EBRD to present results of Energy Efficiency Financing Programme for Western Balkans

An online presentation of the GEFF Programme results and the announcement of further investments in the green economy’s housing sector will be held on 28 September 2021, via the Balkan Green Energy News portal.

On Tuesday, 28 September 2021, starting at 11:00 am, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will hold the GEFF Award Ceremony for the Western Balkans. The online event will be open to viewers via a live broadcast on our portal.

The event aims to present the results of the Western Balkans GEFF (Green Economy Financing Facility) Programme, the EBRD’s credit line that provides funds for investments in the green economy’s housing sector.

Over the past four years, the GEFF Programme has helped more than 9,000 households across the region to improve their energy efficiency. During the event, acknowledgment and awards will be presented to all those who have contributed to the success of the Programme. The EBRD also intends to present its partners with some 1,000 trees that will be planted throughout the region.

Over 9,000 households have improved their energy efficiency across the Western Balkan region, saving 12,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually

A panel will be held during the event to discuss challenges and plans to increase investment in energy efficiency and further green up the region’s economy, in line with the EU’s Green Agenda and the WB Economic and Investment Plan.

Speakers and panelists at the GEFF Award Ceremony for the Western Balkans include:

• Aleksandra Vukosavljević, EBRD, Director, Financial Institutions, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe
• Richard Masa, Head of Sector, Western Balkans Investment Framework, European Commission
• Violeta Kogalniceanu, Head of Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency, Energy Community Secretariat
• Leander Treppel, Director of the EBRD Board.

Over the past four years, EUR 45 million has been invested in energy-efficient technologies through the GEFF Programme in the Western Balkans.

The EBRD – GEFF Credit line provides funding for investments in the green economy’s housing sector in the Western Balkans, as well as to companies that offer energy efficiency and renewable energy sources to households through their products and services. Over the past four years, EUR 45 million has been invested in energy-efficient technologies through the GEFF Programme in the Western Balkans. Over 9,000 households have improved their energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and costs, improving the quality of life, and reducing environmental pollution. CO₂ emissions have been reduced by over 12,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing 7,700 cars from the streets.

The GEFF Programme for the Western Balkans continues. A total of EUR 135 million will further increase energy efficiency in the Western Balkan region, mitigating climate change.

GEFF is implemented locally via the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP Plus) and is supported by a grant issued by the European Union (EU), the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and the Federal Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Austria (BMF).