Boosting the private sector competitiveness

Boosting the private sector competitiveness

The development of a robust private sector is essential for regional socio-economic development and integration, and to improve the region’s competitiveness and job creation. The Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Western Balkans focuses on the importance of supporting start-ups and micro-, small and medium-sized businesses as a means to this end and directs significant investments towards innovation and green growth. To unlock the potential of the private sector, increased EU financing is made available through blending of grants and loans, and guarantees under the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility (EFSD+). This reinforces open, innovative, business friendly eco-systems.

Since 2020, support for private sector development has been consolidated under the WBIF Private Sector Blending, including several prominent initiatives. The Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF), the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), and various programmes approved under the WBIF private sector blending calls can all be found here.

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Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027

Up to €30 billion in investments, including up to €9 billion of EU grant funding, is available under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. Investment flagship 9 focuses on Investing in the Competitiveness of the Private Sector.



Access to Financing

Aiming to facilitate access to financing – a hurdle many businesses in the region face – the European Commission, by partnering with IFIs, channels the funding through WBIF to local Partner Financial Institutions (Banks, Funds, Leasing companies, Microfinance Institutions). This funding is delivered via various financial instruments including loans, equity and guarantees to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). 

Complementing these financial instruments, WBIF also offers technical assistance to help MSMEs enhance their operational efficiency, adopt new technologies and improve their access to European and global markets. This assistance covers project preparation, business planning and capacity building.

Benefits of EU co-financing

  • cash-back incentives
  • lower interest rates
  • lower collateral requirements
  • longer loan maturity
  • longer grace periods


How we work?


Key Results

Since 2009
617m

EU funds for MSMEs in the Western Balkans

6.8bn

estimated investment

390,960

MSMEs supported

1,092,600

jobs supported and/or sustained

1.4m

MWh/p.a. savings in energy

425,000

t/p.a. CO2 emissions reduced

Investment priorities

Select an investment priority to explore the programmes available for MSMEs. The programmes are implemented by local financial intermediaries (commercial banks, funds, microfinancing institutions, leasing companies, and similar).

Green transition

SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2022

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €25 million

Estimated investment: €145 million

Embrace green prosperity with the SME Go Green Programme, a trailblazing initiative led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It focuses on enhancing the green and circular economy, agribusiness and competitiveness investments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans.

The Programme is strategically designed to focus on:

  • Scaling up green economy investments by allocating at least 70% of total investments to green technologies
  • Supporting agriculture and agribusiness value chains by dedicating 33% of total investments to this sector
  • Ensuring more equitable access to climate finance for women-led SMEs by directing at least 25% of the investments to initiatives led by women

EBRD extends debt financing to SMEs through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service and cash-back incentives await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments.

Go Digital in the Western Balkans

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €27.6 million

Estimated investment: €177.6 million

The Go Digital programme supports digitalisation, automation and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the Western Balkans. Emphasising sustainability, a minimum of 50% of the investments will be green, and at least 30% targeted to regions beyond capital cities thus contributing to regional and rural development.

EBRD extends debt financing to SMEs through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service and cash-back incentives of up to 15% await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments. The incentives will prioritise high-performing technologies that are less present on the market, mitigating upfront costs.

Some of the eligible digital technologies include automated manufacturing solutions, augmented reality, e-commerce, big data and analytics, and more. Automation investments will cover manufacturing and process equipment, printing, agricultural equipment, etc.

Green for Growth Fund (GGF)

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFIs: EIF and KfW

Start date: December 2009

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €68.6 million

Estimated investment: circa €489 million

Experience the force of change with the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), a pioneer in financing energy efficiency and renewable energy ventures undertaken by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and households.

GGF empowers by providing funds through local financial institutions or direct investments into qualifying projects and companies.

The commitment doesn’t stop at finance. The GGF Technical Assistance Facility is here to share know-how and technical expertise, ensuring the success of investments.

About GGF:

The Fund was launched in 2009 by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW) with the backing of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission (EC). GGF currently operates in 19 markets, including the Western Balkans, and is dedicated to combatting climate change, promoting economic growth, and fostering a sustainable future.

For more information about the Green for Growth Fund, please visit: www.ggf.lu

Western Balkans Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme ("SME CSP")

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2017

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €30 million

Estimated investment: €170 million

Sharpen small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) competitive edge with the SME Competitiveness Support Programme. This initiative empowers SMEs in the Western Balkans to excel in the EU market by meeting environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and product quality and safety standards.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) offers debt financing through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service ensuring businesses are well-equipped to meet stringent standards. Cash-back incentives of up to 15%, await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments.

For more information about the SME Competitiveness Support Programme, please visit: https://web-sme-csp.com/

Eco-Industrial Parks (Eco-IPs) in the Western Balkans - Proof of concept

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: IFC

Start date: July 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €2.5 million

This is the first programme in the Western Balkans to implement the eco-industrial parks (EcoIP) concept. It aims to demonstrate the feasibility of EcoIP’s by initiating four pilots in industrial parks in the region.

The programme has two components:

  • The first component - IFC will assess industrial parks in the Western Balkans. Based on predefined criteria, the four industrial parks showing the highest potential for successful transformation to EcoIP will be identified. Those four parks will be as pilot case studies and begin the retrofitting process.
  • The second component – A series of pilot case studies designed to facilitate the implementation of the EcoIP framework, including
    • Lectures, workshops and training on EcoIP framework implementation;
    • Presenting international best practices for the transition from traditional industrial parks to eco-industrial parks;
    • Presenting good examples of EcoIP framework implementation from the pilot case studies.

HI-BAR

Beneficiaries (public/private): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: March 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €50 million

Technical assistance: up to €2.5 million

The HI-BAR EFSD+ Guarantee accelerates investments in the next generation of climate mitigation measures and business models in the energy and energy-intensive industrial sectors. These include faster green energy transition, enhanced energy security, diversification of energy sources, and transition away from external fossil fuel dependency.

The Guarantee will support the rollout of mature technologies which have not reached critical levels of uptake due to market development barriers or the absence of established energy markets.

Furthermore, the HI-BAR will enable investments in the “next generation” of climate technologies that face high technology risks and demand a significant “green premium”, for the absence of an established market.

The Guarantee may also provide short-term and high-level coverage in support of exploration of critical raw materials, which serve as crucial primary inputs for various future climate technologies. Final recipients of financing will be public utilities, private corporates, and municipalities.

Supporting a Market-Oriented Green Transformation in the Eastern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans

Beneficiaries (public/private): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: KfW

Start date: June 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €200 million

Technical assistance: up to €10 million

This EFSD+ Guarantee supports market-oriented green transformation in the Western Balkans by:

  • improving access to finance for public utilities and private corporates to enable additional investments,
  • enhancing market-readiness of public utilities through institutional strengthening and commercialisation, and
  • promoting the integration of the regional electricity market within the WB region and with the EU.

The Guarantee will enable investments in additional renewable energy (RE) capacities for solar and wind power, the rehabilitation of hydropower plants, smart grids and storage, energy efficiency (EE) measures, and other investments needed to strengthen a comprehensive green transformation.

Final recipients of the financing will be public utilities for investments in RE and grid infrastructure. These utilities will benefit from direct lending at concessional terms, which brings more sovereignty and independence in corporate decision-making, moving utilities closer to markets.

In addition, private corporates will receive EFSD+ guaranteed financing for green transformative investments through private financial institutions.

Sustainable agriculture

SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2022

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €25 million

Estimated investment: €145 million

Embrace green prosperity with the SME Go Green Programme, led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It focuses on enhancing the green and circular economy, agribusiness and competitiveness investments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans.

The Programme is strategically designed to focus on:

  • Scaling up green economy investments by allocating at least 70% of total investments to green technologies
  • Supporting agriculture and agribusiness value chains by dedicating 33% of total investments to this sector
  • Ensuring more equitable access to climate finance for women-led SMEs by directing at least 25% of the investments to initiatives led by women

EBRD extends debt financing to SMEs through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service and cash-back incentives await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments.

European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFIs: EIF and KfW

Start date: June 2006

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €109.9 million

Estimated investment: circa €3.4 billion

Discover opportunities with the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), a driving force for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), farmers and private households.

EFSE empowers through finance, offering microfinancing via local commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and non-bank entities.

It’s not only about funding. A dedicated Development Facility strengthens local financial intermediaries, fortifies financial sectors, and bolsters resilience. The Entrepreneurship Academy partners with local incubators and accelerators, to provide training, resources, mentoring, networking opportunities, and more.

About EFSE:

EFSE was initiated in 2005 by KfW Development Bank, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission (EC). The EFSE mission is to ignite economic development and enhance lives in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood Region. As a pioneering public-private partnership, EFSE pools resources for enduring impact.

For more information about the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu

Green Finance for Inclusion

Beneficiaries: Albania and Serbia

Lead IFI: CDP

Start date: January 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €10 million

Estimated investment: €130 million

Unleash the potential of underserved micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Western Balkans with the Green Finance for Inclusion programme. By investing in innovative energy efficiency and climate-resilient measures, this programme will drive transformative change.

The support is particularly focused on empowering women- and youth-led MSMEs in the sectors of social entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and eco-tourism.

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is the leading financial institution, extends credit lines to local financial institutions, including Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), to facilitate on-lending to MSMEs under favourable terms.

Thanks to EU backing, eligible MSMEs can access loans with favourable conditions like:

  • lower interest rates,
  • reduced collateral requirements,
  • longer maturities,
  • a combination of all of the above.

Digital transition and innovation

Go Digital in the Western Balkans

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €27.6 million

Estimated investment: €177.6 million

The Go Digital programme supports digitalisation, automation and competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the Western Balkans. Emphasising sustainability, a minimum of 50% of the investments will be green, and at least 30% targeted to regions beyond capital cities thus contributing to regional and rural development.

EBRD extends debt financing to SMEs through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service and cash-back incentives of up to 15% await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments.  The incentives will prioritise high-performing technologies that are less present on the market, mitigating upfront costs.

Some of the eligible digital technologies include automated manufacturing solutions, augmented reality, e-commerce, big data and analytics, and more. Automation investments will cover manufacturing and process equipment, printing, agricultural equipment, etc.

Structural Reform Facility - Competitiveness Policy Priorities for Western Balkans

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €3 million

EBRD will develop and implement a comprehensive policy programme to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector, including MSMEs, within the framework of the Structural Reform Facility - Competitiveness Policy Priorities for Western Balkans.

The Programme is structured in two phases:

(1) the development of Competitiveness Policy Priorities (CPP) reports which assess key growth opportunities and barriers in the private sector and provides recommendations for policy measures,

(2) the implementation of a set of remedial policy actions to address identified gaps and improve regulatory frameworks, institutional strength and the overall business environment at country and regional level, following the CPP’s recommendations.

Trade and value chain integration

Western Balkans Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme ("SME CSP")

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2017

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €30 million

Estimated investment: €170 million

Sharpen small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) competitive edge with the SME Competitiveness Support Programme. This initiative empowers SMEs in the Western Balkans to excel in the EU market by meeting environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and product quality standards.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) offers debt financing through local commercial banks for qualifying investments. These credit lines are boosted by an EU-funded advisory service ensuring businesses are well-equipped to meet stringent standards. Cash-back incentives of up to 15%, await SMEs upon successful completion and verification of investments.

For more information about the SME Competitiveness Support Programme, please visit: https://web-sme-csp.com/

Eco-Industrial Parks (Eco-IPs) in the Western Balkans - Proof of concept

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: IFC

Start date: July 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €2.5 million

This Programme initiates the implementation of the eco-industrial parks (EcoIP) concept in the Western Balkans and demonstrate the first-ever EcoIP’s proof of concepts (POC) through the implementation of EcoIP pilots in four industrial parks and/or separate business units within industrial parks in the region.

It will be performed through the following two components:

  • The first component - IFC will perform assessments of the industrial parks in the Western Balkans and, based on a set of preselection criteria, identify four industrial parks with the highest probability of successful transformation to EcoIP. Those four industrial parks will be chosen for pilot case studies to commence the process of their retrofitting toward EcoIPs.
  • The second component - Pilot case studies in the second component will include (a) Lectures, workshops and training on the implementation of the EcoIP framework implementation; (b) Presentation of international best-case practices for the transition from traditional industrial parks to eco-industrial parks; (c) Presentation of good examples of EcoIP framework implementation from pilot case studies.

Financial inclusion

Green Finance for Inclusion

Beneficiaries: Albania and Serbia

Lead IFI: CDP

Start date: January 2023

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €10 million

Estimated investment: €130 million

Unleash the potential of underserved micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Western Balkans with the Green Finance for Inclusion programme. By investing in innovative energy efficiency and climate-resilient measures, this programme will drive transformative change.

The support is particularly focused on empowering women- and youth-led MSMEs in the sectors of social entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and eco-tourism.

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is the leading financial institution, extends credit lines to local financial institutions, including Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), to facilitate on-lending to MSMEs under favourable terms.

Thanks to EU backing, eligible MSMEs can access loans with favourable conditions like:

  • lower interest rates,
  • reduced collateral requirements,
  • longer maturities,
  • a combination of all of the above.

European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFIs: EIF and KfW

Start date: June 2006

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €109.9 million

Estimated investment: circa €3.4 billion

Discover opportunities with the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), a driving force for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), farmers and private households.

EFSE empowers through finance, offering microfinancing via local commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and non-bank entities.

It’s not only about funding. A dedicated Development Facility strengthens local financial intermediaries, fortifies financial sectors, and bolsters resilience. The Entrepreneurship Academy partners with local incubators and accelerators, to provide training, resources, mentoring, networking opportunities, and more.

About EFSE:

EFSE was initiated in 2005 by KfW Development Bank, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission (EC). The EFSE mission is to ignite economic development and enhance lives in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Neighbourhood Region. As a pioneering public-private partnership, EFSE pools resources for enduring impact.

For more information about the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu

Green for Growth Fund (GGF)

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFIs: EIF and KfW

Start date: December 2009

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €68.6 million

Estimated investment: circa €489 million

Experience the force of change with the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), a pioneer in financing energy efficiency and renewable energy ventures undertaken by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and households.

GGF empowers by providing funds through local financial institutions or direct investments into qualifying projects and companies.

The commitment doesn’t stop at finance. The GGF Technical Assistance Facility is here to share know-how and technical expertise, ensuring the success of investments.

About GGF:

The Fund was launched in 2009 by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW) with the backing of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission (EC). GGF currently operates in 19 markets, including the Western Balkans, and is dedicated to combatting climate change, promoting economic growth, and fostering a sustainable future.

For more information about the Green for Growth Fund, please visit: www.ggf.lu

WB EDIF Guarantee for SME Resilience

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EIF

Start date: June 2022

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €60 million

Estimated investment: circa €750 million

The Guarantee4SME Resilience empowers micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with improved access to affordable finance. By sharing the risks with commercial banks, the guarantee is dedicated to supporting smaller SMEs, with a minimum 25% allocation to micro-businesses.

Thanks to EU backing, eligible MSMEs can access loans with favourable conditions like:

  • lower interest rates,
  • reduced collateral requirements,
  • longer maturities,
  • a combination of all of the above.

Launched in June 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing energy crisis; this initiative aids MSMEs in bolstering their resilience while progressing towards a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Pilot Programme on Inclusive and Socially Responsible Procurement

Beneficiaries: North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2022

Status: Under implementation

Total WBIF grant: €2.5 million

This programme will help the private sector across the Western Balkans implement Inclusive and Socially Responsible Procurement (ISRP). The concept will be piloted at a regional solid waste investment in North Macedonia. 

The programme has two components.

  • Policy mapping for North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be carried out. This also includes the development of template contracts to integrate ISRP into procurement processes. 
  • Training, design and implementation of ISRP for the chosen investment project will follow. As a result, the Programme is expected to develop the skills and employment opportunities for currently underrepresented groups in the North Macedonian solid waste sector. A comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy will enable partners to draw lessons from the pilot and inform plans to replicate the approach on future investments under the WBIF.

Growth4All

Beneficiaries (private): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: July 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €40 million

Technical assistance: up to €3 million

Estimated investment: circa €234 million

The Growth4All addresses some of the key challenges for MSMEs in the Western Balkans through a supply of dedicated financing and technical assistance that promotes sustainable economic growth in underserved segments and achieves lasting change. Financing will be made available through Partner Financial Intermediaries (PFIs) in all six WB economies and will target specifically agri-businesses, women-led MSMEs, and youth-led MSMEs.

The Guarantee is designed to motivate PFIs to finance the targeted segments perceived to be too risky, by providing both credit lines and guarantee coverage for a share of the losses sustained.

Technical assistance will be essential for the successful deployment and implementation of the products and achievement of the objectives of the Programme. Its scope will include capacity building to PFIs, direct support to agribusinesses, marketing, and eligibility criteria verification.

Financing and financial diversification

Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF II)

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2021

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €30 million

Estimated investment: €75 million

The Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF) is an equity fund that catalyses the expansion of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-potential mid-caps in the Western Balkans.

Focusing on providing equity, quasi-equity and debt financing, ENEF II provides the financial boost needed for small businesses to grow and expand. Launched in December 2021, supported by the European Commission, EBRD and other development finance institutions, up to €75 million is expected to be available.

ENEF II goes beyond financing, by providing extensive pre- and post-investment support. Success is more than numbers, so support is given to identifying and addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities for businesses.

ENEF: a proven legacy

The journey began in 2014 with the launch of the Enterprise Expansion Fund (ENEF) under the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF), backed by an initial capital of €48.5 million. Guided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), ENEF I successfully invested in 16 companies by July 2020.

WB EDIF Guarantee for SME Resilience

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EIF

Start date: June 2022

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €60 million

Estimated investment: circa €750 million

The Guarantee4SME Resilience empowers micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with improved access to affordable finance. By sharing the risks with commercial banks, the guarantee is dedicated to supporting smaller SMEs, with a minimum 25% allocation to micro-businesses.

Thanks to EU backing, eligible MSMEs can access loans with favourable conditions like:

  • lower interest rates,
  • reduced collateral requirements,
  • longer maturities,
  • a combination of all of the above.

Launched in June 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing energy crisis; this initiative aids MSMEs in bolstering their resilience while progressing towards a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Multi-thematic

Advice for Small Businesses

Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: December 2019

Status: Under implementation

Total EU grant: €15 million

Empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the transformative Advice for Small Businesses initiative. It offers comprehensive advisory services spanning strategy and operations to quality management, financial reporting, energy efficiency and beyond.

The programme operates through a network of local consultants and international experts, accessing cutting-edge best practices. The mission is clear - equip small businesses in the Western Balkans with the tools to enhance their business performance and sharpen their competitive edge.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) pilots the Advice for Small Businesses Programme through the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF).

For more information about Advice for Small Businesses, please visit https://www.ebrd.com/small-business-support/advice-for-small-businesses.html

Crowding-in private capital

HI-BAR

Beneficiaries (public/private): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: EBRD

Start date: March 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €50 million

Technical assistance: up to €2.5 million

The HI-BAR EFSD+ Guarantee accelerates investments in the next generation of climate mitigation measures and business models in the energy and energy-intensive industrial sectors. These include faster green energy transition, enhanced energy security, diversification of energy sources, and transition away from external fossil fuel dependency.

The Guarantee will support the rollout of mature technologies which have not reached critical levels of uptake due to market development barriers or the absence of established energy markets.

Furthermore, the HI-BAR will enable investments in the “next generation” of climate technologies that face high technology risks and demand a significant “green premium”, for the absence of an established market.

The Guarantee may also provide short-term and high-level coverage in support of exploration of critical raw materials, which serve as crucial primary inputs for various future climate technologies. Final recipients of financing will be public utilities, private corporates, and municipalities.

Supporting a Market-Oriented Green Transformation in the Eastern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans

Beneficiaries (public/private): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: KfW

Start date: June 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €200 million

Technical assistance: up to €10 million

This EFSD+ Guarantee supports market-oriented green transformation in the Western Balkans by:

  • improving access to finance for public utilities and private corporates to enable additional investments,
  • enhancing market-readiness of public utilities through institutional strengthening and commercialisation, and
  • promoting the integration of the regional electricity market within the WB region and with the EU.

The Guarantee will enable investments in additional renewable energy (RE) capacities for solar and wind power, the rehabilitation of hydropower plants, smart grids and storage, energy efficiency (EE) measures, and other investments needed to strengthen a comprehensive green transformation.

Final recipients of the financing will be public utilities for investments in RE and grid infrastructure. These utilities will benefit from direct lending at concessional terms, which brings more sovereignty and independence in corporate decision-making, moving utilities closer to markets.

In addition, private corporates will receive EFSD+ guaranteed financing for green transformative investments through private financial institutions.

Financing and Accelerating the Sustainable Transition of Cities (FAST-Cities)

Beneficiaries (public): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

Lead IFI: AFD

Start date: July 2024

Status: Under implementation

Total guarantee coverage: up to €20 million

Technical assistance: up to €1 million

The FAST-Cities EFSD+ Guarantee enhances access to finance for urban authorities, in particular intermediate cities, to invest in sustainable urban infrastructure that contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Some of the investments may include roads rehabilitation, drainage, economic and social infrastructure, schools, health centres, public space, transport, technical landfills, urban renewal, housing, water networks, etc.

The final recipients of financing will be cities or their municipal operators. The financing will be made available through:

  • Direct loans extended by AFD
  • Credit lines extended by AFD to eligible local Partner Financial Intermediaries (PFIs) for on-lending to local authorities

Therefore, the FAST-Cities will stimulate sub-sovereign lending as a way to limit the states’ indebtedness, reinforce the urban authorities’ autonomy and enhance decentralisation. Moreover, investments will be accompanied by technical support aimed at enhancing the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of urban authorities.

Find your financing opportunity!

This map provides an overview of all active WBIF programmes for the private sector and the financial intermediaries that deliver them.

Use the filters below to find the best option for you.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 17

Number of Programmes: 5

More about available programmes: PDF

Albania

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 5

Number of Programmes: 5

More about available programmes: PDF

Kosovo

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 8

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

Montenegro

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 4

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

North Macedonia

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 7

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

Serbia

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 11

Number of Programmes: 6

More about available programmes: PDF

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 5

Number of Programmes: 5

More about available programmes: PDF

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 17

Number of Programmes: 5

More about available programmes: PDF

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 8

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 4

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 7

Number of Programmes: 4

More about available programmes: PDF

Number of Partner Financial Institutions: 11

Number of Programmes: 6

More about available programmes: PDF

Economy Investment Priority Programme Partner Financial Institution (PFI) Web Page
Albania Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture Green Finance for Inclusion Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania S.A.
Albania Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme OTP Bank Albania S.A.
Albania Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Procredit Bank S.A.
Albania Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience FED Invest Sh.k.k
Albania Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Procredit Bank S.A.
Albania Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) FED Invest Sh.k.k
Albania Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Banka Kombetare Tregtare Sh.A. (BKT)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Raiffeisen Bank d.d. BiH
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans UniCredit Bank d.d. Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme UniCredit Bank a.d. Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme UniCredit Bank d.d. Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Sparkasse Bank d.d. BiH (Erste Group)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosna i Hercegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Sparkasse Leasing d.o.o. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Raiffeisen Bank d.d. BiH
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosna i Hercegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience ProCredit Bank d.d. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) MF banka a.d. Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) NLB Banka d.d. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Raiffeisen Bank d.d. BiH
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Sparkasse Bank d.d. BiH (Erste Group)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Raiffeisen Leasing d.o.o. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Sparkasse Leasing d.o.o. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Mikrokreditno društvo EKI d.o.o. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Mikrokreditna fondacija EKI Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Mikrokreditna fondacija MI-BOSPO Tuzla
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Mikrokreditno društvo MIKROFIN d.o.o. Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Mikrokreditna fondacija SUNRISE
Bosnia and Herzegovina Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) MF banka a.d. Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Mikrokreditna fondacija MI-BOSPO Tuzla
Bosnia and Herzegovina Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Mikrokreditna fondacija PARTNER MIKROKREDITNA FONDACIJA
Bosnia and Herzegovina Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) ProCredit Bank d.d. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Sparkasse Bank d.d. BiH (Erste Group)
Kosovo* Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Banka për Biznes (BPB)
Kosovo* Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Raiffeisen Leasing Kosovo LLC
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience KEP Trust
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience ProCredit Bank, Kosovo
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosovë SH.A. (BKT)
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Agjencioni për financim në Kosovë (AFK)
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) KEP Trust
Kosovo* Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Kreditimi Rural i Kosovës (KRK)
Kosovo* Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Agjencioni për financim në Kosovë (AFK)
Kosovo* Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosovë SH.A. (BKT)
Kosovo* Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) KEP Trust
Kosovo* Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Kreditimi Rural i Kosovës (KRK)
Montenegro Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Crnogorska komercijalna banka AD Podgorica (CKB)
Montenegro Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Alter Modus DOO Podgorica
Montenegro Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Crnogorska komercijalna banka AD Podgorica (CKB)
Montenegro Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) ERSTE Bank AD Podgorica
Montenegro Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Alter Modus DOO Podgorica
Montenegro Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Alter Modus DOO Podgorica
Montenegro Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Hipotekarna banka AD Podgorica
North Macedonia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Sparkasse Leasing DOO Skopje
North Macedonia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme NLB banka AD Skopje
North Macedonia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme ProCredit Bank AD Skopje
North Macedonia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Komercijalna banka AD Skopje
North Macedonia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Sparkasse Bank AD Skopje (Erste Group)
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience ProCredit Bank AD Skopje
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) HALKBANK AD Skopje
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Sparkasse Bank AD Skopje (Erste Group)
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) ProCredit Bank AD Skopje
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Microcredit Foundation Horizonti Skopje
North Macedonia Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) HALKBANK AD Skopje
North Macedonia Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) Sparkasse Bank AD Skopje (Erste Group)
Serbia Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans OTP Leasing Srbija DOO Beograd
Serbia Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans OTP banka Srbija AD Novi Sad
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture Green Finance for Inclusion UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture Green Finance for Inclusion Banca Intesa AD Beograd
Serbia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Banca Intesa AD Beograd
Serbia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Serbia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme OTP Leasing Srbija DOO Beograd
Serbia Trade and value chain integration, Green transition Regional SME Competitiveness Support Programme Intesa Leasing DOO Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Banca Intesa AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience NLB Komercijalna banka AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Raiffeisen Banka AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience ProCredit Bank AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) 3 Banka AD Novi Sad
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) Eurobank Direktna AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) OTP banka Srbija AD Novi Sad
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) ProCredit Bank AD Beograd
Serbia Financial inclusion, Sustainable agriculture European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Serbia Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) HALKBANK AD Beograd
Serbia Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) ProCredit Bank AD Beograd
Serbia Green transition, Financial inclusion Green for Growth Fund (GGF) UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Bosnia and Herzegovina Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Sparkasse Bank d.d. BiH (Erste Group)
Montenegro Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience ERSTE Bank AD Podgorica
North Macedonia Financial inclusion, Financing and financial diversification Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience Sparkasse Bank AD Skopje (Erste Group)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosna i Hercegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Addiko bank d.d. Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Sparkasse Bank d.d. BiH (Erste Group)
Serbia Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Banca Intesa AD Beograd
Serbia Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans UniCredit Bank Srbija AD Beograd
Kosovo* Sustainable agriculture, Green transition SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo

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