Evaluation of EU support for waste management and urban wastewater treatment in the Western Balkans (2016-2022)

Waste management and urban wastewater treatment are important sectors in the enlargement process As part of the EU accession process, the Western Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia - are required to align their legislation and standards with those of the EU. This includes compliance with the EU environmental and climate Acquis (Chapter 27 of EU accession negotiations). Meeting these standards requires substantial investment and a well-equipped administration at both national and local levels to ensure effective transposition and enforcement. To support this process, the EU provides financial and non-financial assistance for policy reforms, infrastructure development, and capacity building. This evaluation assessed the EU's support for waste management and urban wastewater treatment - two important areas for achieving compliance with EU environmental standards.