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Author: WeBalkans

EU launches €10-million project to strengthen healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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On 13 December, the EU Office in BiH announced a €10-million project to strengthen preventive and primary healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is part of the European Union’s ongoing support to the health sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will be implemented by Unicef, the World Health Organisation, and the World Bank.
 
Over the next four years, the EU Support to Health Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina project will focus on supporting reforms of primary healthcare and capacity building of the BiH health sector. It will also contribute to the development of policies to scale up child health services with a focus on childhood immunisation, early childhood development services, nutrition and mental health.
 
During the pandemic, the donor providing the largest amount of support to BiH has been the EU, giving more than €20 million for the procurement of high quality medical equipment, vaccines and cold chain equipment to store vaccines. The EU has also provided more than €75 million to support socioeconomic recovery in BiH from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of strengthening the BiH economy, ensuring retention of existing job and creating new ones.

EU strengthens capacity of BiH Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices with donation of IT equipment

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As part of the European Union’s ongoing support for healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU Office in BiH handed over IT equipment worth around €20,000 to the BiH Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices. For the Agency’s daily work, the European Union procured five PCs, 11 large monitors, two multi-function laser printer and nine laptops. This equipment will strengthen capacity in the Agency, which is responsible for providing high-quality and safe medical products and medical devices for human use and establishing a functional system for the regulation of medicinal products in line with international standards.

 

The donated equipment will enable easier insight into diagrams of complex laboratory analyses and large amounts of data, but also facilitate greater mobility of employees and business continuity in emergency conditions.

 

During the pandemic, the donor providing the largest amount of support to BiH has been the EU, giving more than €20 million for the procurement of high-quality medical equipment, vaccines and cold chain equipment to store vaccines. The EU has also provided more than €75 million for post-pandemic recovery.

Vice-President Pavlova pledges EIB Global support for the energy crisis at the EU Western Balkans Summit

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At the EU Western Balkans Summit held in Tirana, Albania, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Lilyana Pavlova pledged support to the region to cope with urgent short-term needs stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine. This support will come from EIB Global, the arm of the Bank focused on operations outside the European Union, in the form of new projects that it plans to finance in the region to deploy clean energy, expand electricity networks and storage infrastructure, and help the private sector implement energy efficiency measures. She confirmed that the Bank is fully aligned with the €1 billion energy support package announced by the European Commission and plans to play a key role in its implementation.  
In addition to support in the energy field, the EU bank will enhance its comprehensive mix of lending, blending and advisory services and deploy more experts on the ground to support connectivity, the green and digital transition, education and healthcare. Promoting the growth, digitalisation and decarbonisation of the private sector will also be a priority for the Bank. As part of this, the European Investment Fund (EIF), a subsidiary of the EIB Group, has launched the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF) Guarantee 4 SME Resilience, which aims to respond to the economic difficulties by increasing access to finance for some 4 000 small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.

EU to provide additional €10 million in support for Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces

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The Council of the European Union adopted an assistance measure worth €10 million that will support the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH). This decision is part of the EU’s work to further strengthen its security engagement with its Western Balkan partners and builds on previous EU support for the AFBiH, notably through a previous assistance measure announced in November 2021 worth €10 million for the demining battalion of the AFBiH, an assistance measure worth €6 million announced in June 2022 for the benefit of the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF) and the continuous support for EUFOR Althea for the BiH Armed forces, including through training.  
The new assistance measure will finance field equipment, key tools for military engineering and material to protect against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. This assistance was requested by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2022. Through the provision of appropriate equipment, the assistance measure will strengthen the capacities of the tactical support brigade and the AFBiH as a whole.  
The new assistance measure was adopted under the European Peace Facility (EPF). The EPF was established in March 2021 as a tool to expand the EU’s ability to provide security for its citizens and its partners. It enables the EU to provide all types of equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of EU partners, in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The new assistance measure was adopted in response to a request made by the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2022.

The Regional Housing Programme celebrates the delivery of its 10 000 home in the Western Balkans

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The Regional Housing Programme (RHP) celebrated a landmark moment on 30 November, with the delivery of its 10 000th home for most-vulnerable refugees and displaced persons in the Western Balkans region. The occasion was marked during a ceremony to deliver keys to 40 newly-built RHP apartments to refugee families in Vršac, Serbia. In total, the RHP aims to deliver 11 400 homes across the four Partner Countries of the RHP – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia – by mid-2023.

 

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the delivery of keys ceremony was attended by Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia; Holger Schröder, Head of Unit, Western Balkans Regional Programmes and the Economic Investment Plan at DG NEAR and other national and international representatives.

On behalf of the European Union – the main Donor to the RHP – Mr. Holger Schröder congratulated the families on their new homes, and reflected on the importance of the RHP both for the region and the EU. ” The Regional Housing Programme symbolises EU solidarity towards vulnerable families who left their lives behind, “he said. 

 

The visit by RHP stakeholders to Vršac followed a meeting of the RHP Assembly of Donors that morning, and preceded a RHP Steering Committee meeting in Belgrade on 30 November, hosted by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, chaired by the European Union, and co-chaired by Switzerland, another key Donor to the Programme.

MADE OF US: An incredible adventure is about to begin in spring 2023

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WeBalkans are proud to launch a call for applications addressed to young vloggers from the Western Balkans who want to become part of the “Made of Us” road-trip through the Western Balkans. This adventure is due to take place in spring 2023. We invite all talented vloggers from the Western Balkans, aged 21 to 30, to apply through the dedicated portal WeBalkans.eu.

 

The selected vloggers will visit EU-supported projects and meet interesting and inspiring personalities, while also showcasing the natural scenery, extraordinary landmarks and unique cultural heritage that the Western Balkans have to offer. The selected travellers will record their experiences using their own equipment and translate the journey into high-quality social media and web content, photos and videos, which will be disseminated through their own and the WeBalkans channels.

 

The journey will be even more exiting as the six winners from the Western Balkans will not travel alone. In early 2023, they will be joined by six young creators from the EU to travel together and collaborate on all the content production. These six EU-Western Balkans travel pairs will have the chance to explore the best of the Western Balkans, telling the rest of the world about it in their own words in April-May 2023!

 

We invite all those interested to visit our website webalkans.eu for more information about the selection process, including the terms and conditions of participation. The application phase starts on 7 December and will be open until 7 January 2023. “Made of Us” is the third regional awareness campaign rolled out by WeBalkans, a project funded by the European Union.

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana reaffirms the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and EU’s strategic partnership with the region

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Today, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council, Charles Michel, High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, as well as Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States and Western Balkan partners participated in the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana. The organisation of the Summit for the first time in the region is a clear sign of the EU’s strong commitment to the Western Balkans and their path towards the EU.

 

The EU leaders reaffirmed the full and unequivocal commitment to the European Union membership perspective of the Western Balkans. They called for the acceleration of the accession process based upon credible reforms by partners, fair and rigorous conditionality, and the principle of own merits.

 

Russia’s escalating war of aggression against Ukraine puts European and global peace and security at risk. It underscores the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans region.

 

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “This Summit, held for the first time in a Western Balkan country, gives a clear message about our engagement, our unity, and our strong partnership. The EU is more committed than ever to a common future, with our Western Balkans partners inside the EU. And we are taking every opportunity to bring our regions and our people closer together. From addressing jointly the energy crisis to opening more opportunities for citizens and business alike, including by lowering roaming charges. This is a great achievement.”

 

The Summit was furthermore an opportunity to review progress in the implementation of the nearly €30 billion Economic and Investment Plan focused on flagship projects in green and digital transition, sustainable transport, clean energy, support to the private sector, and human capital development to help bridge the socioeconomic gap between the Western Balkans and the EU. The EU has so far adopted financing for 40 flagship projects in transport, connectivity, energy transition, green agenda, digital transition, and human capital development, with €1.8 billion EU support and a total investment value of €5.7 billion.

 

This includes 12 investment projects adopted on 5 December, of which 6 projects in the energy sector have been accelerated thanks to the €1 billion energy support package, composed of two pillars:

  -€500 million in immediate support for all Western Balkan partners to cushion the increase of energy prices to businesses and vulnerable households, which has been approved and will be ready for disbursement in early 2023.   -€500 million in short and medium term support via the Western Balkans Investment Framework to advance the energy transition and energy security. The package covers the replenishment of the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for energy-efficient renovation of private and public buildings, six new investment grants for renewable energy sources, three grant schemes for private sector energy transition and a series of guarantees to support renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is expected to mobilise up to €2.5 billion in total investments in cooperation with international financial institutions.  

The leaders also witnessed the signing of a declaration of representatives of telecommunication operators from the EU and the Western Balkans on the first voluntary lowering of roaming charges between the region and the EU starting in October 2023. The European Commission and the Regional Cooperation Council facilitated the negotiations of the agreement and decisions on further reductions are expected in May 2023.

   

Finally, the Summit was an opportunity to discuss and deepen EU cooperation with the region in migration management, cybersecurity, education and youth. The Commission has recently approved €70 million in funding to help improve border management capabilities and step up the fight against the smuggling of migrants and the trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans. The EU is also enhancing its assistance and cooperation with the Western Balkans to strengthen cyber resilience following a series of large-scale cyber-attacks in the region, including through a new €5 million programme for the entire region set to start in early 2023. The Western Balkans’ universities will also be included in the European Universities initiative under Erasmus+ on equal footing with EU Member States, to create further opportunities for young people.

Significant reduction of data roaming prices between Western Balkans and EU to start as of 1 October 2023

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At the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Tirana today, the telecommunications operators from the European Union (EU) and the Western Balkans signed a Roaming Declaration enabling the reduction of the roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans as of 1 October 2023.

 

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, said:

 

“I welcome the declaration signed today by the EU and Western Balkans telecom operators and their commitment to start the first reductions in October 2023. 

 

Digital transition for the EU and its partners is at the forefront of our Connectivity agenda. Making mobile telecommunication services affordable and accessible is fundamental to this transition. As we are reducing roaming charges between the EU and the region, we bring people and businesses closer together. Our objective is that when you visit us or when we visit you, we all feel more and more at home.  This is the real integration of the Western Balkans we should all work for.”

 

This is the start of the process aiming to achieve a substantial reduction of roaming charges for data on 1 October 2023 and further reductions leading to prices close to the domestic prices. Every Western Balkan and EU telecommunications operator, signatory of the Declaration, will consider introducing retail rate plans and options, with lower charges for their roaming users in other mobile networks with the first significant reduction of data roaming prices as of 1 October 2023.

 

It is important that policy-makers in the Western Balkans accelerate the implementation of policy reforms in the telecom sector, which are in line with the conclusions of the Western Balkans Digital Summit 2022, with the aim of creating a Common Regional Market of the Western Balkans and a more conducive business environment. Western Balkan economies should implement these policy reforms no later than the end of 2023.

 

Building on the success of the Roam Like at Home regimes in both the EU and the Western Balkans, the purpose of this endeavor is to support mobility and simplify connectivity of citizens and businesses of the EU and Western Balkans.

 

The benefits are manifold. This will reduce cost of roaming for citizens in all of the Western Balkans and the EU while travelling in the region and EU as well as lower business operating costs and encourage doing business outside of their own borders. This initiative is remarkable, especially since it has been done on voluntary basis between telecommunications operators.

 

This Declaration is the result of the strong engagement of the EU and Western Balkans telecommunications operators and the support of the European Commission, Regional Cooperation Council, as well as region’s authorities commitment since the entry into force of the Western Balkans Regional Roaming Agreement. Other telecommunication operators both from the EU and the Western Balkans are invited to join the initiative.

New European Bauhaus: applications for the 2023 Prizes open to the Western Balkans

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Starting today, the Commission is opening applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023. Following the successful last two editions that received over 3,000 entries from all EU Member States, the 2023 competition will reward 15 exemplary initiatives linking sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusiveness – the three core values of the New European Bauhaus.

 

In the context of the European Year of Skills, this year’s edition will have a strand focussing on education and learning. For the first time, we will also welcome applications for projects and concepts in the Western Balkans. As last year, there will be specific prizes for people below 30 years of age. The call is open until 31 January 2023 at 19:00 CET.

 

The 2023 Prizes will reward existing projects as well as concepts developed by young talents under four categories:

 

-Reconnecting with nature

-Regaining a sense of belonging

-Prioritising the places and people that need it the most

-The need for long-term, life-cycle thinking in the industrial ecosystem

 

In each category, applicants can choose between three parallel competition strands:

 

-Strand A: “New European Bauhaus Champions”, devoted to existing and completed projects with clear and positive results.

 

-Strand B: “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars” dedicated to concepts submitted by young talents aged 30 or less. The concepts can be at different stages of development, from ideas with a clear plan to the prototype level.

 

-Strand C: “New European Bauhaus Education Champions” devoted to initiatives focusing on education and learning. Both completed projects, as well as initiatives with a minimum level of maturity, are eligible.

 

The 2023 Prizes will be awarded to 15 winners who will receive prize money of up to €30,000, as well as a communications package to help them further develop and promote their projects and concepts.

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana to reconfirm the EU’s strategic bond with accession partners

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On Tuesday 6 December, the EU and the Western Balkans leaders will hold a Summit in Tirana, hosted by Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, and chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. The European Commission will be represented by its President, Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative/Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.  
The Summit is taking place in the Western Balkans for the first time, as a clear sign of the EU’s commitment to the strategic partnership with the region and its EU membership perspective. Discussions will focus on addressing jointly the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in particular in the energy sector. The Commission will report on the implementation of the almost €30 billion Economic and Investment Plan to help spur the long term recovery of the region. Furthermore, the Commission will inform about the €1 billion Energy Support Package for the entire Western Balkans presented by President von der Leyen in November to help vulnerable households and medium and small sized enterprises cushion the high energy prices and advance key infrastructure investments to diversify energy supplies, boost renewable production and energy efficiency.  
Ahead of the Summit, the leaders will witness the signing of a declaration between representatives of telecom operators from the Western Balkans and the EU on the first voluntary lowering of roaming charges, starting in October 2023, between the region and the EU.