EU starts EUR 61.8 million pre-financing for Kosovo under the Growth Plan

Following the ratification of the Growth Plan-related Agreements by the Kosovo Assembly and the submission of the necessary documentation by the Government, the European Commission has started transferring EUR 61.8 million to Kosovo in pre-financing under the Growth Plan’s Reform and Growth Facility, providing an important incentive to advance reforms. The pre-financing represents 7% of the total EUR 882.6 million in grants and favourable loans available to Kosovo under the Growth Plan until the end of 2027. The funds will support the implementation of Kosovo’s Reform Agenda and key infrastructure projects under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), bringing Kosovo closer to the EU. Out of the EUR 61.8 million, a EUR 28.74 million in loans has been transferred today to Kosovo’s budget, while the remaining amount — EUR 33.04 million (17.73 in grants and 15.31 million in loans) — will be channelled through the WBIF. In its Reform Agenda — the basis for the allocation of EU Growth Plan funds — Kosovo has committed to implementing 111 reform steps, covering key areas such as the rule of law, governance, economic development, the green and digital transitions, and human capital. Each reform step is linked to a specific financial allocation. Payments under the Growth Plan will be made progressively as Kosovo implements the agreed reforms. If certain reform steps are not completed by the set deadlines, the corresponding funds will not be disbursed. A first final deadline lies ahead for 13 reform steps, collectively valued at EUR 90.8 million, which are due by 30 June 2026. Moreover, the end of this year marks the final deadline for another 27 reform steps, valued at EUR 165.9 million. “The European Union stands by Kosovo on its EU integration path. The Growth Plan offers a concrete opportunity to accelerate EU-related reforms and bring Kosovo’s economy closer to the EU’s single market. Through this support, the EU aims to help Kosovo strengthen the rule of law, advance its green and digital transitions, and foster sustainable economic growth,” said Acting Head of the EU in Kosovo Eva Palatova. “Kosovo is committed to the timely implementation of the Reform Agenda and to making full use of the opportunities offered by the Growth Plan. While some time has been lost, we will do our best to accelerate reforms and deliver on our commitments. This is a demanding task, but an achievable one,” said Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The European Union is Kosovo’s largest provider of financial assistance and most reliable partner, with more than EUR 3.7 billion in grants invested across sectors since 1999, and an additional EUR 421 million in IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) grants currently available to Kosovo. On top of this, through the Growth Plan, the EU continues to support Kosovo’s reform efforts and its progress on the path toward European integration. For more information on Kosovo’s 111 reform steps and payments made through the EU’s Growth Plan, please see the Reform and Growth Facility Scoreboard.