The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its inaugural Economic Governance Strategy, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening economic governance across the economies where it invests, according to a press release. The strategy covers the period 2026-30 and aims to deepen the Bank’s long-term impact. It was announced on 1 June 2026 and follows a public consultation with stakeholders. Economic governance is one of three priority areas in the EBRD’s new Strategic and Capital Framework. The launch positions governance reform alongside green transition and human capital as central pillars of the Bank’s mandate.
Under the EBRD’s Strategic and Capital Framework for 2026-30, economic governance sits alongside the transition to a green economy and human capital and equality of opportunity for all. Governance lies at the heart of the EBRD’s transition mandate. The Bank has consistently championed the principles of transparency, accountability and fair competition. These are described as essential pillars of open and prosperous market economies. Prior to finalization, the Bank invited stakeholders to provide comments on a draft version between 12 February and 28 March 2026.
The strategy seeks to deepen the Bank’s impact by focusing on long-term, systemic change. It aims to foster competitive business environments and well-governed public and private companies. These conditions are intended to support growth and innovation while mobilizing domestic and foreign capital. Three new operational elements will be introduced to support delivery. Beginning in 2026, every investment and client engagement will undergo systematic screening to identify opportunities for meaningful economic governance reform.
Melis Ekmen Tabojer, the EBRD’s Managing Director for Policy, Strategy and Delivery, said: “This strategy is designed to deliver tangible benefits across the economies where we operate. It will help governments to strengthen institutions, advance reforms and attract investment; it will support improvements to public-sector clients’ service delivery and cost recovery; and it will help private-sector clients to improve corporate governance, meet market standards and strengthen competitiveness.”
She added that financial institutions will be better positioned to allocate capital effectively and build resilience. Consumers will benefit from fairer and more competitive markets. Investors will gain from a more predictable business environment, expanded opportunities and reduced project risks.
Economic Governance Action Plans will translate identified reform potential into coherent, project-specific engagements, consolidating activities across transition qualities. Sector Reform Roadmaps will establish structured, longer-term reform pathways in priority sectors and countries. Operational delivery will be supported by reporting and targets, alongside a Performance and Impact Monitoring Framework with quantitative and qualitative metrics. Narrative insights will be published in the EBRD’s annual Impact Report. The EBRD is owned by 77 countries, as well as the EU and the EIB, and since its establishment in 1991 has invested more than €220 billion in economies on three continents.
