EU, EBRD and Austria support greener future of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Head of EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark on Monday, November 7th,  launched the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Facility is part of the wider EU-funded Regional Energy Efficiency Programme Plus (REEP Plus) for Western Balkans, which includes a grant package worth EUR 30 million of IPA funds for energy efficiency investments in the residential sector.

On this occasion, Ambassador Wigemark explained that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the funds will be used to enhance energy security of households and promote green solutions and efficient use of energy.  “With this new facility launched today, the EU will provide a dedicated package of incentives for energy efficiency investments in the residential sector. The EU’s contribution for the EBRD GEFF facility for the residential sector will enable citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the region, to refurbish windows and doors in their apartments and houses, and to invest in technologies that will provide energy-savings to their households,” explained Ambassador Wigemark.

The Green Economy Financing Facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina combines technical expertise with finance and targeted incentives to support investment in high-performing, environmentally friendly technologies.

This financing will lead to meaningful improvements in the daily lives of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These investments will allow them to save money through lower energy bills, while also ensuring that their homes are more comfortable,” said Ian Brown, the Head of EBRD Office in Sarajevo.

With the REEP Plus programme for the Western Balkans,  EBRD is further stepping up efforts to increase energy efficiency investment in the business and residential sectors alike, in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia. In total, it EUR 135 million will be available for these types of investments, in addition to the EUR 30 million from the EU, EUR 1.8 million from the European Western Balkans Joint Fund and EUR 3.3 million provided by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance.

Europa.ba