The Technical Assistance to Connectivity in the Western Balkans – 2 (CONNECTA 2) is funded by the European Union in response to the Western Balkans’ need of technical assistance for the implementation of the Connectivity Agenda, the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and the roll-out of the Growth Plan.

CONNECTA 2 focuses on:

1. Infrastructure projects: Assists in bringing EIP flagship and other key infrastructure projects in the digital future, clean energy and sustainable transport sectors to the construction phase. Priority is given to the final phases of the infrastructure project preparation cycle. Typical CONNECTA 2 activities are the update/improvement of feasibility studies and designs (conceptual, preliminary, detailed/main), update existing Cost Benefit Analysis (CBAs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), carry out climate risk and vulnerability assessments, gender and human rights assessments, update/prepare tender documents and support to beneficiaries during the procurement phase.

2. Transport connectivity reform measures: Assists in preparing and implementing national and regional transport connectivity reform measures. Priority is given to the preparatory work and implementation of national and regional reform measures, including related technical standards. Possible intervention areas could be transport safety, infrastructure resilience, intelligent transport systems, border crossings, greening of transport modes, etc.

CONNECTA 2 is complementary to other existing technical assistance facilities such as Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) Infrastructure Project Facilities (IPFs), national Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs), Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPERS), IFI Coordination Office (IFICO), etc. It serves as a kind of ‘rapid reaction force’ to improve project maturity, e.g. by filling gaps in the project preparation cycle, updating/improving/finalising existing designs and other technical project documentation, or providing support during the procurement phase.

CONNECTA 2 commenced in December 2023 and its implementation will last 48 months. It is managed by the unit in charge of the Western Balkans Regional Programmes and the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission. The unit screens and subsequently approves or rejects submitted applications in close coordination with the relevant EU delegations / EU office.

Beneficiary consultations are followed by a decision of the European Commission for CONNECTA 2’s involvement in an assignment.

Beneficiaries 

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.