SME Go Green: two Serbian businesses invest in a greener future
Small and medium-sized enterprises across the Western Balkans are investing in greener technologies with support from the SME Go Green Programme, supported by the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
The programme combines EBRD financing with EU-funded advisory support and grant incentives, helping SMEs invest in green technologies, improve efficiency and strengthen their competitiveness.
- 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.
Two Serbian businesses illustrate how this support can translate into practical investments.
Milk House: combining tradition with new technology
Milk House began as a small family dairy near Niš, processing around 500 litres of milk a day using traditional recipes. It now processes around 100,000 litres daily and supplies customers across Serbia.
With support from the EBRD and the EU through SME Go Green, the company is investing in solar energy and modern equipment to make production more efficient, reduce energy costs and support its continued growth.
Tira: powering growth with solar energy
Serbian producer Tira, which makes nuts, grains and nut butters, has installed a rooftop solar power plant with support from the EBRD and the EU.
The investment is helping the company reduce electricity costs and its carbon footprint, while supporting its competitiveness in EU markets where sustainability is increasingly important. The project was financed through SME Go Green, combining EBRD financing with EU grant incentives for investments in green technologies.
Together, the two stories show how targeted financial support can help Western Balkan SMEs make practical changes to their operations – from renewable energy to more efficient production – while preparing their businesses for a greener economy. EBRD provides more details on how SMEs can access support.
SME Go Green is part of a wider range of WBIF private sector programmes helping businesses across the Western Balkans access finance for green transition, digitalisation, innovation and competitiveness. Delivered through local financial institutions in partnership with international financial institutions, these programmes give MSMEs access to tailored financing and, where relevant, advisory support and incentives to invest and grow.
Find out more about SME Go Green and other private sector support programmes in the booklet (March 2026)
Watch a short video on SME Go Green workshop for women entrepreneurs, Belgrade, November 2025
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About WBIF and Global Gateway
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) contributes directly to Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport, while strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion worldwide in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and financial institutions to leverage investments for a transformational impact.