The European Commission is in the final stages of the procedural steps needed to enable Serbia’s pre-financing payment from the European Growth Plan, expected to be processed this year, according to a spokesperson for the European Commission, as reported by Euronews Serbia.
Serbia is set to receive EUR 111 million in pre-financing under the Growth Plan. Additional payments, in tranches, will be made after the implementation of reforms defined by the approved plan. Serbia has met the necessary condition to receive the pre-financing funds, though the exact timing of the payment has not been clarified. The first reform steps, which were due by February 28, 2025, were necessary for planning the next tranche of funds.
“Payments related to the first term within the Reform Plans – for steps due by February 28, 2025 – are expected to take place in the second and third quarters of 2025, after the required conditions have been met,” the European Commission spokesperson stated.
In July 2024, Serbia submitted its Reform Plan, which includes both fundamental and socio-economic reforms. The Commission evaluated and confirmed that the plan aligns with the objectives and requirements of the Growth Plan. On October 23, 2024, the Commission approved the Reform Plan after receiving positive feedback from member states. Serbia subsequently requested the advance payment, which amounts to up to seven percent of the total funds allocated under the Growth Plan.
