EU redirects Western Balkan Reform Fund to Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia

The European Commission announced that it will reallocate part of the €6 billion Reform and Growth Fund for the Western Balkans to the three candidate countries that have met the required reform benchmarks – Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia – following an assessment of progress made by the end of June 2026. So far, about €673 million has been paid, with nearly all of it going to those three nations.

The Commission warned that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia have fallen behind on the necessary reforms; Bosnia has not received any disbursement because of its complex institutional arrangements. Unused resources will be transferred to the leading performers. As EU officials said, "Reforms must remain a priority so that countries can fully benefit from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans."