The CEI National Coordinators have recently approved four new Technical Cooperation Projects (TCs), to be funded under the CEI Fund at the EBRD, entirely financed by the Italian Government, through a total grant worth 1.5 million EUR. They will support Moldova, North Macedonia, Ukraine and the Balkan Region, respectively in the fields of enterprise development, transport, energy and capacity building as follows:
The project titled Advisory to MSMEs and Start-Ups in Moldova will address the need to support MSME ecosystem development as well as high potential start-ups (HPSUs), smaller and innovative companies with a strong potential to scale up and prepare to access finance, build partnerships and excel, positioning themselves as the drivers of the economy in the future. The technical assistance will focus on offering relevant non-financial business development services to help MSMEs and HPSUs to innovate, develop and grow by launching the EBRD’s Small Business Initiative product in Moldova – the Star Venture Programme in support of start-ups. The Programme provides the basis for the development of start-ups with a focus on economic inclusion of youth, refugees and women. It will help provide assistance to MSMEs via trainings, workshops, and awareness-raising activities, in order to further develop their business.
The second one called Rail Corridor VIII - Phase 2 - Lender's Monitor Advisor will support North Macedonia to improve regional connectivity and promote greener transport. The project involves constructing and rehabilitating railway sections, including bridges, tunnels, and signaling systems. The first two sections are under construction and are expected to be completed by 2026, while the third section is planned to start in 2030. The Technical assistance will focus on assisting the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in monitoring the project's implementation, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets, and identifying and resolving potential issues.
…TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR INVESTMENT PROJECTS…
The project in Ukraine, Decarbonisation and Action Plan for Javno Preduzeće Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS!), will support Javno Preduzeće Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) in developing a decarbonisation action plan aligned with the Paris Agreement and the National Energy and Climate Plan. EPS, a major electricity generation utility, aims to transition from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The technical assistance involves scenario analysis, cost assessments, and workforce planning to ensure a just and sustainable energy transition. The plan will help maintain energy security for Serbia and contribute to the country's goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
Finally, the project Enhancing Public Procurement Professionalism Capacity Building Programme focuses on enhancing public procurement professionalism in non-EU Member States, in particular in the Western Balkan region. It involves two Master's programmes - one at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (TVU) and another at the University of Belgrade (UoB) in Serbia. The TVU programme is a full-time postgraduate course with interdisciplinary content, while the UoB programme accommodates working professionals with intensive lectures and seminars over 12 months. Donor funding supports participants who cannot afford tuition and living expenses. The initiative aims to improve public governance, procurement practices, and contribute to the implementation of EBRD-financed projects.
For more info: dovier@cei.int