WBIF/ WESTERN BALKANS INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK GRANTS

Background

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) supports socio-economic development and EU accession across the Western Balkans through the provision of finance and technical assistance for strategic investments, particularly in infrastructure, energy efficiency and private sector development. It is a joint initiative of the EU, International Financial institutions, bilateral donors and the governments of the Western Balkans. The WBIF focuses on key sectors of the Western Balkan economies including energy, environment, transport, social issues and private sector development. The WBIF provides grants and loans to support investments in infrastructure or specialised financial assistance programmes. Grants can be for:
  - Technical assistance to prepare infrastructure investments (e.g. to carry out a feasibility study etc.). To date, most of the grants approved
    have been of this type
  - Technical assistance to overcome specific obstacles that are delaying the preparation or implementation (e.g. construction) of a priority
    investment project. However, it must be noted in order to consider and justify WBIF support for faltering projects there must be a thorough
    analysis of the causes of blockages accompanied by a clear and logical use of grant support that will lead to progress.
  - Technical assistance to undertake research and analysis to facilitate the development of investments in a particular sector or sub-sector
  - Technical assistance to support policy reforms and institution building required to improve the investment climate
  - Capital expenditure. For very particular cases where a funding gap is clearly identified
  - Incentive payments for financial intermediaries. For example with provision of SME financing
  - Interest rate subsidies. The cost of borrowing may be reduced where the need is justified; this is a facility provided by particular
    IFIs,notably the CEB
  - Insurance premia. Funding of insurance premia necessary to implement a project

Eligibility

Public entities at central or local government level and/or agencies and companies responsible for the provision of public utilities and services from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.

Budget

Not stated


Deadline: 19 September 2013

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