“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)
Amount (.*)
€ 34,000,000
Countries
Sector(s)
Serbia
: € 34,000,000
Credit lines
: € 34,000,000
Signature date(s)
8/05/2024 : € 2,000,000
22/06/2020 : € 2,000,000
22/06/2020 : € 15,000,000
28/12/2023 : € 15,000,000
Link to source
Other links
Summary sheet
Release date
25 October 2019
Status
Reference
Signed | 22/06/2020
20180329
Project name
Promoter - financial intermediary
UCBS IMPACT INCENTIVE LOAN FOR SMES & MID-CAPS
UNICREDIT BANK SRBIJA AD BEOGRAD
Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)
Total cost (Approximate amount)
EUR 34 million
not applicable
Location
Sector(s)
- Credit lines - Credit lines
Description
Objectives
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.
Environmental aspects
Procurement
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.
Under ELM Guarantee
This operation is covered by the ELM Guarantee.
Link to source
Summary sheet
Other links
News & Stories
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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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Stories
Employing more women construction engineers
“Since we are already fostering inclusivity practices, our motivation for applying for this loan was to further develop these efforts, while reducing costs, effectively aligning value with purpose.”
The construction sector is particularly challenging for female workers due to long working hours and physically demanding conditions. With over 150 employees, the Belgrade company RAS Inžinjering is looking to address these issues with its inclusivity practices.
In the past, the company has traditionally employed women in its administration, bookkeeping, and financial departments, as well as for warehouse and human resources operations. They primarily held office positions.
However, over the last five years ago, the company began hiring female construction engineers and introduced a balanced ratio of men and women, when bringing on new engineers.
The construction sector is also unique for its highly flexible payment-due dates, often extending up to four months. Additionally, the prices of construction materials can fluctuate significantly in the market, impacting the cost of projects that may take two to three years to complete. Without access to bank credit lines or sufficient internal resources, a company may struggle to complete a project.
“Our Impact Finance Facility rewards small and medium-sized enterprises for their support to economically disadvantaged segments of the population.”
Fostering inclusivity in the poultry sector
When it comes to agriculture, social responsibility practices are gradually being implemented to ensure the competitiveness of Serbian products in the other markets. Although the country has yet to align its poultry sector regulations with the European Union, egg-production company Animal Commerce is already adopting the necessary practices to meet EU market expectations once exports are permitted. Inclusivity in employment is also a part of these efforts.
As the company’s business premises are located in Vojvodina, a region known for its multiculturalism, the company already provides equal opportunities within its local community. However, it wanted to step up these efforts and integrate inclusivity practices into its management strategy. The impact incentive credit line, along with accompanying technical assistance, has made this possible.
“What is new as a result of this credit line is the formalization of inclusivity processes and policies within our company's framework.”
Reviving workforce interest in the struggling textile sector
“Our industry is labour-intensive, demanding significant employee involvement in both production and sales. That’s why we focus on enhancing the work environment through continuous training and education.”
Serbian textile company Jasmil, a beneficiary of this credit line, has long been committed to supporting the employment of women and people with disabilities. As a large company, it requires a wide range of roles, but attracting and retaining the workforce in the textile industry is particularly challenging due to the significant influx of imports from the Far East. Given current market conditions, the company recognizes the critical value of a skilled workforce and the need to work closely with them.
It applied for the loan to further promote the inclusion of women in all aspects of its operations and invest in working capital, committed to contribute to increasing the employment of women, especially in the municipalities where its production facilities are located, while also boosting the number of female managers.
Appointing women to managerial positions
Uspon Tehnika, a Čačak-based company, welcomed the opportunity to secure affordable financing for its business expansion, while promoting employment. Specialized in computer assembly and the distribution of technical equipment, the company nurtures a family atmosphere among its workforce, which now exceeds 100 employees.
Since securing the loan, the company has hired 25 new employees, including six women and 19 individuals under the age of 30. In addition to supporting business expansion, these new financial resources have enabled the promotion of women to leadership positions. It has also contributed to an increase in employment and the inclusion of individuals from marginalized groups.
“The credit line has given us the added momentum to invest in our employees through various trainings and programmes. ”
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Serbia: EIB provides €30 million to UniCredit Bank Serbia to improve social impact of SMEs
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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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