The WBIF in Serbia

Estimated Project Value: €5.4 billion 

WBIF Grants: €210.7 million, out of which €184.9 million from the EU and €25.8 million from other donors 

Loans Signed: €2.4 billion 

The WBIF has supported thirty-nine projects with an overall estimated value of €5.4 billion across eligible sectors. The WBIF has provided €210.7 million in grants, whereas the loans signed on WBIF-supported have reached €2.4 billion. The EU support channelled through the WBIF accounts for €184.9 million and covers both technical assistance and investment works.

The WBIF has helped prepare and implement essential infrastructure developments across all eligible sectors. It has successfully piloted research, development and innovation as well as start-up incubator facilities alongside retrofitting of schools. Social housing and judiciary facilities as well as key infrastructure developments that would ensure proper access to municipal services (water, wastewater, and district heating) have also been planned for and are currently being built/are in operation. Moreover, electricity and gas transmission options have been reviewed, with WBIF technical assistance, while transport routes by road and rail have been designed for expansion and/or improvement. Urban transport assignments in Belgrade are currently ongoing, with a view to increasing public transport capacities and reducing its carbon footprint, and broadband infrastructure investments in rural areas throughout the country are being prepared.

Achieved results (selection):

• 122 km of motorways;
• Water/wastewater systems for 780,000 people;
• Flood forecasting and warning  system for 1.8 million people living in the Sava River Basin
• District heating systems upgraded in 21 cities and towns;
• Five new higher education and research facilities;
• Two new judiciary facilities and one prison facility in line with European standards for 500 detainees.

Expected results (selection):

• 70 km of new high-speed roads and 220 km of railway lines rehabilitated;
• Enhanced urban mobility for 1.3 million people in Belgrade;
• 370 km of electricity transmission lines upgraded and secure power supply;
• Water/wastewater systems for 1.6 million people;
• Healthcare treatment facilities for 1.3 million people;
• New prison facility in line with European standards for 400 detainees.

Out of the thirty-nine projects supported, two have been completed, seventeen are being implemented, one is tendering for works to start construction and nineteen are at various stages of preparation. In addition, Serbia has benefited from regional projects and initiatives funded by the WBIF, such as the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme for the Western Balkans (REEP and REEP Plus) and the Western Balkan Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (EDIF).

For more details on the current status of the WBIF operations in Serbia, please visit our Projects page.

2016 Connectivity Project

Orient/East-Med Corridor: Serbia – Bulgaria CXc Rail Interconnection, Sicevo - Dimitrovgrad Section, (c) EU. 80 km of railway track upgraded, including preparatory works for electrification and signalling and telecommunication systems.

€84.4 million investment value

€43.6 million EU grant

€36.7 million EIB loan

For more details, please see the Project Summary (last updated July 2018).