Global Gateway: the Economic and Investment Plans

The Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans contributes to address bottlenecks in economic development, social development, energy security, environment protection and human capital, so that the Western Balkans can become the next investment hub and growth engine in Europe.

The Economic and Investment Plan for this region is composed of flagship investments in sustainable transport, clean energy, environment and climate, digital future, human capital and private sector development. The Plan has the ambition to mobilise up to €30 billion in public and private investments in cooperation with international financial institutions.

A total of 68 flagship investments are being funded by the Western Balkans Investment Framework, which brings together bilateral contributions from EU member States and Norway, and favourable loans from international financial institutions.

“Two years ago I finished my Master’s thesis at the University of Sarajevo, Faculty for Civil Engineering. Last year I successfully applied for an employment programme focusing on women engineers, and started working on the Road Corridor Vc. I am thankful that my first professional experience is at such a significant project, working with skilled co-workers, where my theoretical knowledge can be put into practice.”

Ena Bilalović, Construction engineer

Western Balkans projects

The Investment Platform for Türkiye supports investment proposals by EU financial institutions in the areas of decarbonisation, digitalisation, access to finance, innovation, and green investments, through a wide range of budgetary guarantee mechanisms for public and private investments. More than €2.4 billion of investments are expected to be leveraged through up to €400 million in EU budget guarantees.

“Renewable energy, electric vehicles, digital technology and aerospace with high-tech products such sectors use rare earth elements-based products in their manufacturing and the rare earth elements demands of these sectors are increasing day by day. Meeting this demand and gaining a critical role in the international rare earth elements supply chain is of major importance. The first step towards achieving this role is to ensure that research and development capacities on rare earth elements in Türkiye increase and expand global business networks”

Ümit Yasin Güven, Ministry of Industry and Technology

Türkiye projects

The Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Neighbourhood aims to promote jobs and growth, support the green and digital transition, and support connections and integration, both among the Eastern partners themselves and of the Eastern partners with the EU.

The Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern partner countries is made up of flagship investments in sustainable transport, access to finance and trade integration, sustainable energy, decarbonisation, climate and environment, digital transition, health resilience and human capital. The Plan has the ambition to mobilise up to €17 billion in public and private investments in cooperation with international financial institutions.

“With the help of the Moldovan Government and of the European Union, we received our first grant of 250,000 MDL and bought a precision drilling machine for furniture production, and then we bought a precision cutting machine for which we received a grant of 920,000 MDL. With the help of the programme, we were able to increase the number of employees by 20% per year.”

Vasile Burca, Founder of the company “Arhimob” Map

Eastern Neighbourhood projects

The Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbourhood  is the Agenda for the Mediterranean in action. The Plan aims to build a sustainable, diversified economy, unleashing the untapped economic potential of our partners and further connecting their economies with that of the EU. 

The Economic and Investment Plan for these countries currently has 12 flagship initiatives, in four sectors of cooperation: human development and good governance; resilience, prosperity and digital transition; migration and mobility; green transition: climate resilience energy and environment. The Plan has the ambition to mobilise up to €30 billion in public and private investments in cooperation with international financial institutions.

“The training on Euromed Trade Helpdesk was an eye-opener for me. I would use what I learned on identifying new trade opportunities to support women entrepreneurs within my organisation.”

Iman Hassasneh, Project Manager at Business Women Forum

Southern Neighbourhood projects