EU funding for Balkan 2014-2020

The EU promises 11 billion EU for the next 7 years in the enlargement countries, including Balkan and Turkey. 649.5 million EUR will be used for Albania.

A similar amount of money will go to Macedonia and Kosovo, 664.2 and 645.5 million EUR. Montenegro will have 270.5 million EUR, while Serbia will receive 1.5 billion. Turkey stays on top of the list with 4.5 billion EUR.

The Commission says that the rules for IPA II have become easier, in order to guarantee flexibility and orientation based on the results and specific needs of each country.

The EU funds for Albanian will have 62 conditions. This data is based on INSTAT, EUROSTAT, World Bank and the annual reports of the Commission.

Half of the EU funds will be used for reforms in the rule of law, basic rights, democracy and good governing. This sector is the main element of the help coming from Brussels during 2014, specifically 78.7 million EUR from the total of 83.7 EUR that are given for this year.

The 5 million USD difference serves for social policies, employment and education. This category will receive 69 million EUR by 2020, which is the lowest.

Agriculture and rural development will have 92 million EUR for the next seven years. In 2015 will be given the first 9 million EUR. Regional and social-economic development is the second biggest fund, with 168 million EUR, 18 of which will be given for the next year.

This sector includes environment, transportation, energy, competition and innovation, but there will be no funds for the energy sector, although the Commission’s document recognizes the need for investment in transportation, energy and infrastructure, especially for water and waste management, which are considered in an initial phase.

Insufficient financial and human resources are the core of the analysis made by the Commission for the risk of achieving objectives in every sector. It also mentions the property issue, corruption, the judiciary, informality, high-level of politicization, and macro-economic situations in our country and in the region.

The EU offered 532.4 million EUR from 2007 to 2013 with IPA I, 75 million EUR of which were used for reforming the public administration, the statistics, public procurement, tax and customs offices. 86.5 million EUR for the judiciary and the basic rights. 26.5 million EUR for reinforcing the capacities of the state police in the fight against organized crime and money laundering. 126 million EUR for the environment and the climatic changes, 91 million EUR for road infrastructure, 13.4 million EUR for the competition and innovation, 24 million EUR for education, employment and social policies, and 90 million EUR for agriculture and rural development.

The funds will be given as a technical aid, by offering equipments and investments, including those through financial instruments, appeals for propositions or direct grants to the respective national authorities, such as budget support to sectors that meet the requirements and as co-financing with other international institutions.

Prepared by: Arta TOZAJ

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