The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) have signed €5 million in financing agreements with ProCredit Bank AD Skopje to expand access to finance for women and young entrepreneurs in North Macedonia, according to a press release issued on 04 May 2026. The package is delivered under the Women in Business (WiB) and Youth in Business (YiB) programmes. It marks ProCredit Bank’s second transaction under each programme. The EU is backing both facilities with technical assistance and a first-loss counter-guarantee. The financing aims to reinforce inclusive entrepreneurship across the country.
The package consists of a €2.5 million senior unsecured loan under the Western Balkans WiB Phase II programme and a €2.5 million senior unsecured loan under the Western Balkans YiB programme. EU support is channelled through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus programme. ProCredit Bank AD Skopje is a longstanding partner of the EBRD. It is one of the leading lenders to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in North Macedonia. The bank maintains a strong focus on responsible banking and sustainable development.
The proceeds of both loans will be 100 per cent on-lent to eligible women-led and youth-led MSMEs. The funds are intended to improve access to long-term finance for groups that continue to face structural barriers in the financial sector. The WiB loan will support women-led MSMEs and foster business growth across the country, including outside the capital. The YiB loan will support MSMEs owned or managed by entrepreneurs under the age of 35. It is expected to help young people develop sustainable businesses and create jobs that will strengthen national economic resilience.
Fatih Türkmenoğlu, EBRD Head of North Macedonia, said: “Supporting women and young people in business is central to building more inclusive, resilient and competitive economies. Through this €5 million package with ProCredit Bank, we are reinforcing our long term partnership and helping ensure that women and youth led enterprises across North Macedonia have access to the finance they need to invest, grow and create jobs.”
Stevce Kuzmanovski, Member of Management Board, highlighted the shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic business environment. Michalis Rokas, Ambassador to the EU, underlined that expanding access to finance is key to unlocking North Macedonia’s economic potential. Both noted the role of the initiative in job creation and inclusive growth.
The EBRD is a major institutional investor in North Macedonia, having invested over €3 billion in more than 210 projects across the country. The renewed cooperation with ProCredit Bank builds on previous WiB and YiB financing cycles, which recorded strong demand. The partners expect equally high demand in the new cycle. The financing reinforces ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurship and sustainable development. It further consolidates the long-term partnership among the EBRD, the EU, and ProCredit Bank AD Skopje.
