Favorable financing for digital and green investments by Serbian businesses
A range of Serbian businesses will be eligible for favorable financing as a result of a €22 million agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad. The accord involves a €20 million EIB loan and a €2 million European Union grant delivered through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). Erste Bank will channel the funds to Serbian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps for digital, green and sustainable agricultural projects.
The agreement marks an important milestone as the first operation in Serbia under the "Innovation and Green Transformation Facility for the Western Balkans".
The financing for digital projects covers SME and mid-cap investments in innovative products and processes, research and artificial intelligence. The green financing is for company projects that tackle climate change through, for example, energy savings and cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The climate component of the financing package is for projects that improve resource efficiency and promote sustainable agriculture, including livestock and crop production.
"We are helping Serbian companies modernise and turn innovation and sustainability into competitive advantage," said EIB's Director for Enlargement and Neighborhood Richard Amor. "Supporting sustainable private-sector-led growth is also essential for strengthening the country's economic resilience and integration into the EU market."
The EU grant will enable companies that receive loans through this agreement to reduce the repayment sum by 10%. The grant component also includes EIB technical assistance to Erste Bank on helping companies prepare bankable projects and on strengthening collaboration with Serbia's innovation network, including support for startups at an early stage of development.
"Supporting entrepreneurs and companies in their transformation is a very important part of Erste Bank's strategy," said Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad Chief Executive Officer Jasna Terzić. "This partnership with the EIB and the European Union allows us to provide favourable financing that will help Serbian businesses accelerate digitalisation, improve sustainability and strengthen their market position. We are particularly proud that this is the first financing facility of its kind available on the Serbian market, bringing innovative support to local businesses."
The project aims to deepen the Western Balkans' economic integration within the EU and support industrial decarbonization and climate resilience.
"By bringing together EIB financing and EU grant support, we are helping Serbian businesses access favourable funding to invest, grow and become more competitive, while also supporting a greener and more resilient economy," said Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia Julian Vassallo. "This operation reflects the EU's continued commitment to Serbia's private sector and to bringing its economy closer to the EU Single Market."
Innovation and Green Transformation Facility 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 the Innovation and Green Transformation Facility and other private sector support programmes in the booklet (March 2026).
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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.