The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a new credit line aimed at boosting financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans under the EU-supported SME Go Green program.
The program kicks off with €120 million in targeted financing for SMEs in Serbia and the region, with plans to grow to €400 million over the coming years.
Supported by EU grants through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs by offering financial access for investments that align with EU and international standards.
EU support includes a €24.94 million contribution, which will aid the €120 million EBRD credit line. The funds are specifically allocated to green economy investments, such as energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and renewable energy, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the region.
One of the key focuses of the SME Go Green initiative is to help Serbia’s agribusiness sector adopt more sustainable practices while boosting resilience to climate change risks. The program also aims to promote gender equality in business by dedicating funds for women-led SMEs.
As an incentive, SMEs that successfully complete their projects will be eligible for a refund of 10% of the loan amount, or 15% for investments in renewable energy and the agribusiness value chain.
SME Go Green builds on the success of the previous SME Competitiveness Support Program in Serbia, which provided €50 million in EBRD funds, supplemented with an additional €9.54 million from EU grants.
The official launch event for the program, held at the European House in Belgrade, was attended by key figures including Matteo Colangeli, Regional Director of the EBRD for the Western Balkans, Nicola Bertolini, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Serbia, and Katarina Obradović Jovanović, Assistant Minister of Economy. During the event, a €5 million loan agreement was signed with NLB Komercijalna Banka as part of the initiative.
The EBRD has been a leading institutional investor in Serbia, with over €9 billion invested in 364 projects to date, focusing on strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector and supporting the country’s transition to green energy and sustainable infrastructure.
