EBRD and EU expand funding for digital and green investments

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) are stepping up their support for the green transition across the Western Balkans and for digital development across the regions outside the EU where the EBRD operates, according to a press release published on 05 June 2026. A top-up of €150 million in European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) guarantees from the EU under its Global Gateway initiative will expand two programmes already implemented by the EBRD. The funding aims to accelerate digital and climate projects across multiple regions. It also strengthens cooperation between the EBRD and the EU as long-standing partners. The announcement underscores a shared push to scale up green and digital finance.

The EBRD has been partnering with the EU on these two existing EFSD+ guarantee programmes since 2020. The guarantees have already supported high-impact investments and unlocked funding from the private sector for a wide variety of partners and businesses. Examples include crucial energy suppliers in Ukraine and resource-efficient production processes in North Africa. They have also helped expand digital access to rural areas in several countries. The new top-up builds on these earlier results.

Of the €150 million top-up, €100 million will boost investments in digital infrastructure and services in the Western Balkans, Türkiye, Central Asia, Mongolia, Iraq, the southern Mediterranean, as well as eastern Europe and the south Caucasus. The remaining €50 million will support climate resilience in the Western Balkans through projects with a green component in the industrial, buildings, municipal and sustainable logistics sectors and, for the first time, agribusiness. The funding addresses growing demand for finance in the digital sector and for climate-resilient and green industrial development. It also covers sustainable municipal infrastructure, efficient logistics and interconnectivity. Both components are described as critical enablers for competitiveness, innovation and inclusive growth.

“Building a modern, reliable digital infrastructure and providing green finance are two of our top priorities at the Bank,” said Mark Bowman, EBRD Vice President, Policy and Partnerships.

He added that the Bank is delighted to further deepen its cooperation with the European Union as its key partner and donor across three continents. Dubravka Šuica, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, said deepening cooperation with international financial institutions such as the EBRD mobilizes the investment power needed to deliver long-term impact. She noted that the partnership is securing increased guarantees and funding for projects in the Mediterranean region, particularly in infrastructure and digital services. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said the new money will help neighbours build better digital services for their citizens and projects that protect and preserve the environment.

The expanded guarantees reinforce the EBRD–EU partnership across the Western Balkans and other regions where the Bank operates. They channel additional resources to digital infrastructure and to climate-resilient industries, buildings, municipalities, logistics and agribusiness. The programmes continue to draw on private-sector co-financing alongside EU-backed guarantees. They build on five years of joint implementation under the EFSD+ framework. The announcement confirms a sustained commitment to advancing the digital and green transition.