WBIF at WeBalkans Creative Hub in Belgrade
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) was featured at the first WeBalkans Creative Hub on 29 April 2026, bringing together EU representatives, civil society and media to highlight concrete opportunities for the region's private sector, green transition and sustainable growth. WeBalkans is the EU's regional communication programme and online portal showcasing EU support, opportunities and success stories across the Western Balkans.
Hosted at Lozionica in Belgrade under the slogan "EU with YOU", the Day 1 opening on Economic Development set the scene for discussions on how EU-supported initiatives can translate into real benefits for people and businesses across the Western Balkans. The session opened with remarks by Plamena Halacheva (EU Delegation to Serbia), Marie Brancaleone (DG ENEST), Raluca Costache (WeBalkans Team Leader) and Selena Tasic (WeBalkans Public Diplomacy Manager).
The keynote address by Oskar Marko, Head of the Serbia BioSense Institute, focused on turning EU opportunities into success stories—a theme echoed throughout the programme's parallel workshops. In the WBIF-focused workshop, Benedykt Klimowski (DG Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood) presented how WBIF supports the region through blended finance and technical assistance, stating plainly: "When your local bank offers you a better deal, there is EU support behind it."
Success stories shared by speakers from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the region followed, including Lena Radosavljević from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), who presented Mind Park, Serbia, part of the WBIF-supported Eco-Industrial Parks project. Also presenting were:
- Tina Mihajlović — Solarise Technologies, Serbia
- Valentina Radulović — Science and Technology Park, Montenegro
- Edina Hadžić — Sugar on Top, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Aleksandar Stojkov — Finance in Motion, Western Balkans
Speakers and participants exchanged practical perspectives on access to finance - including financial instruments, investment grants, technical assistance and guarantees - with a focus on jobs, competitiveness, the green transition and sustainable private sector development.
WBIF communication materials were showcased at a dedicated stand, including QR cards linking to financing programmes and a private sector booklet, while a WBIF programme slideshow ran throughout the session.
A second thematic exchange on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans brought together representatives of all six EU Delegations in the region with civil society and media to discuss how to communicate tangible results for citizens, highlighting initiatives such as Roam Like at Home, WiFi4WB and SEPA. Organisers announced that two additional Creative Hubs are planned in the coming months, with the next event scheduled to take place in Tirana, Albania.
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About WBIF and Global Gateway
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) contributes directly to Global Gateway, the EU's strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport, while strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion worldwide in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and financial institutions to leverage investments for a transformational impact.