Following the adoption of the European Green Deal and the need for more targeted investments in the Green Agenda in the Western Balkans, the European Commission (EC) decided in 2021 to allocate €80 million to a SSTP. It was agreed that the World Bank would host and manage the SSTP through the Europe and Central Asia Transport Global Practice.
Under the SSTP, funds are provided as grants and blended with World Bank financing based on the fair-share principle across all six Western Balkan countries. Through this mechanism, the SSTP supports the implementation of the sustainable transport component of the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which aim to spur long-term growth in the region, and promote safer and more resilient transport network.
The SSTP grant operations are approved and supervised in consultation with the Technical Group. The World Bank team provides administrative, technical, and logistical support to ensure the effective implementation of the programme.
Stakeholders
The primary stakeholders involved in implementing the SSTP include the World Bank, Ministries of Finance (MoF), line ministries/governmental authorities of the Western Balkans, the European Commission, the Transport Community, and European Union Delegations.
At the national level, the MoF and line ministries in charge of transport are the key entities engaged in the SSTP, with responsibilities tailored to the specific subprojects financed.
At the regional level, the SSTP coordinates closely with the Transport Community to avoid duplication of work and ensure alignment with the European Commission's priorities and strategies.
The direct beneficiaries of the SSTP include railway infrastructure companies, road agencies, customs and revenue agencies, border police, and other customs and border management entities, depending on the priority areas of the program.
The SSTP Steering Group
The SSTP Steering Group gives strategic direction to the World Bank for overseeing the project. The group meets annually to review the SSTP Annual Report, track progress, discuss potential projects, and advise the World Bank on the SSTP.
The SSTP Steering Group comprises the World Bank, the European Commission (DG NEAR), and the Transport Community. European Union Delegations may be invited as observers.
The SSTP Technical Group
The meetings of the SSTP Technical Group ensure that proposals align with the SSTP scope and national and European Union priorities and avoid duplication of support efforts. They analyze SSTP progress, review the project pipeline, and discuss issues requiring technical follow-up. Representatives of eligible project beneficiaries may also participate.
The Technical Group includes members of the World Bank SSTP team, European Commission (DG NEAR) and Transport Community’s technical staff and is chaired by the World Bank SSTP Program Manager.
The World Bank SSTP Team
The overall implementation of the SSTP project is supervised by the designated SSTP team at the World Bank, including the following:
- SSTP Program Manager
- SSTP Coordinator
- Task Team Leaders
- World Bank’s Western Balkans Country Management Unit
