The IFI Advisory Group

The IFI Advisory Group (IFI AG) was established in 2007, as a unique forum where the European Commission, IFIs and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) have come together and discussed matters of policy coordination and strategy in the Western Balkans. Its mandate has covered key infrastructure sectors such as transport, energy and environment and it has also looked at socio-economic issues. Its deliberations therefore are highly relevant for the WBIF

IFI AG members include the EC, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, the CEB, EBRD, EIB, KfW and the World Bank Group as well as the RCC.

The Group can meet as necessary to discuss sectoral and cross cross-cutting issues. To date, meetings have been held on transport, energy, environment and socio-economic issues. The EC’s DG Enlargement leads the initiative and senior EC officials chair all meetings.

The IFI Coordination Office

The IFI Coordination Office was established in February 2010 under the EC-financed project “Support to IFI Coordination in the Western Balkans and Turkey”. It focuses on coordination, cooperation and communication between IFIs, EC, bilateral donors and beneficiary countries across four key sectors – energy, environment, transport and socio-economic issues.

The Office undertakes a number of activities including:

• research and analysis

• preparation of thematic reports

• synthesising of external reports/studies

• secretariat services for IFI Advisory Group meetings

• contribution to strategy and policy discussions under the Western Balkan Investment Framework

• preparation of information/promotional events involving beneficiary countries

• contribution to activities undertaken by sectoral organisations e.g. SEETO, Energy Community, Regional Environmental Network for Accession etc.

• development and maintenance of a database on investment flows into the Western Balkans in the four key sectors

• development and maintenance of the information website on the WBIF and wider EC and IFI activities in the region

The project “Support to IFI Coordination in the Western Balkans and Turkey” is being implemented by PM Group in association with the Belgian Bankers Academy, Pi Consulting and Sofreco.