Access to long-term financing remains one of the structural constraints facing Serbia’s private sector. In response, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a new financing initiative worth €50 million aimed at supporting the growth and modernization of small and medium-sized enterprises across the country. The funding is provided through ProCredit Bank Serbia, which will channel the capital toward SME lending and green investment projects.
The financing structure includes a €40 million credit line targeting SMEs nationwide and an additional €10 million facility dedicated to digital transformation projects. At least 30 % of the financing is earmarked for green investments, reflecting the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental standards within the Serbian economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of Serbia’s economy, generating the majority of employment and private-sector value creation. Yet access to long-term capital has historically been limited due to banking-sector risk assessments and collateral requirements.
By expanding SME credit availability, the program aims to stimulate investment in technology upgrades, productivity improvements and export competitiveness. The initiative also includes technical assistance programs designed to help businesses adopt EU standards and improve environmental performance.
For Serbia’s economic development strategy, such initiatives are crucial. Increasing the competitiveness of SMEs is considered essential for moving the country toward higher value-added industrial production and integration into European supply chains.
