10-06-2026
Elisabeth Gruber, Director of the Department
for International Financial
InstitutionsAustrian Federal Ministry of Finance
"Bilateral Donors remain committed to the Western Balkans’ European path. Our priority is to turn renewed
enlargement momentum into reforms and quality investments that deliver visible benefits. Through the
WBIF, we will keep mobilising resources, improving
project delivery and supporting sustainable development across the region, with a practical focus on results and strong partnership."
WBIF Bilateral Donors provide financial support to the European Western Balkans Joint Fund, enabling small-scale yet high-impact projects that drive a sustainable and green transition in the Western Balkans. They are actively involved in the WBIF governance and operations to ensure concerted and coordinated efforts. Reinforcing joint decision-making, one Bilateral Donor country co-chairs the WBIF’s Strategic and Operational Boards on a rotating basis.
Total:
€147 m
Active Bilateral Donors
Austria
Croatia
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Former Bilateral Donors
Czech Republic
Finland
Greece
United Kingdom
Transfer from EBRD Fund
Altogether, the Bilateral Donors have allocated €69 million through twenty investment grants that co-finance 21 projects with an estimated investment value of €520 million in the environment, clean energy and social sectors. These grants help finance infrastructure projects with a high impact on people’s lives, from healthcare and education facilities to public infrastructure for clean water, sanitation and renewable energy generation. Through these investments, the funding made available by the WBIF actively promotes social cohesion and protects the environment across the region.
The new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 of the European Union aims at ensuring improved coherence and overall donor coordination between the EU and the Western Balkans.
In line with the strategic orientation of the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the IPA III Regulation envisages a new governance for WBIF, whereby the EU Member States become full members of the WBIF’s novel governing bodies, the Strategic and Operational Boards (including Norway).
Under the updated WBIF governance the status of 'Bilateral Donor' thus remains a privileged position in WBIF and is granted by the Operational Board to the EU Member States and Norway which directly contribute to the Joint Fund. The Bilateral Donors are also members of the Project Financiers’ Group (PFG) and take part in the decision-making process on the allocation of their pledged funds in the Project Financiers’ Group and the Assembly of Contributors.
