“SME Go Green” in the Western Balkans - EBRD and EU expand support for small and medium-sized enterprises
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is expanding its “SME Go Green” program to six Western Balkan countries with the support of the European Union, planning to extend up to 233 million euros in credit lines in the next phase of the project.
This amount will be complemented by €23.3 million in investment incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and €5.6 million in technical assistance that will help increase access to green finance in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia over the coming years, the EBRD said in a statement.
“This support will help businesses invest in technologies and solutions that reduce their environmental impact, improve energy and resource efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and increase competitiveness,” the bank said.
Under the programme, the EBRD provides funds to partner local financial institutions to lend to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises, while EU-backed investment incentives reduce the cost of green investments for final beneficiaries who also receive technical assistance in project preparation. The programme focuses on agribusiness value chains, renewable energy and support for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises.
The EBRD launched the “SME Go Green” programme in 2023 and has lent €110 million to 15 partner financial institutions by mid-2025, supporting green investments by small and medium-sized enterprises across the region. The first phase of the programme has already contributed to significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions, while helping businesses modernise their operations and become more resilient to rising energy costs and climate-related risks.
EU support is provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
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