Funding helps WYG extend Balkans' reach

The Leeds-based group, formerly known as White Young Green, was appointed in 2008 to implement and manage an initial 15.1m euro EU project paving the way for investment projects in transport, environment and energy infrastructure across the Western Balkans.

The Infrastructure Projects Facility (IPF) has now been handed 15m euro to further improve the region's infrastructure. The original four-year project will now run until 2014. WYG said the investment justifies its decision to open offices in Bosnia and Croatia.

Keith Cook, WYG's director of policy advice and programme management, said: "The timely extension of this programme, in both investment of time and funding, halfway through the original contract, is testament not only to the commitment and confidence of the IPF, but secures even greater benefits and momentum for countries across the Western Balkans."

The IPF aims to create sustainable social and economic development following the 1990s Balkans conflict. It is focused on Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.

The IPF programme has more than 50 projects in the pipeline and has so far begun preparation of over 20 of them, including 46m euros of funding for two projects to design prisons.

WYG is currently contracted on 14 developments, with an additional one under contract negotiation and set to begin. The consultancy has already succ-essfully completed 19 projects across the Western Balkans.

Mr Cook added: "We continue to consolidate our footprint in the region. The extension to this contract reaffirms our commitment to the region and compliments our decision to establish our WYG Croatia business based in Zagreb and the opening of a new office in the heart of Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo."

Other projects underway in the Western Balkans include landfill sites in Montenegro, flood protection in Albania and water treatment plants across the region.

WYG is focusing on winning more work in Africa, the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, the CIS region of former Soviet states, Turkey and the Caucasus.