EU and Albania Review Progress on EU Growth Plan: First Reform and Growth Facility Committee Meets in Tirana

The European Union and the Government of Albania held the first meeting of the Reform and Growth Facility Monitoring Committee in Tirana yesterday, a key element of the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The focus was on how Albania is implementing reforms that will bring it closer to the European Union and unlock investment opportunities of up to €922 million, delivering tangible benefits for citizens even before the country’s EU accession.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Sigrid Brettel, Head of Unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood and Ms. Eridana Çano, Albania’s National Coordinator for the Reform and Growth Facility and Director General of the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination. Representatives from independent institutions, civil society, academia, private sector international financial institutions, and the diplomatic community also took part.

EU in Albania

Albania’s Reform Agenda is closely linked to the EU accession process, designed to deliver early benefits of membership, bring the country closer to the EU Single Market, and strengthen regional cooperation. Each reform milestone unlocks EU financial support under the Reform and Growth Facility, which together with the IPA pre-accession funds will further boost Albania’s integration path.

The Committee reviewed Albania’s progress from July 2024 to June 2025, which is currently under assessment by the European Commission, with a full evaluation expected in October. If all reform steps are met, Albania can expect a new grant payment from the Commission, following the €64.5 million pre-financing released so far.

Ms. Brettel of the European Commission acknowledged the work of the Albanian administration at all levels in reaching the reform targets. “Now is the time for Albania to double down on reform implementation. By demonstrating its ability to plan, implement, monitor and deliver results, Albania is showing will have the capacity to handle complex EU financial instruments further down the road,” she said.

EU in Albania

Ms. Çano stressed that the Reform and Growth Facility is more than a financial package; it represents a new governance model built on cooperation, transparency, accountability, and dialogue. “This process has been transformative. It mobilised the entire government, engaged Parliament, independent institutions and stakeholders, and tested our systems under pressure. It revealed both strengths and areas to improve. Above all, it demonstrated that Albania can deliver reforms on time, transparently, and in line with EU standards,” she said.

EU in Albania

Participants reviewed reforms in five priority areas of Albania’s national agenda: improving the business climate, developing human capital, advancing energy, digital innovation and infrastructure, and strengthening the justice system and the rule of law. They also discussed how reforms can translate into real, visible improvements for people and businesses. The Government presented the monitoring and audit systems it has established to ensure that funds are managed effectively and transparently, as well as its plans to strengthen communication outreach to citizens.

Participants reaffirmed their strong commitment to ensuring that the Reform Agenda succeeds and highlighted the need to accelerate reforms and investments to advance Albania’s path towards EU membership.

EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans

The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to bring Albania and other countries of the region early benefits of EU membership—such as access to the European Single Market and integration into the common regional market—while advancing key reforms.

Through the Reform and Growth Facility, Albania could receive up to €922 million in loans and grants, depending on how successfully it implements its Reform Agenda.

These reforms address some of Albania’s biggest challenges: fighting corruption and organised crime, reducing informality in the economy, strengthening the judiciary, improving education and skills, modernising infrastructure, and supporting energy and digital transitions.

The EU Growth Plan for Albania is an integral part of the overall EU integration process and the ongoing negotiations for EU accession.

Further information on EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/growth-plan-western-balkans_en 

Albania’s Reform Agenda can be found here while the annex with steps and payment conditions can be found here.