The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide up to €40 million in financing to UniCredit Leasing Serbia through the newly launched Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework. This facility is designed to support leasing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia, enabling them to expand their operations while encouraging greater investment in environmentally sustainable assets.
The Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework is an innovative green finance tool that uses outcome-based incentives to motivate financial institutions to increase green lending for SMEs and mid-cap companies. Its goal is to raise standards for green lending practices while also meeting the broader financing needs of smaller businesses. The framework is closely aligned with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s mission in the Western Balkans, which focuses on fostering private-sector growth and accelerating the shift to greener, more resilient economies.
Matteo Patrone, EBRD Vice President for Banking, said in a statement, “We are glad to partner with UniCredit Leasing Serbia to channel this innovative green financing into the heart of Serbia’s SME and mid-cap sector. This project exemplifies how the WB GOLD framework translates finance into real-world environmental outcomes and sustainable growth.”
Nikola Vuletić, President of the Management Board of UniCredit Bank, mentioned, “Through this initiative, we provide small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia with access to more favourable financing for green investments – from energy-efficient equipment to renewable energy sources. UniCredit Leasing Serbia thus contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic economy and accelerating the green transition. By using specific financial instruments, our clients get more flexible access to modern technologies that bring long-term benefits for the environment.”
By helping local businesses invest in technologies such as energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy systems, the framework aims to deliver tangible environmental benefits while strengthening business competitiveness. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the leading institutional investor in Serbia, with over €10 billion invested across 382 projects. Its work in the country prioritises private-sector competitiveness, the green economy transition and sustainable infrastructure.
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