The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) officially launched its InvestEU Portfolio Risk Sharing Facility in Romania on 20 May 2026, marking a major step forward in mobilising sustainable private and public investment across the country, according to a press release by the EBRD. The launch event was held in Bucharest. Through its InvestEU guarantees, the EBRD expects to mobilise new green financing by banks of more than €270 million for Romanian individuals and businesses. The financing aims to ensure energy savings and carbon emissions reduction. LIBRA Internet Bank is the first bank onboarded to the programme in the country.
InvestEU is a flagship initiative of the European Union aimed at supporting strategic investments in sustainable infrastructure, research, innovation and digitalisation, small and medium-sized businesses, and social investment and skills. It provides a guarantee mechanism to unlock financing that might not otherwise be available. The initiative focuses on projects that promote long-term growth and resilience. The EBRD is one of the leading implementing partners of the InvestEU Programme. It deploys portfolio risk-sharing instruments for financial intermediaries across the EU economies where it invests.
The guarantees will be available to a wide range of borrowers, from private individuals to large corporates, and will unlock funding for projects focused on energy-efficient buildings and sustainable transport. For Romanian households and businesses, this translates into improved financing terms, reduced collateral requirements, and more opportunities to invest in sustainable growth. Alongside the guarantees, the EBRD will also provide local banks and final borrowers with comprehensive technical assistance funded through the InvestEU Advisory Hub. More local financial institutions are expected to join the programme in the near future. The projects will support Romania’s climate goals and EBRD’s green transition priorities.
The EBRD’s InvestEU guarantees and advisory support in Romania are financed by the country’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, which the Romanian government has contributed to the InvestEU programme’s Member State Compartment for Romania. By working with local financial institutions and market players, the EBRD ensures that InvestEU support is delivered efficiently and is aligned with local needs and opportunities. Romania joins Bulgaria, Croatia, and other EU markets in rolling out the programme. Speaking at the launch event in Bucharest, EBRD representatives highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with Romanian banks, businesses and the government in delivering the full potential of this programme. The article was authored by Vanora Bennett.
The launch marks the start of a new phase aimed at closing the sustainable investment gap and accelerating Romania’s green transition. The EBRD has been a long-standing partner of Romania in supporting private sector development and sustainable growth. The Bank is a major institutional investor in Romania. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €12.4 billion in 589 projects in the country. The rollout in Romania reinforces the EBRD’s role as a key implementing partner of the InvestEU Programme across EU markets.