The European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched today a new initiative to mobilise large-scale investments in modern transport infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative will support roads modernisation, ensure better connectivity and improve road safety across the country, in line with EU standards.
Funded through a €10 million grant from the European Union, the programme will help identify and prepare feasibility studies for priority road projects. The programme is expected to pave the way for up to €300 million in future infrastructure investments, supported jointly by EBRD, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank.
The initiative was officially launched in the presence of Head of EU Delegation and EU Special Representative Ambassador Luigi Soreca, EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone, representatives of the authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, as well as the two public road companies JP Ceste Federacije BiH and JP Putevi Republike Srpske.
“It is my great pleasure to announce the launch of this important programme for the modernisation of road infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through an EU grant of € 10 million, we will support the preparation of priority road sections, detailed technical documentation and ready-to-launch investments covering up to 800 kilometres of roads in the Federation of BiH and up to 360 kilometres in Republika Srpska. With this programme, the European Union reaffirms its long-term commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, through concrete improvements that will improve road safety, connectivity and economic opportunities for citizens across the country,” said Ambassador Soreca.
As part of the launch, two mandate letters to start the detailed project preparation will be signed on behalf of the EBRD by Vice President Matteo Patrone. On the Bosnia and Herzegovina side, the signatories will be Federal Minister of Transport and Communications Andrijana Katić and JP Ceste Federacije BiH Director Ljubo Pravdić for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Republika Srpska Minister of Transport and Communications Zoran Stevanović and Director JP Putevi Republike Srpske Miroslav Janković for Republika Srpska.
“This project will help Bosnia and Herzegovina turn priority road sections into ready-to-finance projects. By strengthening preparation and prioritisation, we are supporting safer, more resilient roads and building the pipeline for future investment in both entities,” said Patrone.
Alongside the ongoing construction of Corridor Vc, Bosnia and Herzegovina requires additional investment in rehabilitation and modernisation of key road sections to improve mobility and regional connectivity. The EU and EBRD will support JP Ceste Federacije BiH and JP Putevi Republike Srpske in identification and preparation of high-priority investment through feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, transparent project prioritisation, detailed technical design and tender documentation. Special focus will be placed on improving road safety, climate resilience and ensuring alignment with EU transport and environment standards.
This initiative represents another important step in the European Union and EBRD’s broader support for sustainable connectivity, economic development and modernisation of transport infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
