EBRD and EIB’s Gjilan Wastewater Project in Kosovo Receives €2.5 Million Grant from WBIF

EBRD and EIB’s Gjilan Wastewater Project in Kosovo Receives €2.5 Million Grant from WBIF

(IN BRIEF) The Gjilan wastewater development project in Kosovo, co-financed by the EBRD and EIB, has received a €2.5 million grant from bilateral donors through the WBIF. The funds will be used for constructing a wastewater treatment plant and extending the sewerage network in Gjilan. The project aims to reduce pollution, improve water quality, and enhance environmental conditions. The EBRD and EU have previously supported another wastewater treatment plant in Kosovo. The WBIF supports strategic investments for socio-economic development and EU accession in the Western Balkans. The EBRD has invested €601 million in Kosovo since 2012, focusing on promoting the green economy and private sector development.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 2-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a multilateral developmental investment bank, is proud to announce additional financial support for the Gjilan wastewater development project in Kosovo. The project, co-financed by the EBRD and the European Investment Bank (EIB), has secured funds from bilateral donors through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

A signing ceremony was held in Pristina, where Sergiy Maslichenko, EBRD Head of Kosovo, and Hekuran Murati, Kosovan Minister of Finance, Labour, and Transfers, formalized the agreement. The event was attended by Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Office in Kosovo, and representatives from the regional water company, Hidromorava.

The additional funding of €2.5 million will be allocated to the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and the rehabilitation and extension of the existing wastewater and sewerage network in Gjilan municipality. The EBRD had previously provided a €10 million loan for the project in 2019, and the EIB is extending an additional €10 million loan.

Once completed, the new treatment plant will play a crucial role in reducing pollution caused by wastewater discharge into nearby rivers, ensuring Gjilan residents have access to cleaner water. The project will contribute to improving environmental conditions, public health, and mitigating the impact of climate change on Kosovo’s water and wastewater sector.

Kosovan rivers have faced deteriorating water quality in recent years due to insufficient wastewater and solid-waste treatment. The EBRD is committed to addressing these challenges and supporting investments in modern environmental infrastructure. The Gjilan wastewater project marks the second collaboration between the EBRD and the EU to construct a wastewater treatment plant in Kosovo, with the other being developed in South Mitrovica, Vushtrri, and the surrounding areas.

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), a joint initiative of the European Union, financial institutions, bilateral donors, and the governments of the Western Balkans, plays a vital role in supporting socio-economic development and EU accession in the region by providing financial assistance and technical support for strategic investments.

Since its establishment in 2012, the EBRD has invested €601 million in Kosovo. The bank’s strategic priorities in the country include promoting the green economy, supporting private sector development, and fostering regional integration. The EBRD remains committed to driving sustainable and inclusive growth in Kosovo.

Media contact:

Tel: +44 207 338 7805
Email: press@ebrd.com

SOURCE: EBRD