EBRD and EU scale up SME Go Green support in the Western Balkans

• EBRD and EU are expanding SME Go Green Programme to help more SMEs invest in green growth
• The top-up will combine finance, incentives and expert support to unlock additional green investment
• Targeted support for agribusiness value chains and women-led SMEs to drive inclusive green growth

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is scaling up its SME Go Green Programme in the Western Balkans with support from the European Union (EU) through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), building on the robust demand and strong results since the programme was launched in 2023.

On the occasion of the EBRD’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Riga, the European Commission and the EBRD reaffirmed their support for the programme and agreed to continue with its implementation. This additional funding will help more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access green finance in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia over the coming years.

In this second phase, the programme is expected to provide up to €233 million of EBRD credit lines through partner financial institutions, complemented by up to €23.3 million of investment incentives for eligible SMEs and €5.6 million of technical assistance. This support will help businesses to invest in technologies and solutions that reduce their environmental impact, improve energy and resource efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and enhance competitiveness.

Under the SME Go Green Programme, local partner financial institutions lend EBRD funds on 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 to align themselves with EU standards and access new market opportunities.

The second phase of the programme will build on the strong progress achieved to date. By mid-2025, the EBRD had lent €110 million to 15 partner financial institutions, supporting green investments by SMEs across the region. These investments have already contributed to significant energy savings and carbon emission reductions, while helping businesses to modernise their operations and become more resilient to rising energy costs and climate-related risks.

By scaling up this programme, the EBRD and the EU are responding to continued market demand for green finance and helping SMEs to play a greater role in the Western Balkans’ green transition.