03-10-2024
Updated WBIF factsheets now available
Autumn brings the updated WBIF factsheets, including the latest figures and project examples.
Digital infrastructure was incorporated as a standalone sector of the WBIF in December 2017, as a response to the adoption of the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP-REA). In December 2019, the WBIF ex- tended its area of assistance to the interconnection of administration, research and education networks and high-performance computing. The new sector was developed in line with the European Commission’s policies and strategies, the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, the South-East Europe 2020 strategy, as well as the infrastructure needs, as identified in the Single Project Pipeline.
03-10-2024
Autumn brings the updated WBIF factsheets, including the latest figures and project examples.
15-04-2024
Overviews by WBIF sector, transport corridor and bilateral donor-funded projects are now available.
24-04-2023
On 24th March 2023 the kick-off meeting for the Technical Assistance (TA) project for the Montenegro Broadband...
Digitalisation represents an opportunity for the economies and societies in the region, with digital solutions contributing to a sustainable, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy, and better governance and public services to the citizens. Digital services represent an increasing share of exports from the Western Balkans. With the support of the EU and the Regional Cooperation Council, since 2018 the Western Balkans are implementing a Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans.
The Western Balkans should take stock of implementation to date, identify where work needs to be accelerated as well as broaden the scope and ambition of the region’s digital transformation. Support provided in particular for digital skills development, e-government, e-procurement and e-health services would make public authorities more transparent and accountable, reduce costs and improve service delivery for citizens and businesses, while also addressing the social dimension.
In the digital field, the Plan foresees the investment Flagship 8 - Digital Infrastructure.
Read MoreMobile phone service providers abolished roaming charges for their clients across the region in July 2021.
The EU provides support for digital skills development, e-government, e-procurement and e-health services.
Support to digital start-ups and scale ups and to digital skills, through actions such as the Digital Education Action Plan.
Link the region to the cutting-edge world of digital research and innovation (SELFIE19, HEInnovate20, Digital Education Hackathon, EU Code Week, GEANT network).
Further improve access to digital goods and services, create a level playing field and maximise the growth potential.
Support to capacity building in the region, based on a needs assessment to be conducted in 2021.
2023 - 2030
DIGITAL AGENDA FOR THE WESTERN BALKANSAt the Digital Assembly in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2018, the European Commission has launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans. This aims to support the transition of the region into a digital economy and bring the benefits of the digital transformation, such as faster economic growth, more jobs, and better services. The agenda identifies 5 main priorities: Lowering the cost of roaming; Deployment of broadband; Strengthening the digital economy and society; Capacity building in digital trust and security, digitalisation of industries and Adoption, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis. Work is done in close cooperation with the governments in the region and with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
07-10-2024
Updated WBIF Sector factsheets now available in Library
22-07-2024
Flagship investments endorsed under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, July 2024.
