Zielinski takes over from Charlotte Ruhe, who will retire at the end of June after leading the Bank’s operations in the broader central and south-eastern Europe region.

In his new role, Zielinski will oversee EBRD's projects and initiatives across the six Western Balkans countries, as well as Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece. Based in Belgrade, he aims to facilitate investments that achieve substantial benefits, tackle regional challenges, and promote sustainable long-term growth. His collaboration with country teams, public authorities, and private-sector clients will be pivotal for advancing investments, policy discussions, and reform activities throughout the region.

Grzegorz Zielinski, a Polish national, has a rich history with the EBRD, having joined the organization in 1998 from Ernst & Young. Over his career, he has held several notable positions, including Director of the Energy Europe team within the Sustainable Infrastructure Group. His expertise in managing complex investment programs and policy reforms has established a strong foundation for his upcoming role.

His appointment comes at a crucial time for South-Eastern Europe, a region characterized by diverse economies at various developmental stages and significant reform needs. The EBRD’s focus in the area aims to promote sustainable infrastructure, enhance energy security, and encourage private-sector competitiveness while fostering institutional reforms for resilient and inclusive growth.