This document aims to provide WBIF stakeholders, particularly officials from relevant institutions in WBIF beneficiaries, with a concise and user-friendly guide to preparing and submitting applications for grant support under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

Following four years of implementation, the WBIF has successfully evolved as a unique platform to blend grant and loan financing to prepare and implement strategic investments in key sectors in the WBIF beneficiaries’ economy. To date, a total of 171 grants1 have been approved for 145 investment projects and these are at different stages of implementation with 47 projects under construction or tendering for construction.

The document’s overall objective is to facilitate the WBIF’s objective of financing key investments that contribute to socio-economic development in line with the EU accession process in the region by a) ensuring the most appropriate projects are submitted; and b) helping improve the quality of grant applications so enhancing the screening and assessment process. The result should be better quality applications with an increased likelihood of a grant award.

To stay relevant the guidelines will evolve to reflect emerging factors such as new measures or initiatives, to respond to external pressures through regular updating and to respond to any priorities that the Steering Committee and Project Financiers’ Group (PFG) may apply.

Information in this document is supplemented by additional information on the WBIF website www. wbif.eu.