| |
Donor
Profiles
Please search for donors by donor country or international
institution:
[Austria] [Czech Republic]
[Denmark] [European Union] [Germany]
[Greece] [Italy] [Japan]
[The Netherlands] [Norway] [Sweden]
[Switzerland] [United Kingdom] [USA]
[World Bank]
| AUSTRIA |
Austrian Development Agency
(ADA) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The agency supports: Albania, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia
and Montenegro, including Kosovo (territory under interim UN administration).
The priority environmental sectors are: water supply, wastewater
treatment, energy efficiency, renewable energies (solar, geothermal
energy) and institutional strengthening
|
| Environmental investment
support |
The agency provides technical assistance
and investment support.
A strategy for future assistance is to be developed.
|
| Funding mechanism |
The agency supports projects from the
public sector (in general below EUR 2 million) in the form of a grant.
The rate of support depends on the project; co-financing is obligatory
in the majority of cases.
Projects have to be in line with country strategies
and show strong ownership of the project. Projects have to be considered
a priority, being sustainable (socially, environmentally, and economically),
and taking into account gender issues and impact on the country’s
development.
The total budget for the SEE countries in 2005
was EUR 17 million and approximately one third was planned to be
spent on environmental projects. |
| CZECH REPUBLIC |
Ministry of the Environment
of the Czech Republic (MOE of Czech Republic) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
Assistance is provided only to Serbia
and Montenegro, the only priority country of the region. For
the period 2006-2010 the priority areas of assistance are: waste
management; co-operation in the field of old ecological loads; drinking
water supply; transfer of experiences with modern environmental
technologies such as renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
cooperation in the field of environmental education. |
| Environmental investment
support |
The Ministry of Environment is funding
small-scale environmental investment projects in Serbia and Montenegro
and provides technical assistance.
For the future there are plans to increase assistance
to Serbia and Montenegro. As the budget is increasing every year,
it is possible to support smaller projects aimed at solving environmental
“hot spots,” but there is not enough to support big
infrastructure projects. |
| Funding mechanism |
The institution provides grant support,
the biggest project having EUR 700,000. The rate of support depends
on the project. Eligible beneficiaries include the public sector,
municipalities, and NGOs. For 2006 the total budget for environmental
projects in Serbia and Montenegro is EUR 500,000. All
projects must be in accordance with the Czech Strategy Paper for
Serbia and Montenegro. |
| DENMARK |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Denmark (MoFA of Denmark) Information
based on the web site. |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Denmark (MFA) has initiated a Neighbourhood Programme for the EU neighbouring
countries to the east and southeast. It also covers the Western Balkans.
The aim of the programme is to contribute to the promotion of open
democratic societies founded on the rule of law and based on stable
political and economic development.
For the period 2004-2007 a total of DKK 850 (about EUR 113.9 million)
has been allocated to the programme. The programme is conducted
by three ministries: the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Danish Ministry of Economic and business Affairs and the Danish
Ministry of the Environment. The MoFA's share of the programme is
DKK 730 million (about EUR 97.8 million).
|
| Environmental investment
support |
In 2002 MOFA provided support for Serbia
and Montenegro, including the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK),
through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for environmental
policy and management, as well as for the reconstruction of infrastructures
for water supply in Mitrovica.
In 2003 and 2004, reconstruction assistance was provided to the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to prevent pollution of water sources
by providing villages with drainage systems. |
| Funding mechanism |
The Neighbourhood Programme provides
assistance to both civil societies and government authorities. The
assistance under the Neighbourhood Programme is primarily implemented
as larger, coherent programmes, planned on the basis of dialogue with
cooperation partners in the recipient countries as well as the Danish
resource base. This implies that Danish authorities, organisations,
the Danish business community and others are involved in the planning
as well as implementation of the programme. Contrary to previous programmes,
the Neighbourhood Programme is not open for applications for assistance
to individual projects.
The programme has a flexible design, which implies that smaller, specifically
focused initiatives are carried out alongside the programmes. |
| GERMANY |
Federal Ministry
for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Federal Ministry for the Environment,
Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
supports Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia
and Montenegro.
The priority environmental areas are water supply, transboundary
river basin management, waste management, and eco-tourism.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
The BMU does not support environmental
investment projects or technical assistance for
project preparation. For further information, refer to the Brochure
on Advising Assistance Programme and other support activities (2003,
PDF version in German, English, Russian) can be found here.
Continuation of this support is foreseen for the coming years. |
| Funding mechanism |
The maximum size of a supported project
is EUR 250,000, with a maximum co-financing
rate of 70 percent. Only grants are provided by the ministry.
The application should be feasible and include a project description.
The eligible sectors are NGOs and governmental bodies (with 30-80
percent self-contribution by the applicant).
The total budget for the region is EUR 100,000-150,000 per year,
while environmental projects in 2004 had a budget of EUR 112,000.
|
| |
Federal Ministry for the
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
| Information about donor organisation |
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development (BMZ) supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia
and Montenegro.
Different sectors are supported in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In Albania, energy, water supply and sanitation (drinking water, water
management, sanitation and solid waste management) are supported,
while in Bosnia and Herzegovina municipal water supply and sanitation
are the targeted areas. In Serbia and Montenegro, focus is on infrastructure
development (e.g. municipal water supply and sanitation, heating systems),
energy efficiency, and electricity supply. |
| Environmental investment support |
BMZ is assisting Albania in modernising its
energy infrastructure. New regional administration agencies are
being set up for the energy sector, thus allowing efficient local
operations independent of the central authority. There are also
plans to re-establish small private hydropower plants.
Germany is supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in
the implementation of necessary water sector investments, the development
and implementation of a cost-covering, socially acceptable system
of user charges, and improvement of the corporate structure. Development
cooperation measures also include training and upgrading infrastructure,
and the promotion of the involvement of the private sector.
For Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo (territory
under interim UN administration) an Energy Efficiency Facilitation
Fund will be provided in order to support and finance small and
medium-sized energy efficiency measures for both the public and
private sectors. |
| Funding mechanism |
Both public and private sectors are eligible for
support. |
| |
German Development Bank
(KfW) |
| Information about donor organisation |
The German Development Bank (KfW) finances development
cooperation on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Economic Cooperation
and Development.
The bank supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro.
The priority environmental areas vary from country
to country. In Albania, they are the water and energy sectors, as
well as support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the areas are housing, water supply and
sanitation, and electricity supply. In the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, they are environmental protection, and the promotion
of SMEs. In Serbia and Montenegro, they are water treatment, drinking
water supply, sewage disposal, electricity supply and SME support. |
| Environmental investment support |
Primarily directed to water supply, sewage treatment,
electricity supply. Technical assistance and consulting is available
for project preparation.
KfW provides not only loans but also grants and interest rate subsidies.
Loans can be promotional loans at market conditions or loans with
favourable interest rates. Least developed countries (LDCs) can
receive financial cooperation (FC) grants; developing countries
receive FC loans at an interest rate of .75 percent for 40 years
with 10 years repayment and free grace years. More advanced countries
can also receive loans at an interest rate of 2 percent for a term
of 30 years, with 10 repayment-free grace years. Loans containing
market funds, mixed and composite finance and interest reduction
are designed primarily for public infrastructure projects for developing
countries. These FC development loans consist of funds raised by
KfW and FC funds provided by the German federal government. FC promotional
loans, which are loans under conditions similar to the capital market,
are also available for more advanced developing countries.
Grants are available for project preparation as
well. For environmental protection, social infrastructure, and certain
poverty-alleviation and social projects, 25 percent of the FC can
be disbursed as a grant even in the countries that are otherwise
eligible only for loans.
The bank foresees increasing its support for investments and actions
aimed at fostering social cohesion and at improving living conditions
in the SEE region. It will continue focusing on its priority sectors
in close cooperation with the countries from the region and the
international community. |
| Funding mechanism |
The size of projects varies and the type of support
includes: budget funds provided by the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ);
FC development loans (mixed and composite finance, interest reduction);
and FC promotional loans.
Both public and private sectors (SME) are eligible for support. |
| GREECE |
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Greece
(MoFA of Greece) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Greek Ministry of Foreign affairs
has developed the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction
of the Balkans (HiPERB) for the period 2002-2006. After three years
of stagnation due to economic, institutional, technical and political
shortcomings, the HiPERB was reactivated in 2005. This important
five-year plan has a budget of EUR 550 million and undertakes the
financing of projects, investments and activities in six Balkan
countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro
(including Kosovo). More specifically, almost half of the allocated
amount (EUR 265 million) will be channelled to Serbia and Montenegro
(EUR 250 million for Serbia-Montenegro and EUR 15 million for Kosovo),
EUR 74.84 million to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
EUR 70.93 million to Romania, EUR 54.79 million to Bulgaria, EUR
49.89 million to Albania and EUR 19.53 million to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Around 80 percent of the aid allocated will be
given directly to the benefiting states. The rest of the 20 percent
of the EUR 550 million will be forwarded to the beneficiary Balkan
countries in the form of the co-financing of private productive
investments directed in the areas of agriculture and processing.
Priority areas are the following:
- modernisation of infrastructure, particularly
in the energy and transportation sectors;
- promotion of productive investments;
- modernisation of public administration and
self-government;
- support of democratic institutions/cooperation
of parliaments;
- support to the rule of law and the welfare
state;
- addressing economic inequalities; and
- support to education and vocational training,
to the administrative and scientific potential.
- Eligible funding areas include: productive
investments, infrastructure, energy, institutional building and
training.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
Bilateral Economic Cooperation Programmes
have been signed for each state. The plan and the conditions can be
found included in each agreement.
Albania, for instance, is planned to receive EUR 49.9 million for
a five-year period, which could be extended. In Albania, 79 percent
is earmarked for major infrastructure projects, 20 percent for supporting
private investment plans and 1 percent is at the disposal of the embassy
for small projects of an urgent nature.
An example of environmental investment support is a waste disposal
and water supply network rehabilitation project that provided the
municipality of Iliras USD 36,000 in 2003-2005. |
| Funding mechanism |
Proposals by the beneficiary countries
are received through the respective Greek embassies in the region.
Based on the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee, the minister
of foreign affairs will accept the inclusion of these proposals in
the programme of HiPERB.
Upon completion of this procedure, the financing of projects through
the five Greek banks already present in the region will start. The
forms of financial support are: free capital support; the payment
of part of the interest for the servicing of loans concluded for the
implementation of the above objectives; gratis coverage of operating
costs of the Economic Cooperation Programme; and participation, individually
or in cooperation with domestic or foreign financial institutions,
in equity capital.
Eligible entities for financial support include other states, international
organisations or regional cooperation institutions. |
| ITALY |
Italian Ministry for Environment
and Territory (IMET) – DG Environmental Research and Development |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Italian Ministry for Environment
and Territory (IMET) supports Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia
and Montenegro.
The 2005 IMET cooperation strategy’s major objective in Serbia
and Montenegro was to
strengthen the local institutional capacity in order to facilitate
the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
The 2006 planned activities mainly focus on the Kyoto Protocol implementation
such as identification of the national authority and Clean Development
Mechanism project portfolio in Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro (a memorandum of understanding
is under negotiation with Bosnia and Herzegovina).
As a result, the priority areas that may receive
support are those mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Another
crucial goal to be developed in the Balkans is the deployment of
renewable sources to increase the share of renewable energy technologies
in the energy mix by promoting an ad hoc financial mechanism (inter
alia green certificates). |
| Environmental investment
support |
IMET has only co-funded one infrastructure
project: Adricosm, which developed a system of short-term forecast
and real-time monitoring of the variability of marine circulation
of the coastal zones (the partners are Albania, Croatia, BiH and
Montenegro).
IMET’s main goal is to provide assistance
to the project preparation. It is supporting Serbian municipalities
in drafting pre-feasibility studies for promoting mini hydro-plants
and landfill biogas exploitation. The Pancevo Action Programme’s
aim is to support local institutions and public enterprises in developing
pre-feasibility studies towards the remediation of the environmental
criticalities (priority areas are air, soil, water and waste).
IMET foresees increasing support to South Eastern
Europe for environmental projects.
For more information, contact the Task Force for Central and Eastern
Europe in Belgrade. |
| Funding mechanism |
The size of the projects is from
EUR 100,000 to 500,000, with a rate of support of 100 percent plus
in kind contribution from a local partner.
IMET provides grant support. The conditions entail that the project
should receive the endorsement of the national authority (priority).
The project should also promote relations between the recipient
country and Italy. Finally, the project should include monitoring
and a final assessment.
Eligible sectors are preferably public ones (e.g.
financial mechanism schemes), but private sectors (e.g. technology
transfer) are also eligible.
The total budget for the region is EUR 5-7 million (cumulative from
2004 and the provision for 2006). |
| JAPAN |
Japanese International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
Founded in 1974, Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementation
agency for technical assistance, focusing on systems building, organization
strengthening and human resource development that will enable developing
countries and countries in transition to a market-oriented economy
to pursue their own sustainable socio-economic development.
JICA’s four main pillars are:
1. aiming for a more result-oriented approach and enhanced efficiency;
2. enhancing transparency for the administration and activities;
3. promoting public participation; and
4. intensifying assistance for peace-building and post-conflict.
- JICA carries out following activities:
- technical assistance projects;
- acceptance of trainees;
- development studies;
- grant aid (surveys, expediting implementation);
- emergency disaster relief;
- dispatch of Japan overseas cooperation volunteers
(JOCV) and senior overseas
volunteers (SV);
- grassroots technical cooperation;
- the Youth Invitation Program; and
- the International Cooperation Human Resources
Center.
JICA is supporting countries in the western Balkans,
including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro. |
| Environmental investment
support |
Albania was assisted by JICA to improve
environmental policy and administration management. Examples of
supported development studies in Albania are the Study on Sewerage
System in Metropolitan Tirana (1998) and the Study on the Development
Plan for Sewerage System and Sewage Treatment Plant for Greater
Tirana (2006).
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, capacity development
on water resources management, water supply and sanitation, environmental
policy and administration management were supported by JICA. In
Bosnia and Herzegovina JICA made feasibility study on the Waste
Water Treatment Plant of Sarajevo city (1999).
In FYR Macedonia, capacity development on water
supply, sanitation and waste management, environmental policy and
administration management were assisted. Highlighted examples of
JICA support are the Study on Air Pollution Monitoring System (1999)
and a Master Plan Study on Integrated Water Resources Development
and Management (1999).
In Serbia and Montenegro, JICA supported capacity
development on waste management, environmental policy and administration
management.
In Croatia, environmental policy and administration
management were supported by JICA. One example is the Study on Water
Pollution Reduction at the River Sava Basin (2001).
|
| Funding mechanism |
JICA is responsible for the implementation
of Japan’s official technical assistance. The policy and decision
on what projects be implemented are decided by Japanese Government,
namely MoFA and related ministries. |
| THE NETHERLANDS |
Ministry of Housing, Spatial
Planning and the Environment (VROM) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning
and the Environment (VROM) supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and
Montenegro, including Kosovo (territory under interim UN administration).
Priority areas include: joint implementations to combat climate
change, public participation, compliance and enforcement, environmental
impact assessment (EIA), and strategic environmental assessment
(SEA).
VROM is supporting the EAP Task Force, the Project Preparation
Committee, various regional environmental centres, NGOs, and UN
organisations.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
At present environmental infrastructure
projects are still not possible to finance, only feasibility studies
are possible via the EBRD-fund.
VROM is financing feasibility studies to prepare
ISPA-projects and project-related activities of EBRD projects through
the Dutch Environmental Technical Co-operation (TC) Fund at the
EBRD, which sponsors EBRD's technical assistance activities. |
| Funding mechanism |
The size of projects that can receive
support varies from EUR 25,000 to 100,000 within the department, and
together with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) up to EUR
1 million. The support covers up to 100 percent of the project costs.
VROM finances grants, whose conditions differ per programme, which
can be found on www.vrom.nl/international
, www.minbuza.nl and
www.evd.nl.
The budget for environmental projects in SEE differs year to year,
depending on demand and availability. In 2005 and 2006 together
around EUR 2 million was available for environment (Ministry of
Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and Dutch Ministry
of Foreign Affairs budget together).
|
| |
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA
of the Netherlands) |
| Information about donor organisation |
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) supports
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia.
The priority areas in Albania are strengthening
capacities of the Ministry of Environment, raising environmental
awareness within the Albanian population, and cleaning up existing
pollution. In other countries the projects should address regional
environmental issues. |
| Environmental investment support |
MOFA supports environmental investments such as
the clean-up of environmental hotspots. It also supports technical
assistance for project preparation through their regional environmental
expert at the Dutch Embassy in Tirana (covering various projects).
The Netherlands is currently preparing a regional environmental
programme aimed at increasing cooperation in SEE.
|
| Funding mechanism |
The size, type and rate of project support vary
and depend on the scope of the Dutch regional environmental programme.
The conditions of their support differ per programme. For more
information, visit: <www.vrom.nl/international>,
<www.minbuza.nl> and <www.evd.nl>.
Both public and private sectors are eligible. The total budget
for the region in 2005 was EUR 45 million, while for environmental
projects in 2005 it is EUR 3 million. In 2006 it will depend on
the scope of the Dutch regional environmental programme.
|
| NORWAY |
Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA of Norway) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro.
The priority areas are water supply, wastewater treatment, and
waste management.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
In some cases the ministry supports
environmental investments. It supports technical assistance for project
preparation. The strategy for future allocations is subject to Parliamentary
decisions.
For further information: post@mfa.no (attention to the Western
Balkan section).
|
| Funding mechanism |
The ministry supports only grants,
up to 100 percent of coverage. There is not a fixed amount for projects.
The conditions for financing refer to well-defined projects with clear
objectives and good documentation, detailed budget and reporting requirements.
The eligible sector is preferably the public one, with non-commercial
projects and normally with projects of 12 months duration.
The total budget in 2005 is NOK 750 million (EUR 95 million). There
is not a fixed budget for the environmental sector.
|
| SWEDEN |
SIDA (Swedish
International Development Agency) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The agency supports Albania, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
and Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo (territory under UN
interim administration). Sida field offices are located in Belgrade,
Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana and Zagreb. In the Balkans, development
cooperation with Croatia will come to an end in the next few years
as the country harmonises with the EU. For Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro,
including Kosovo, EU harmonisation forms the framework for development
cooperation and is a powerful incentive in the fight against poverty.
Development assistance to the Balkans amounted
to approximately SEK 700 million in 2005.
The aim of Sweden’s development cooperation in Europe is to
contribute to the creation of stable democracies that respect human
rights rights and equality, and economic transformation and social
welfare in those countries that are undergoing processes of transition
from centrally planned economies to market economies. Target areas
for Sida support are:
- environmental policy development and capacity
building;
- environmental protection — maintenance
of eco-systems;
- environmental infrastructure and technology;
and
- environmental improvements in local communities/municipalities.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
Sida provids investment support to water
and wastewater, waste management and heating, and reforming the municipal
sector. It also supports industry in cleaner production technologies
and management. Sida supports demand-driven environmental improvements,
meaning that local communities take the lead on environmental improvements,
decides on the costs and is responsible for operation and maintenance. |
| Funding mechanism |
Sida finances feasibility studies, business
and organisational development, project implementation support, and
investments leading to reduced pollution. For infrastructure improvements
environmental impacts and affordability must be assessed, and infrastructure
improvement projects need to address institutional aspects. Sida provides
complementary financing in the form of grants and credit financing. |
| SWITZERLAND |
State Secretariat
for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The State Secretariat for Economic
Affairs (seco) supports: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro, including
UNMIK Kosovo (territory under interim UN administration).
Financing is provided by Seco for basic public infrastructure (water,
energy and waste); policy dialogue with regard to sector reforms
for provision of public services; environmental protection, management
and monitoring; co-financing with multilateral donors; and environment-friendly
trade and technology.
Environmental priority areas in the Western Balkans are: water
supply and wastewater, river basin management; energy, energy efficiency;
environmental protection and monitoring; energy efficiency and cleaner
production by SMEs.
|
| Environmental investment
support |
Seco supports: energy (electricity
generation and distribution); water (supply and sanitation); transport;
waste treatment; and district heating.
The focus and intensity of seco’s activities in SEE is reassessed
on a yearly basis. However, there is no significant change in support
volume foreseen for the time being. The movement of partner countries
towards EU accession may influence future programmes supported by
seco.
|
| Funding mechanism |
The size of supported projects is large,
with a range of EUR 5 to 10 million, covering 50-90 percent of the
project cost, depending on the financing capacity of the beneficiary
institution. A local contribution, financially and in kind, is normally
expected.
Only grants are provided, and only the public sector is eligible.
The conditions to receive a grant are: project quality (technical,
financial, institutional); embedding in a broader strategy or programme;
correspondence with seco’s sector focus for the respective
country (see Country Strategy Notes on www.seco-cooperation.ch);
local ownership and local contribution.
Generally, projects must be submitted to seco or its local cooperation
office by the partner government.
The total budget in the region is about EUR 12 million, out of
which 80 percent is committed for environmental infrastructure projects.
For further information, the Infrastructural Financing Unit should
be contacted.
|
| |
Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation (SDC) within the Swiss Foreign Ministry |
| Information about donor organisation |
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
(SDC) supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia— limited
to one project in the Knin region, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro.
The priority areas are: sustainable management of natural resources;
preservation of biodiversity; energy efficiency/climate change;
public infrastructure and services.
Since 2000 support is also channelled through the Stability Pact.
Projects in Eastern Europe are implemented in close cooperation
with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco).
|
| Environmental investment support |
The agency supports technical cooperation programmes.
Environment investments are supported by another state agency, the
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco). SDC will focus on Water
issues in the future. |
| Funding mechanism |
The agency supports various sizes of projects,
from CHF 1,000 (EUR 650) up to CHF 1 million (EUR 650,000) per year,
and it supports up to 100 percent of the whole project cost.
Only grants are supported. The project has to conform with SDC
guidelines, and partners must be well known. A coherent project
document that includes a logical framework must be provided.
Both public and private sectors are eligible. In SEE priority is
given to the water sector.
The total budget for SEE (including Bulgaria and Romania) in 2005
was about CHF 60 million (approximately EUR 39 million). In 2004
technical cooperation on energy/environment was CHF 6.4 million
(EUR 4.16 million). In 2005, CHF 6 million (EUR 3.9 million) approximately
for the environmental sector and in 2006 CHF 6 million (EUR 3.9
million) approximately.
|
| UNITED KINGDOM |
Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Note:
Information based on the web site. |
| Information about donor
organisation |
DEFRA supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro, including
Kosovo (territory under interim UN administration).
Priority areas are: water, energy efficiency/climate change, biodiversity,
public participation, education for sustainable development, and
private sector involvement.
|
| Funding mechanism |
DEFRA supports various size projects
— up to 100 percent of coverage — and accepts only grants.
The total budget is GBP 1.5 million (2004-2005). |
| |
Department for International
Development (DFID) Note: Information based on the web site. |
| Information about donor organisation |
DFID supports: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and
Montenegro, including Kosovo (UNMIK).
The main environmental priority is to ensure environmental sustainability,
specifically: promote environmental sustainability, increase access
to safe water and sanitation and improve slum dwellers lives.
|
| Environmental investment support |
DFDI provides support for technical assistance
in general. |
| Funding mechanism |
DFID supports only multi-donor initiatives. It allocated in the
period 2004-05 GBP 17 million (EUR 25.2 million) as total assistance
in SEE.
|
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
U.S. Trade
and Development Agency (USTDA) |
| Information about donor
organisation |
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency
(USTDA) supports Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro.
The priority areas are air quality, hazardous waste
management, water treatment, and energy efficiency. |
| Environmental investment support |
The agency funds various forms of technical assistance,
feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops
that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair
and open trading environment. |
| Funding mechanism |
USTDA supports up to 100 percent of
project cost.
USTDA provides grants, according to the following conditions: the
project is a developmental priority for the host country; is likely
to receive implementation financing and have a procurement process
that provides “equal access” to U.S. firms; has the
potential to result in significant U.S. exports during project implementation
(at least EUR 10-15 million, about EUR 8.5-13 million); and whether
USTDA support will help to level the playing field for U.S. firms
relative to foreign competitors.
The request for assistance must be made directly to USTDA by the
appropriate foreign sponsoring entity (government or private sector).
If the foreign sponsoring entity identifies a US firm as partner,
then that firm can submit the proposal to USTD. A US firm has to
perform the USTDA-funded study.
In most cases, USTDA requires the US firm conducting the study
to contribute toward the total cost of the study and may require
the US firm to reimburse USTDA if the project is implemented and
the firm reaps a substantial economic benefit.
Eligible sectors include the public sector, and, increasingly,
the private sector in major infrastructure projects.
|
| |
United States Aid for
International Development (USAID) |
| Information about donor organisation |
The United States Aid for International Development (USAID) supports
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo (territory
under interim UN administration).
The priority areas are water and sanitation (no solid waste
or air programmes) |
| Environmental investment support |
USAID cannot provide environmental investment support,
as the programmes in the region are limited to technical assistance.
The focus of USAID’s work in this sector and region is on
national strategies, performance improvement, and financing options.
USAID previously provided this type of support, but now co-funds
only the Infrastructure component of the Private Enterprise Partnership
for Southeast Europe (PEP-SE) program and the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) project development facility in Sofia. (PEP-SE
provides technical assistance and advisory services to private sector
and infrastructure in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro.
The programme commenced in July 2005 and planned for 5 years period.)
Technical assistance is supplied through contracts to US firms.
Only the public sector is eligible for financing.
For all information:
Albania: www.usaidalbania.org
Bosnia and Herzegovina: www.usaid.ba
Croatia: www.usembassy.hr/usaid
Kosovo: www.usaid.gov/missions/kosovo
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: www.usaid.org.mk
Serbia and Montenegro: www.usaid.org.yu
|
| Funding mechanism |
USAID provides grants covering up to 100 percent
of project cost for projects of various sizes.
The total budget in 2005 was USD 278 million (EUR
235 million). Estimated water and sanitation programmes are less
than 5 percent of the total. In the future, support to the region
on environmental infrastructure projects will decrease. |
| EUROPEAN UNION |
Council of
Europe Development Bank (CEB) |
| Funding mechanism |
The Council of Europe Development Bank
(CEB) finances three types of projects/programmes:
- individual projects (IPs), which concern a
single field of action and a single site, or several sites, but
limited in number and technically linked;
- sector-based projects (SPs), which are made
up of a number of sub-projects in one or several fields of action
and come under national or regional development programmes for
the sector(s) concerned; and
- multi-project programmes (MPs), which are confined
to funding a large number of eligible small-scale projects (awarded
a loan not exceeding EUR 5 million), regardless of the fields
involved.
Borrowers can be the state, or regional and local
authorities, as well as the public and private financial institutions.
Cooperation with the banking sector is increasing in the region.
This can be done in four ways:
- indirectly, with the state acting as borrower
or guarantor (sovereign guarantee) and subsequently on-lending
through the banking sector;
- with commercial banks as direct borrowers without
any sovereign guarantee;
- with a financial institution from an EU country
as direct borrower for the financing of projects in SEE which
receive a contribution from the European Funds (e.g. from the
Municipal Finance Facility in favour of municipal infrastructure
with KfW Bankengruppe in several CEE countries, including Croatia);
or
- with a financial institution from an EU country
as direct borrower, which then onlends to a subsidiary established
in the CEE countries (or an associated bank) to finance the project
(examples in Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro).
These operations are subject to analysis of the
credit risk incurred by the CEB. Whenever necessary, additional
guarantees are set up in order to prevent solvency risks.
The CEB’s activity in SEE countries is increasing.
The environmental sector is considered important for the Bank. Presently,
15-20 percent of the total amount approved concerns environment
and prevention of natural disaster projects.
A loan request is prepared by the borrower in close
cooperation with the CEB’s departments. In some cases, the
CEB can provide technical assistance in the preparation of the project
and during its implementation.
CEB finances up to 50 percent of the total project
cost in the form of a loan. It finances up to 50 percent of the
total eligible cost of the projects. In SEE this proportion may
be increased to 90 percent for public borrowers. The financial terms
are negotiated between the borrower and the CEB directly. Loans
are provided in different currencies for longer terms with a repayment
period of one to five years. In specific cases when the project
has a strong social aspect and is in line with the priority objectives
of CEB, interest rate subsidies can be provided through the Selective
Trust Account.
Once the project has been approved by the Administrative
Council, loan agreements are signed and disbursements are generally
made in accordance with the progress of the work as reported by
the borrower and if necessary checked by the CEB. An initial payment
not exceeding 25 percent of the approved loan may be made so that
the work may begin.
The bank carries out regular monitoring, paying
attention to the physical progress through on-site visits, compliance
with costs, implementation of procurement procedures and achievement
of the anticipated social objectives. Upon completion of the project,
the bank checks that the funds are used in line with corresponding
objectives and ensures that the project is implemented in accordance
with the contract. Ex-post evaluations can also be carried out according
to a system with criteria for relevance, efficacy, efficiency, impact
and sustainability.
Loans can be provided in different currencies.
The maturity period is between five and 30 years depending of the
project and the quality of the borrowers.
The grace period is up to five years (in specific
cases interest rate subsidies can be provided). |
| Funding conditions |
Eligible countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and
Montenegro Both public and private sectors
are eligible for investment. In the case of private investment,
eligible projects concerning the protection of the environment will
be limited to SMEs. Investment projects undertaken on behalf of
firms with the aim of building installations for processing solid
and liquid waste and wastewater not produced by the firms themselves,
or for generating clean, renewable energy shall be eligible regardless
of the size of the beneficiary firm.
The following types of environmental investments
are eligible: projects funded by the CEB can concern urban infrastructure
such as drinking-water, electricity and gas supply networks; sewer
networks; reduction and treatment of solid and liquid waste; purification
and protection of surface and ground water; soil and ground water
decontamination; protection from noise; production of renewable
energy; reducing air pollution; prevention of natural or ecological
disasters; protection and development of biodiversity; cleaner means
of transport and transport systems.
In rural regions the CEB can also finance infrastructure
such as: drinking water supply networks; electricity and gas supply
networks; local transport systems; and irrigation networks.
Projects involving the construction of retaining
dams and related infrastructure for irrigation schemes are eligible
where the following conditions are met: no forced transfer of populations;
and negative environmental impact mastered. Infrastructure related
to dams which do not meet these criteria may not be financed. Moreover,
if the water course in question concerns several countries, the
countries must all give their approval to the project.
Loans are granted according to a series of specific
criteria and depend on socio economic impact of the projects, technical
aspects, cost analysis, institutional capacity in terms of project
management by the borrower, and possible environmental impact. Requirements
of relevant Council of Europe conventions projects financed by the
CEB must be subject to national/international invitations to tender
in accordance with the Procurement Guidelines.
|
| Additional requirements |
Applications can be submitted directly
to the CEB headquarters. Projects need to be communicated to the
government of the respective country before submitting it. The application
for loan is to be presented by the member states.
The project presentation elaborates the socio-economic
impact, the technical specifications, the plan for monitoring the
project and the financial plan including the rate of the loan and
the guarantees provided.
The CEB is able to provide technical assistance in the preparation
of the project presentation file. Depending of the complexity of
the project, the CEB is generally considered as quick enough in
the process of considering the application.
For further information, see the names of the countries’
managers at <www.coebank.org>.
Project applications should be provided in English or in French.
|
| |
European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) |
| Funding mechanism |
The financial products available from EBRD are
loans, equity investments and credit lines.
EBRD finances a maximum of 35 percent of the total capital for
private and 70 percent for public sector projects. The maximum amount
provided is EUR 250 million for private sector and the minimum investment
size is EUR 5 million. Disbursements are made against approved contracted
invoices, and the loan can be taken in euros or in US dollars.
The interest rates of loans are market based rates (LIBOR + margin)
reflecting project and country risk, plus a commitment fee of 0.5
percent annually on the undisbursed amount. The maturity period
is up to 15 years. The grace period is negotiable, but limited to
four years. Depending on the project risks, some security criteria
from borrowers are required.
Private sector borrowers are required to have insurance against
certain risks and secure the loan with project assets. Certain fees
and commissions are to be paid by the client such as front-end commission,
a commitment fee, a loan conversion fee, prepayment, and cancellation
and late payment fees. An up-front fee of 1 percent is used and
standard banking financial debt coverage ratios are applied.
Small projects are usually supported through financial intermediaries
such as leasing facilities, local commercial banks and micro-business
banks. These financial intermediaries are required to follow the
investments criteria of the EBRD. They are, However, able to select
projects independently.
|
| Funding conditions |
Eligible countries are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and
Montenegro, including Kosovo, which has a separate office.
The following sectors are eligible for support: public (direct
lending to municipalities without sovereign support is possible)
and private. Projects in the public sector have to be initiated
and negotiated via the governments. For private sector projects
the project proponent can enter into direct dialogue with the EBRD.
The type and condition of the financial assistance provided by
the EBRD is determined by the needs of the client and the specific
situation of the sector and the region.
EBRD finances large, small and medium-sized private sector projects
under different conditions. For large projects in the private sector,
the EBRD provides an average of EUR 25 million for financing, ranging
from EUR 5 to 250 million.
The eligible types of investments projects are: water supply, wastewater
collection and treatment, solid waste management, district heating,
natural gas distribution, and urban public transport. The bank invests
in municipal services, infrastructure projects, restructuring and
privatisation.
Project eligibility criteria require from the project economic
viability, conformance with the EBRD’s environmental standards,
and resulting benefits to the local economy.
In the future the EBRD intends to increase its support for investments
and actions aimed at fostering social cohesion and at improving
living conditions in the SEE region. It will continue focusing on
its priority sectors in close cooperation with the countries from
the region and the international community.
|
| Additional requirements |
Submission of project ideas can be done via
the internet or by contacting the local offices. The EBRD has access
to Technical Assistance funding.
Applications should be sent to the head office
Tel: (44-20) 7338-7168
Fax: (44-20) 7338-7380
E-mail: newbusiness@ebrd.com
or to the local offices. Project ideas from the private sector can
be presented to the EBRD via the internet by filling out an online
form on <www.ebrd.com/apply/large/index.htm>. |
| |
European Investment Bank |
| Funding mechanism |
The European Investment Bank (EIB) gives either
direct loans, or global loans through financial intermediaries (banks).
The total funds available for SEE are roughly EUR 300-400 million
p.a., while the funds available for environmental investments depend
on the appropriateness of the projects, since there is no specific
limit.
Loans can be combined with grants to cover technical assistance
from other bilateral or multilateral sources (e.g. with European
Agency for Reconstruction grants).
As a rule, the EIB funds maximum 50 percent of the total project
cost. There is no specific limit on the maximum amount provided,
while the minimum amount is EUR 5-10 million, depending on project
packaging. In cases when the project cost exceeds EUR 25 million
the borrower can agree directly with the EIB on the amount of the
loan.
The loan disbursement is based on physical project progress. The
interest rate of the loan is a market based rate — London
Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus margin.
The maturity period as a rule depends on the economic life of assets.
It can be up to 25 years; while the grace period is fixed as a function
of project construction period, typically from three to five years.
The maturity period varies depending on the type of project. For
the industrial sector it is 12 years; for infrastructure projects
it can reach 20 years. For the construction phase of the projects,
grace periods for the capital repayment can be granted.
The standard IFI contract clauses are applicable, with no additional
fees. Loans can be disbursed in various currencies depending on
the needs of the borrowers, but the euro is preferred.
|
| Funding conditions |
Eligible countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and
Montenegro.
Both the public (direct lending to municipalities possible with
sovereign support) and private sectors are eligible for support.
Loans for small and medium-sized private enterprises are available
via financial intermediaries. Private sector project proponents
can turn to the financial intermediaries for venture capital and
credits financed within global loans.
The eligible types of investment projects are: water supply and
sewerage wastewater collection and treatment; solid waste collection
and treatment; and industrial pollution abatement facilities.
For direct loans, the minimum project cost is EUR 10-20 million.
A sovereign guarantee is required. No fees are charged on the applicant
for processing the loan application. For high-risk or large-scale
infrastructure priority projects, the EIB provides assistance in
finding the most suitable financing options with the Structured
Finance Facility. The facility offers a wise range of financial
products, including loans and guarantees incorporating risk deriving
from early operation and pre-completion, debt of shareholders and
companies in restructuring.
|
| Additional requirements |
All projects are subject to a technical, economic,
financial and environmental appraisal, and due diligence verification
by the EIB, and a financing decision depends on the successful outcome
of this process.
Promoters both from the private and public sectors are able to
request direct (individual) loans directly from the EIB’s
headquarters in Luxembourg.
|
| World Bank |
|
| Funding mechanism |
The World Bank Group is consisting
of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
and the International Development Association (IDA), these two organizations
provide low-interest loans, interest-free credit, and grants to developing
countries.
In addition there are the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) promoting private sector investment, the Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) providing political risk insurance
(guarantees) to investors in and lenders to developing countries,
and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID) settling investment disputes between foreign investors and
their host countries.
In SEE, World Ban support is provided by IDA or
IBRD depending on GDP and a number of other poverty indicators:
- In Albania, IDA provides a mix of grants and
IDA credits;
- UNKIK Kosovo receives only IDA grants, however
the allocation is small thus quickly used up;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is supported by IDA;
- Serbia and Montenegro is in the process of changing
from IDA to IBRD support, thus at the present receiving a mixture
of support;
- Croatia and fYR Macedonia is supported by IBRD.
The following financial products are available:
IDA loans; IBRD loans; guarantees; grants for poverty reduction
and economic development. Around 80 percent of the Bank’s
lending is conducted in the form of investment loans.
Investment loans can be obtained to finance goods,
works and services in various sectors.
Projects usually run for 5-10 years and include
inter alia the development of public policy infrastructure and the
improvement of sanitation and water supply.
The terms of disbursement is defined in the loan
agreement and in same cases separately for specific project components.
Within the investment loan category project proponents can apply
for Specific Investment Loans, Sector Investment and Maintenance
Loans, Adaptable Program Loans and Learning and Innovation Loans.
Technical Assistance Loans, Financial Intermediary
Loans, and Emergency Recovery Loans are also available and can be
tailored to the borrowers` needs. These loans can be obtained by
the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
and International Development Association (IDA).
Another type of lending instrument is the Development
Policy Loan, which accounts for 20-25 percent of the total lending.
This loan is disbursed quickly for short-term projects running from
1-3 years.
Interest rates are: for IDA - interest free concessional
lending, 0.75 percent service charge, 0.0-0.5 percent annual commitment
fee on undisbursed amount. For IBRD - rate equal to cost of funding
+ 0.5-0.75 percent.
The maturity period is: for IDA - 35- 40 years,
for IBRD - 12-15 years.
The grace period is: for IDA – 10 years,
for IBRD - 3-5 years.
Co-financing is required from governments.
Guarantee is not required if lending to government
or its agencies |
| Funding conditions |
The World Bank has a variety of lending terms and
instruments. The Ministry of Finance of the of borrower country chooses
the instrument and it is not related to the technical details of a
loan project. A creditworthiness and country assessment is performed
when a new programming period commences for a country. Each country
has its own programming cycle of 3-4 years. Every project is also
tailored to the specific priority development needs of the beneficiary
country.
Eligible countries are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, including
UNMIK Kosovo.
IDA - lends to public sector in low income countries
IBRD - lends to public sector in middle-income countries and creditworthy
low income countries.
Priority focus is on supporting institutional reforms and policy
development.
The eligible types of investment projects are: water rehabilitation
and reform; district heating; solid waste services; promoting clean
water supply; sanitation in rural areas.
The loan is disbursed in specified instalment after fulfilment
of pre-agreed conditions such as passing reform legislation.
Eligibility criteria for the loan include coordination with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), appropriate macroeconomic management
and monitorable reform actions. This type of loan can be provided
by IBRD and IDA.
The World Bank provides grants to a limited extent for cooperation
and innovation projects.
The Bank maintains several Trust Funds, which are separated from
the Bank’s own financial sources. The Trust Funds can provide
grants for high-priority development projects including post-conflict
transition, debt relief and technical assistance. The World Bank
coordinates the granting activities with the Development Grant Facility
(DGF). The Facility ensures that the grant-making is in line with
the Bank’s strategy and establishes eligibility criteria.
|
| Additional requirements |
For applying, the local offices should
be contacted. The World Bank's main interlocutor is the Ministry of
Finance therefore any request for WB funding need to come through
them. |
|
|
 |
|
Home
Outputs
Donor
Contacts for SEE
Donor
Profiles for SEE
Links
to Beficiaries
Partner
Initiatives
PEIP
Team
Project
Pipeline 2003
PEIP
Publication 2003 (2.3
MB - PDF)
Project
Pipeline 2005
PEIP
Publication 2005 (2.2
MB- PDF)
Pilot
Location Strategies
Documents
Events
|
