The EBRD is a large-scale investor and an influential development actor with in-depth local and sector-specific knowledge. As a development finance institution with a well-developed approach to impact and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations alongside generating commercial financial returns, the EBRD plays an important role in the growing impact investing landscape.
Together with 60 other organisations, the EBRD signed the Operating Principles for Impact Management in 2019—a market standard for impact investing in which investors seek to generate positive impact for people and the planet alongside financial returns.
The EBRD is also a member of other groups such as the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) and is a signatory of the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI) and the UN Environment Programme’s Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles demonstrating our commitment to align our activity with the global community.
Our partners
The EBRD develops partnerships with an array of stakeholders in local and international business, investment and development communities to facilitate our work. This helps us deploy more effectively and engage locally in ensuring the sustainability of our impact.
How we measure impact
As an impact investor, the EBRD uses a Transition Objectives Measurement System to track performance of EBRD activities to ensure we are achieving our transition objectives as well as to facilitate corrective action to address problems during implementation.
Our Impact Investing footprint
The EBRD engages with impact investors notably via its Treasury operations (EBRD’s Green Bonds and Social Bonds), Loan Syndications activities (B-loans) and Equity investments (both direct and through Funds).
The EBRD’s mission – transition to a sustainable market economy - is closely related to the overarching United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda, with around 80% of our work contributing directly or indirectly to the SDGs.
The link is strongest in areas such as environmentally sustainable economies, economic growth, industry, innovation, infrastructure and gender-equal, inclusive economies.
What we offer - Our products
The EBRD invests primarily in private sector projects on commercial terms. We tailor our financing to suit the individual needs of our clients and offer the full spectrum of financial instruments. These include direct financing and syndication in the form of private, non-sovereign and sovereign guaranteed loans, direct equity, equity funds and Green Economy Finance facilities, which are predominantly designed around operations that create impact on the ground. The EBRD may help borrowers to gain access to the financial market through the provision of guarantees. Various types are available, ranging from all-risk to risk-specific contingent guarantees, but in all cases the maximum exposure must be quantifiable and the credit risk acceptable.
With a triple-A rating, we invest in a wide range of sectors - Financial Institutions, Agribusiness, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Infrastructure and Energy - and are recognised for our leadership in promoting transition to green economies, local currency financing and SME development. By maintaining prudent capital and liquidity levels, and with strong shareholder commitment, the EBRD offers its investors the highest quality assets.
