On 16 October 2025, the European Commission published the second implementing decision for the release of funds to Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, part of the broader Growth Plan.
The Commission’s decisions are based on evaluations of compliance with political preconditions, macro-financial stability, and specific reform commitments outlined in each country’s Reform Agenda. The release follows positive assessments of reform progress and macroeconomic conditions in the three countries, and partial implementation of specific reform steps under the Reform Agendas.
The Commission’s implementing decision approving release of funds to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans is avaliable here.
Albania
The European Commission found that 21 out of the 41 payment conditions related to the reform steps as set in its request and in its Reform Agenda are fulfilled by Albania. With that, the country will receive its first release of €99,323,541.9 net (post-pre-financing clearance): € 28,504,617.19 in non-repayable grants and € 70,818,924.71 in loans, with 34.75% (€ 24,609,576.34) allocated to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). This disbursement comes in recognition of Albania’s progress on key governance and economic reforms, including public administration reform, judicial efficiency, and digitalisation of public services. Specific projects under WBIF will focus on enhancing sustainable transport networks and clean energy initiatives.
The Assessment of the Conditions for Payments is available here.
Montenegro
The European Commission found that 5 out of 18 payment conditions related to the reform steps as set out in its second request for disbursement are fulfilled by Montenegro with a deadline due June 2025. In total, Montenegro fulfilled 12 reform steps so far. With that, the country will receive its second release of funds of € 8,083,884.46 net (post-pre-financing clearance): € 2,319,973.97 in non-repayable grants and € 5,763,910.49 in loans, with 34.75% (€ 2,002,958.90) allocated to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
This release follows the country’s successful implementation of reforms in public sector transparency, digital transition, and energy efficiency. Notably, Montenegro has improved the accessibility of data on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and adopted several key laws aligned with EU directives, such as the Law on Information Security in line with the NIS2 directive.
The Assessment of the Conditions for Payments is available here.
North Macedonia
The European Commission found that 4 of of 16 payment conditions with a deadline due June 2025 are fulfilled by North Macedonia, or in total 6 out of 21 for both semesters. With that, the country will receive its second disbursement of €15,929,721.7 net (post-pre-financing clearance): € 4,571,631.37 in non-repayable grants and € 11,358,090.36 in loans, with 34.75% (€ 3,946,936.40 ) allocated to the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The country demonstrated progress in corporate governance, internal financial controls, and justice sector reforms, although key challenges remain, particularly in the fight against high-level corruption and political interference in the judiciary.
The Assessment of the Conditions for Payments is available here.
Next Steps
The facility rewards the beneficiaries who demonstrate measurable progress in implementing their Reform Agendas in areas like the rule of law, governance, green and digital transitions, and public financial management.
Assessments for Serbia are not yet published, and the country has not yet received funding under the RGF apart from the prefinancing that beneficiaries received. In contrast, Kosovo has not yet ratified the necessary agreements, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is awaiting the Commission’s approval of its Reform Agenda.
You can find further documents and implementing decisions in the Documents section of our website.
