EBRD Invests €15 Million In Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosnia For Green And Digital Initiatives

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced substantial funding for Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosnia and Herzegovina, totaling €15 million. This financial support is divided into €7 million under the SME Go Green Programme and €8 million under the Go Digital in Bosnia and Herzegovina Programme.

Funded in part by incentive payments and technical assistance from the European Union, these initiatives are aimed at bolstering green technologies and digital transformation across Bosnian SMEs.

The €7 million loan from the SME Go Green Programme will facilitate investments in energy-efficient and renewable energy projects. A significant portion will focus on enhancing sustainability within agribusiness supply chains, reducing environmental impact, and promoting climate finance accessibility for women-led SMEs. The programme targets delivering at least 70% of its funds to Green Economy Transition (GET) eligible projects, aiming to elevate SME competitiveness and trade standards.

Under the Go Digital in BiH Programme, the €8 million funding aims to elevate Bosnian SMEs to EU standards in environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and product quality and safety. This will be achieved through increased automation and digitalization of operational processes. The programme, aligning with the European Commission’s Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, seeks to empower the private sector in embracing digital transformation, thereby enhancing economic benefits across the region.

Intesa Sanpaolo Banka d.d. Bosnia and Herzegovina views these initiatives as pivotal for fostering innovation, sustainability, and growth among local SMEs. This marks the bank’s second engagement under the Go Digital in BiH Programme, following a successful utilization of a previous €8 million loan signed in December 2022.

Since its inception in 1996, the EBRD has invested over €3 billion in 223 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Strategic priorities include promoting the green economy, supporting private sector competitiveness, and fostering regional integration.