“We undertook an in-depth social analysis to develop criteria that reflect the context of Serbia and that seek to benefit those segments of the population who traditionally face additional barriers to accessing the labour market”
Signature(s)
Summary sheet
- Credit lines - Credit lines
The project consists of a loan facility with UniCredit Bank Srbija A.D. focused on supporting local businesses who commit to generate greater socio-economic impact and sustainable growth in Serbia.
The project supports SMEs and mid-caps who commit to generate positive socio-economic impact and contribute towards strengthening economic resilience and sustainable growth in Serbia. The operation aims to enhance the prospects of more resilient and inclusive growth, by creating sustainable employment opportunities and encouraging social inclusion, particularly for young people and women. An improved economic resilience of Serbia would make both the local and hosted communities less vulnerable to shocks and crises as well as address some of the potential drivers of immigration.
Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.
Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.
This operation is covered by the ELM Guarantee.
Disclaimer
Before financing approval by the Board of Directors, and before loan signature, projects are under appraisal and negotiation. The information and data provided on this page are therefore indicative.
They are provided for transparency purposes only and cannot be considered to represent official EIB policy (see also the Explanatory notes).
News & Stories
Inside the project
How and Why
Affordable financing for socially responsible companies
Why
- Credit line that supports inclusive employment of women, youth, old, disabled and displaced
- Creating new job opportunities for vulnerable people
- Equal access to jobs on the Western Balkan markets
How
- Favourable access to financing to promote company business plans, while encouraging introduction of inclusive employment strategies
- Financial incentives for companies that manage to create new opportunities especially for vulnerable groups which are enabled through a €4 million investment grant from the Economic Resilience Initiative Fund
Sectors & Countries
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“Our Impact Finance Facility rewards small and medium-sized enterprises for their support to economically disadvantaged segments of the population.”
Related media
EIB Global’s impact finance operation with Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH receives the Impact-linked Deal of the Year 2022 award from Uxolo
Together with Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH, EIB Global received today a prestigious Uxolo Award for an innovative credit line for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with long-term social impact. The awards ceremony took place during the Uxolo and TXF Global 2023 Development and Impact Finance Conference in Lisbon. The jury selected the winners among the applications submitted in 2022 from around the world, on the merit of innovation, impact and pioneering solutions in the emerging markets.
Serbia: EIB provides €30 million to UniCredit Bank Serbia to improve social impact of SMEs
The EIB and UniCredit Bank Srbija A.D. (UCBS) have signed the first €15 million tranche of an innovative €30 million impact finance loan to help Serbian small, medium and mid-cap companies to improve the social impact of their businesses in areas such as gender equality, youth employment and social inclusion.
Serbia: The EIB and UniCredit promote socially inclusive employment and entrepreneurship
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and UniCredit Bank Serbia (UniCredit) have officially launched a €30 million credit line aimed at supporting the employment, professional training and long-term retention of people from vulnerable social groups. These funds will enable UniCredit to on-lend to Serbian companies that are committed to improving the social impact of their businesses and creating long-term employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women, young people and segments of the population that face higher entry barriers to the labour market. Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the EU Delegation to Serbia attended the launch ceremony, expressing support for this kind of socially-oriented financial instruments.
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