At the ADRIA Summit 2025 in Montenegro, today the European Union announced a Call for Expressions of Interest to mobilise private investments in the Western Balkans aiming to support the region’s economic growth and integration into the EU Single Market. Businesses from the EU, EEA and the Western Balkans are invited to submit proposals for investment projects, with a deadline of 21 May 2025.
The European Commission will review proposals and aim to support the most suitable projects with its available policy, technical, or financial instruments. The objective is to boost private investment in infrastructure development, economic diversification, the green and digital twin transition, and EU value chain integration, with a view to creating jobs and bridging the economic convergence gap with the EU in line with the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Commissioner for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Marta Kos said: “We are not just talking about investment, we are talking about transformation. We are looking for innovative, game-changing projects that will propel the Western Balkans forward and strengthen its connections with the EU. I invite private companies to seize the opportunity and join us on this journey, to invest, to innovate, and to shape the region’s future.”
The priority areas of the Call – based on the strategic priorities of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and of the Western Balkans Investment Framework – are as follows:
– Green Transition
– Integration into the EU industrial supply chains/manufacturing
– Critical Raw Materials
– Sustainable Transport
– Digital transition
– Sustainable tourism
– Human Capital Development
– Impact finance
To be eligible, investment projects must meet a minimum threshold of €10 million, with a minimum required equity/own resources participation of 15% of the total value of the investment project. Further information on the purpose of the call, the eligibility and assessment criteria and other details on how to apply can be found in the call for expressions.