Serbia and the EIB

We support Serbia’s shift to greener mobility through major investments in rail and inland waterways. This includes upgrades to Rail Corridor X, such as financing the Niš–Dimitrovgrad line and improvements to the Belgrade–Niš section. We have also helped rehabilitate the Djerdap I and II navigation locks and remove sunken vessels along the Danube to enhance navigational safety.

Our financing also supports the rehabilitation of key roads and the construction of the Niš–Merdare 'Highway of Peace', improving connectivity, reducing travel times and strengthening regional integration.

We promote climate resilience and energy security by financing water and wastewater infrastructure and supporting the EU for Green Agenda in Serbia. Through tools such as the Green Checker and the Decarbonisation Guide, we help small businesses assess environmental impacts and adopt greener practices.

In the energy sector, we finance hydropower rehabilitation, the rollout of smart meters and the Serbia–Bulgaria gas interconnector to improve efficiency and diversify supply.

We improve access to finance for companies through long-term loans on favourable terms and EIF guarantee instruments that encourage lending to underserved firms. We also offer technical assistance to help businesses prepare bankable projects and directly finance major investments, such as the FIAT factory upgrade for electric vehicle production.

Our support promotes sustainable growth, inclusive employment and green investment. Credit lines under the EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework and the Innovation and Green Transformation Facility further strengthen competitiveness and SME resilience across the region.

We invest in modern education and research infrastructure, including renovating schools and universities and supporting Serbia’s dual education system. The Connected Schools project has brought high-speed internet to thousands of schools nationwide.

We also back science and technology parks in Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad, creating hubs for research, entrepreneurship and collaboration between academia and industry.

We help strengthen Serbia’s healthcare system through the modernisation and expansion of clinical centres in Belgrade, Kragujevac, Niš and Novi Sad. Our support also includes upgrading the Torlak Institute’s vaccine production capacity, bolstering the country’s preparedness for health emergencies.