillars of strategy But what is the goal of the European Water Resilience Strategy? This strategy is built on three main pillars:
  • Restoring and protecting the water cycle: Focused on retaining more water in soils, forests, and wetlands while tackling pollution to ensure water quality.
  • Building a water smart economy: For an economy that grows sustainable and its water efficient, by reducing demand, promoting reuse, and increasing efficiency across sectors.
  • Ensuring clean affordable water for all: While recognizing water as a human right, raising awareness, supporting policies, and promoting resilience worldwide.
It includes over 30 actions, mostly aimed at governments, but with implications for sectors including agriculture, energy, and industry. You can check out the full strategy here. Partnerships and cooperation have taken a central role in the implementation of the EWRS, and it also reflected as the main theme and priority of this forum. It is indisputable that we need a multi-stakeholder approach to make sure we strengthen Europe’s water security agenda, that includes an imperative need to bring young people at the table to take part in today’s decisions that will shape their near future. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water has demonstrated that current water mismanagement will shrink global GDP by up to 15% by 2050 – a challenge my generation will inherit, and one we must confront together. Bridging the skills gap Among the six solution-oriented parallel sessions I followed the discussions focused on Upskilling (specifically on Water Academy) and Water Finance, two topics that closely resonate with me, especially as a young professional. The European Water Academy is a promising initiative aimed at strengthening the current work force through hands-on training and upskilling with further potential to engage young professionals more directly. A vision in bridging the generational skill gap is required, knowing that this sector is often described as an ‘aging’ one makes it even more fundamental to invest in the young professionals who are going to manage the very systems we are working on today. We can expect a more modern and innovative sector if we provide access to knowledge and cutting-edge solutions for young professionals, while at the same time supporting them as they build and scale their ideas. Having young people engaged, involved and leading ensures sustainability, and this is how we can strengthen Europes long-term water resilience. A new lens for finance During the forum, it was highlighted that we need to “look at the economy though a water lens, not look at water though an economic lens”. However, barriers such as unclear financial metrics for water risks, low bankability, fragmented projects and regulatory uncertainty are making it harder to secure investments for water projects. It is true that there has to be a fundamental shift in how water sector policies are managed and how water sector regulatory practices are adopted. This is why we need new and long term approaches to give private sector the security and confidence in coming in to invest in these projects. If we are serious about closing the yearly $1 trillion investment gap needed to meet the SDG6 targets by 2030, we must rethink how we evaluate water investments. Water projects approved today will determine water security for the next 50 to 100 years, yet we evaluate them on 10-15 year return. With young people on board, we can bring a new lens of intergenerational justice within these financial frameworks. The Water Resilience Forum created the space to establish a unified vision for water resilience in Europe by 2050, it showed that if we act boldly now, we can ensure that future generations will inherit security instead of scarcity. 2025 proved that water has always been about resilience; 2026 must show that resilience means action. Together with you, my generation is ready to lead that shift.

Online platform cuvaj.me – showing citizens that things can be done better

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in Stories.

The European Union strongly supports environmental protection and the active participation of citizens in this field. In Montenegro, this support has been extended to the cuvaj.me platform, which enables the reporting and monitoring of activities harmful to the environment. Through the platform, anyone can anonymously report pollution by uploading the location on the website and describing the problem. In this way, more than 300 incidents have been identified in less than a year.

“The national environmental protection campaign ‘Protect to Be Protected’ was launched on 5 June 2025, World Environment Day, with the financial and technical support of the European Union. Its main objective is to improve the environmental protection system through a combination of preventive and operational measures, strengthening institutional capacities and involving citizens. The EU-funded Čuvaj.me platform is one of the key operational tools”, representatives of the Europe House Bar explain.

Representatives of the platform say that public interest has been high. Citizens most frequently report illegal dumping sites, facilities, gravel extraction, watercourse pollution, improper waste management and illegal activities in protected areas. The platform’s operational team, led by the Let’s Green Montenegro initiative, forwards reports to the competent institutions and monitors the implementation of measures in line with established procedures. In the first months of the campaign, actions were carried out in Podgorica, Ulcinj, Nikšić, Kotor and other towns.

“In less than a year, we have received more than 320 reports, and around 200 cases have been resolved so far. The platform’s administrators verify citizens’ reports, forward the information to the competent institutions, monitor developments and, where necessary, send reminders. Citizens and institutions often have different views of the situation on the ground: institutions may believe the matter has been resolved, but our aim is to prevent the reported situation from recurring. For example, in the case of an illegal facility, it is not enough for an inspection simply to seal it; it must also ensure that it cannot be put back into operation. We in the civil society sector then monitor the situation on the ground to make sure the job has truly been completed”, explains Vuk Vujisić from the cuvaj.me platform.

Six young people trained by the Environmental Protection Agency are engaged on the platform. They are trained to understand cases, carry out preliminary assessments, submit reports to institutions and follow up on what happens next.

“We make an effort to monitor locations with the highest number of cases and to work with local communities. For example, we dealt with two large, organised illegal dumping sites where individuals charged for waste disposal, resulting in the creation of major environmental black spots. In such cases, we seek to put pressure on institutions to seal the sites and install cameras so that we can monitor what is happening. Through the campaign, we also try to encourage institutions to respond more promptly to citizens’ reports”, Vujisić says, stressing that “the essence lies not in the number of inspections, but in solving problems and achieving real changes on the ground”.

“It is not the same if someone photographs a few bags next to a container, or if someone reports the organised dumping of hazardous waste, or a site where 800 tonnes of tyres have been discarded, as in the case of Orjen — which also poses a security risk if the tyres catch fire”, Vujišić adds. He believes it is important that “citizens can see what has been done and the history of each case, and this is also important because journalists can follow everything”.

“We want citizens to see that something is genuinely changing and that change is possible. Wherever we have managed to achieve results, we have subsequently received even more reports. Citizens have taken on part of the responsibility — they report, put pressure on institutions… This gives us renewed hope that things really can change”, Vujisić concludes.

This campaign in Montenegro brings together state institutions, local authorities, civil society organisations, companies and citizens, thereby creating conditions for long-term solutions in the field of environmental protection and contributing to Montenegro’s fulfilment of its obligations on the path towards EU membership.

“A particular step forward is the establishment of a specialised unit to combat environmental crime within the Police Directorate, as well as the procurement of the first shredder for processing car tyres for the company Deponije DOO”, representatives of Europe House say. They add that preventive mechanisms will continue to be strengthened, along with the further involvement of schools and citizens.

In the coming period, priority will be given to reports where individual responsibility can be established. Plans also include the introduction of regular bi-monthly reminders to institutions that fail to act on reports, as well as the publication of monthly reports on institutional efficiency. Activists envisage that the Čuvaj.me platform will remain with institutions as a permanent tool through which citizens can report pollution cases. There are also plans to establish the website crnetacke.com, linked to cuvaj.me, which will cover the entire region.

EU and KfW boost alternative finance for vulnerable businesses

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

Today, the European Commission and KfW, the German development bank, announced the signature of a guarantee agreement worth up to €135 million to expand access to finance through alternative channels for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood, North Africa and the Middle East, and Türkiye. Supported by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the guarantee will focus on MSMEs that face the greatest barriers to finance. This may include innovative start-ups and businesses led by persons and groups in vulnerable situations and/or exposed to discrimination, such as women-led enterprises as these segments are likely to explore alternative financing options. Support will be channelled through the Scaling Alternative Finance for Entrepreneurs (SAFE) fund, which provides guarantees to alternative financial intermediaries including crowdfunding platforms, microfinance institutions, leasing companies and venture capital funds. By widening access to alternative sources of finance for underserved firms, the initiative aims to strengthen innovation, inclusiveness and competitiveness across the MSME ecosystem in the regions concerned. EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said: “We are increasing our support to startups and entrepreneurs in candidate countries, especially to companies run by women and those facing discrimination. To make sure that as our Union expands, no one is left on the margins.” EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica stated: “This agreement targets one of the key bottlenecks of small and medium enterprises financing, which is the provision of guarantee for banks and microfinance institutions to serve clients they normally would not work with.  This is an excellent way to support economic development and pursue the target of a more integrated Mediterranean region.” Christiane Laibach, member of the Executive Board of KfW Group said: “We are delighted to join forces with the European Union to support this initiative which represents a valuable addition to the financing landscape in the target region,” said Christiane Laibach, member of Executive Board of KfW Group. “The flexible guarantee approach allows alternative finance providers to share part of the risk and thus play a greater role in improving access to capital for MSMEs in the EU neighbourhood regions. This will tackle bottlenecks to private investment and generate new perspectives for growth.”

Background

The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) was established in June 2021 to support public and private sustainable investment in EU’s partner countries, and as a key tool of EU’s Global Gateway initiative. EFSD+ makes available grants and guarantees for investment projects through International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and has €39.8 billion in guarantee capacity globally for the period 2021 to 2027.