Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme in the Western Balkans

The Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme (SSTP) is a World Bank–managed initiative supporting Western Balkan economies to accelerate safer, cleaner, and more resilient mobility systems. Hosted by the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia Transport Global Practice, the programme blends European Union grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) with World Bank investment financing to deliver high-impact investments aligned with the EU Green Agenda and the EU transport acquis.

SSTP works in close partnership with the European Commission (DG ENEST), the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat (TCPS), EU Delegations, and Western Balkan line ministries and ministries of finance. Together, these partners design and implement investments and policy measures that reduce road fatalities and injuries, cut emissions and noise, improve connectivity and logistics performance, and advance digitalisation and alternative fuels across all modes of transport.

Under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the European Commission has allocated €134 million in grant resources through the WBIF to catalyze SSTP investments, enabling larger World Bank operations with measurable safety and sustainability outcomes, including support to regional priorities such as Green Lanes and Common Crossing Points.

Stakeholders

The primary stakeholders involved in implementing SSTP include the World Bank, Ministries of Finance, line ministries and governmental authorities of the Western Balkans, the European Commission, the Transport Community, and EU Delegations.

At the national level, Ministries of Finance and transport line ministries are the key counterparts, with responsibilities tailored to the specific subprojects financed.

At the regional level, SSTP coordinates closely with the Transport Community to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure alignment with European Commission priorities and strategies.

Direct beneficiaries of the programme include railway, road and maritime agencies,  customs and revenue authorities, border police, and other border management entities.

The SSTP Steering Group

The SSTP Steering Group provides strategic guidance to the World Bank in overseeing the programme. It meets annually to review the SSTP Annual Report, monitor progress, discuss potential projects, and advise on strategic priorities.

The Steering Group comprises representatives of the World Bank, the European Commission (DG ENEST), and the Transport Community. EU Delegations may participate as observers.

The SSTP Technical Group

The SSTP Technical Group ensures that proposed activities align with the SSTP scope, national priorities, and European Union objectives, while avoiding duplication of support. The group reviews progress, assesses the project pipeline, and addresses issues requiring technical follow-up.

The Technical Group includes members of the World Bank SSTP team, the European Commission (DG ENEST), and the Transport Community’s technical staff, and is chaired by the World Bank SSTP Programme Manager.

The World Bank SSTP Team

Overall implementation of SSTP is supervised by the designated World Bank SSTP team, including:

• SSTP Program Manager
• SSTP Coordinator
• Task Team Leaders
• World Bank Western Balkans Country Management Unit 

SSTP supports Western Balkan economies in delivering safer, cleaner, smarter, and more resilient transport systems by blending EU grants with World Bank financing to scale up practical investments and policy reforms across all transport modes.

SSTP supports country-led pipelines across the Western Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

EU grants are blended with World Bank lending to accelerate small- to medium-scale investments and reforms that deliver measurable safety and sustainability outcomes.

As of January 2026, 98% of the SSTP first-tranche envelope has been committed. A total of €74.5 million in grants has leveraged around €290 million in World Bank lending, corresponding to a leverage ratio of approximately 1:4.

SSTP Call for Proposals: Grants Now Open

Publication date: 03 March 2026

Closing date: 30 September 2026 (applicable only to the Green Lanes Call)

Apply Now — SSTP Grants under the General Call for Proposals 

Apply Now — SSTP Grants under the Green Lanes Call for Proposals

Stay updated on the latest developments from the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme (SSTP) and its support for greener, safer, and more connected transport across the Western Balkans.

January 2026

The third meeting of the SSTP Steering Group was held on 28 January 2026 in a hybrid format, bringing together representatives from the European Commission (DG ENEST), the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, and the World Bank. Chaired by World Bank Division Director Xiaoqing Yu and co-chaired by Christophe Galand of the European Commission, the meeting reviewed progress under SSTP Phase I and discussed the strategic direction of SSTP 2.0.

Approved in November 2025 with a total budget of €54 million, SSTP 2.0 marks a shift in priorities, with a significant share of funding allocated to the Green Lanes initiative to strengthen connectivity between the Western Balkans and the European Union. The programme will also focus on electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI), deeper WB6–EU integration, and pilot activities to mobilise private-sector investment. The meeting also confirmed next steps, including upcoming Calls for Proposals.

November 2025

Under the third SSTP General Call for Proposals, a Road Asset Management Enhancement Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina was endorsed by the SSTP Steering Group. The project will be implemented under the Federation Road Asset Management Enhancement Project FRAME. 

November 2025

On November 21 in Tirana, Albania, on the margins of the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit, representatives of the European Commission and the World Bank signed a €54 million grant agreement for the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme, provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). This brings total EU grants allocated to the programme since 2023 to €134 million through the WBIF. As of November, 98 percent of funds from the first EU grant of €80 million are already committed, leveraging an additional €290 million in support from the World Bank. The new grant will directly fund the top regional priority of improving Green Lanes and Common Crossing Points within the region and between the EU and the Western Balkans.

At a signing ceremony in Tirana, Xiaoqing Yu, World Bank Division Director for the Western Balkans, said: “This new grant is a strong signal of our shared commitment as international partners to the Western Balkans, where safer and more reliable transport systems can boost trade, support growth, and create better jobs across the region."

January 2025

On 16 January, the Safe and Sustainable Transport Programme (SSTP) reached a new milestone with the approval of a €12 million grant to support Kosovo’s Trade and Transport Facilitation Project 2.0 (TTFP 2.0), blended with a US$37.7 million IDA credit from the World Bank.

The project aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade by investing in critical infrastructure and IT systems. Key SSTP investments include upgrades to 21 railway level crossings; safety improvements to a high-risk road section between Fushe Kosove and Gjurgjice, and provision of scanners for priority border crossings

TTFP 2.0 is the first phase of a broader World Bank-supported program, with an overall financing envelope of US$180 million that will also support Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia. Through this investment, SSTP continues to deliver targeted support for safer, greener, and more efficient transport systems, helping Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans region strengthen connectivity, boost trade, and promote economic growth.

January 2025

The 2^nd SSTP Steering Group Meeting highlighted the SSTP team's achievements since July 2024, resulting in the allocation of 87 percent of approved SSTP grant funds across all Western Balkans partners. The meeting emphasized the importance of aligning SSTP with Growth Plan priorities, and to consider supporting the Green Lanes initiative with SSTP funds.  

December 2024

The SSTP successfully completed its second Call for Proposals between October and December 2024. Six new projects were selected, bringing SSTP’s total fund allocation to 87 percent (€65 million). Full allocation is expected by the end of 2025.

June 2024

The SSTP completed its first Call for Proposals between April and June 2024, receiving 7 project applications from across the Western Balkans. Following evaluation by the SSTP Technical Group and approval by the Steering Group, 5 projects were selected for funding. These projects cover key priorities including railway safety, smart mobility, road safety, and upgrades at border crossing points.