EBRD and EU scale up SME Go Green support in the Western Balkans
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), is scaling up the SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans.
The European Commission and the EBRD reaffirmed their support for the programme at the EBRD 2026 Annual Meeting and Business Forum on 6 June 2026. The additional funding will help extend access to green finance for SMEs in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia over the coming years.
The SME Go Green Programme enables local partner financial institutions to on-lend EBRD funds to eligible SMEs, while EU-supported investment incentives reduce the cost of green investments for final beneficiaries. Technical assistance supports project preparation, verification, awareness-raising and capacity building for both financial institutions and SMEs.
The programme places particular emphasis on agribusiness value chains, renewable energy and support for women-led SMEs, while also helping businesses align with EU standards and access new market opportunities.
The programme builds on strong progress achieved under Phase I. As of mid-2025, the EBRD had signed €110 million in loans with 15 partner financial institutions, supporting green investments by SMEs across the region. These investments have already contributed to significant energy savings and carbon emissions reductions, while helping businesses modernise their operations and improve resilience to rising energy costs and climate-related risks.
The new top-up to the programme will support a second phase of implementation, building on strong demand and early results achieved since the programme's launch in 2023.
Under the second phase, the programme is expected to provide up to €155 million in EBRD credit lines through partner financial institutions, complemented by up to €23.3 million in investment incentives for eligible SMEs and €5.6 million in technical assistance. The support will help businesses invest in technologies and solutions that reduce environmental impact, improve energy and resource efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and enhance competitiveness.
By scaling up the programme, the EBRD and the EU are responding to continued market demand for green finance and helping SMEs play a bigger role in the Western Balkans' green transition.
Find out more about SME Go Green and other private sector support programmes at: https://wbif.eu/sectors/private-sector-2024
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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.