Albania has made notable progress in advancing its Reform and Growth Agenda under the EU Growth Plan, achieving 21 of the 41 planned reform measures (51%) between December 2024 and June 2025. This strong performance prompted the European Commission to disburse €99.3 million under the Reform and Growth Facility, positioning Albania as the top performer in the region for this reporting period. The disbursement was announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Tirana, highlighting Albania’s successful implementation of sustainable structural reforms in areas such as energy, digitalisation, competitiveness, sustainable development, and economic integration.
The funds will support Albania in driving further economic growth and strengthening public institutions. Of the total disbursement, €46.2 million will be provided as a loan directly credited to the Treasury to facilitate ongoing reforms, while €54.1 million, comprising €28.5 million in grants and €24.6 million in loans, will be channelled through the EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) to finance infrastructure development projects. EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato emphasized that the disbursement reflects Albania’s concrete progress, including the adoption of SEPA standards by the banking system and upcoming initiatives such as free municipal Wi-Fi and elimination of roaming charges with the EU.
The Reform and Growth Facility, which operates on a six-month reporting cycle, strengthens Albania’s institutional capacities, planning, reporting, and transparency, while facilitating effective cooperation with the European Commission. National Coordinator Eridana Cano highlighted that the recent results demonstrate how the Facility is translating reforms into practical, measurable outcomes, reinforcing Albania’s path toward EU membership. The next report, due in early 2026, will document reforms implemented from June to December 2025, which will inform the subsequent disbursement scheduled for spring next year.
The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, launched in 2023, aims to accelerate the region’s economic convergence with the EU and deliver tangible benefits to citizens ahead of EU accession. Covering the period 2024–2027, the Plan provides up to €6 billion for the region and up to €1 billion for Albania, combining reform incentives with financial support. Through the Reform and Growth Facility, the Plan fosters integration into the EU Single Market and supports reforms in key sectors such as energy transition, digitalisation, rule of law, competitiveness, and human capital development.
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