The European Investment Bank will invest €187 million in Western Balkan businesses to accelerate their shift toward green technology and digital innovation. EIB Global’s new Innovation and Green Transformation Facility combines €170 million in loans with €17 million in EU grants, focusing on small and medium companies ready to modernize operations or adopt sustainable practices, according to an EIB press release. The initiative advances the EU’s efforts to align the region with European green and digital standards.
Access to affordable financing remains a major hurdle for Balkan businesses wanting to upgrade technology or improve environmental performance. The facility addresses this gap by partnering with local banks to finance cybersecurity systems, sustainable farming operations, and climate adaptation projects. Companies can also secure funding for eco-tourism ventures designed to protect local ecosystems while generating revenue.
Technical support accompanies the financing. EIB Global will work with business incubators, science parks, and research centers to deliver training, mentoring, and professional exchanges. The bank is exploring a partnership with the UN Development Programme in North Macedonia to extend technical assistance across all six Western Balkan countries.
“The IGTF is more than a financing tool: it’s a catalyst for transformation,” said Björn Gabriel, EIB Global’s representative to North Macedonia. The facility will help local businesses “innovate, grow sustainably and align with EU standards” while strengthening their position in export markets. Gabriel expects the program to generate sustainable employment and foster more inclusive economic growth across the region.
Operations begin in the first half of 2026. The facility forms part of the EU’s broader integration strategy for the Western Balkans, using green technology and digital infrastructure investments to prepare the region for eventual EU membership.
