The European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF) have been pivotal in shaping the economic landscape of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) over recent years. In 2024 alone, the EIB Group’s financing in key CEE markets has reached impressive levels—for instance, Poland received €5.7 billion, while Romania secured €2.49 billion in new financing, contributing to a total of €28 billion over the past five years.
Croatia also saw a record investment of €1.24 billion, focusing on green initiatives in transport, urban development, and business sectors. Across the region, countries such as Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia have benefited from targeted investments supporting green transition, digitalisation and infrastructure development.
This article maps out the latest EIB and EIF financing news in CEE, detailing how these funds are being deployed to modernise cities, boost energy efficiency, and support small and medium businesses.
Poland
On 23 January 2025, the EIF and Bank Pekao signed an InvestEU portfolio guarantee agreement to boost sustainable development of Polish SMEs. With a guarantee of €19.06 million, Bank Pekao will extend up to €297,73 million in financing to around 4,000 companies, focusing on startups, microbusinesses, and climate-friendly projects.
On 13 February 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Investment Fund (EIF), Santander Bank Polska, and Santander Leasing signed an agreement to provide up to €1.19 billion in funding for Polish SMEs, focusing on businesses promoting gender equality. A third of the funds will support companies led by women or addressing the gender gap. The deal includes a synthetic securitisation agreement, with €928.3 million invested to reduce Santander’s risks, facilitating new lending.
In 2024, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group increased its financing to Poland by 10%, reaching €5.7 billion, supporting urban development, energy transition, and business competitiveness. The EIB also funded Poland’s first satellite program with €300 million, marking its largest single defence investment. In support of SMEs, the European Investment Fund (EIF) doubled its financing to €1.3 billion, aiding 35,000 companies and creating 225,000 jobs.
Looking ahead, the EIB’s 2025 investment plan is set at €95 billion, with a focus on energy transition, innovation, and defence. In January 2025, the EIB committed €400 million to the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm, marking significant progress in Poland’s energy transition.
Bulgaria
This year, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is significantly boosting Bulgaria’s economic development with several key financial agreements. The EIB has provided Postbank with a €75 million guarantee to unlock up to €150 million in loans for Bulgarian SMEs, particularly those led by women or focused on innovation, sustainability, and climate-friendly projects.
Additionally, the EIB is lending Bulgaria €250 million to co-finance EU-backed projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, upgrading wastewater treatment, and improving transport and research infrastructure. The funding will support initiatives to boost competitiveness, digitalisation, and Bulgaria’s green transition, improving the country’s overall quality of life and economic growth. These efforts are part of the EIB’s broader strategy to strengthen Bulgaria’s infrastructure and innovation landscape, ensuring long-term sustainable development.
Romania
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group provided €2.49 billion in financing to Romania in 2024, leading to a total of €5.27 billion in investments.
The funding covered six strategic priorities, including climate action (€968 million), digitalization (€320 million), and social infrastructure (€25.2 million). Key initiatives included the modernization of the Caransebes-Timisoara-Arad railway (€600 million), enhancing the capital’s district heating (€34 million), and €150 million for a zero-emissions tire factory in Oradea.
In 2024, EIF committed to the country over €820 million in equity, guarantee and inclusive finance operations. EIF also continued to work together with the Government of Romania by launching the Innovation Romania programme targeting early-stage innovative companies via new technology transfer and equity funds.
Czech Republic
In March 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) pledged €55 million to Ceska Sporitelna (CSAS), enabling €228 million in new financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Caps. This guarantee, which applies to the mezzanine tranche of a synthetic securitisation, will help CSAS unlock CZK 5.7 billion (€228 million) in total financing for Czech businesses.
The operation is designed to stimulate innovation and regional development, benefiting around 80% of the new lending in less-developed areas.
Slovakia
The EIB provided Slovakia with a €240 million loan in March 2025, marking the first part of an €800 million loan package for co-funding EU-supported green and digital projects. This loan is the first part of a total €800 million EIB loan approved for Slovakia to help meet national contributions required for projects funded by the European Union.
This financing aims to enhance Slovakia’s research, innovation, and energy transition, focusing on energy efficiency, climate resilience, and renewable energy. Slovakia will use the funds for projects improving the competitiveness of SMEs, digital connectivity, and sustainable water and biodiversity protection.
In 2024, the EIB Group increased its financing in Slovakia by 21%, bringing the total to €355 million. Out of those, €65 million was allocated to help Slovak SMEs and Mid-Caps drive job creation and climate action.
Greece
The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided Greece with €2.2 billion in financing for 2025, which will support key areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and disaster management.
Major initiatives included a €390 million loan for solar parks, €150 million for electricity grid upgrades, and €702 million allocated to SMEs and Mid-Caps. This included €300 million in guarantees to Eurobank and National Bank of Greece, covering €600 million in new loans for Mid-Caps. An additional €250 million loan to National Bank of Greece supported green investments by Greek SMEs and Mid-Caps.
Alongside EIB, the EIF provided €152 million in portfolio guarantees, expected to mobilize up to €1.8 billion in financing for SMEs, supporting innovation and digital transition.
Over the past five years, the EIB Group has provided €14.5 billion in financing to Greece.
Croatia
On March 7th, 2025, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group provided €132 million in support to Erste&Steiermärkische Bank (ESB) in Croatia. The package includes a €100 million guarantee from the EIB and two portfolio guarantees totaling €32 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF). ESB plans to use the EIB guarantee to generate up to €280 million in new financing for Croatian Mid-Caps, with favorable terms such as lower interest rates and increased risk-taking opportunities.
The EIF’s €32 million support aims to boost lending to micro-entrepreneurs (€24 million) and social enterprises (€16 million), especially focusing on startups, first-time borrowers, and financial inclusion. This initiative is part of the expanded EIF-ESB cooperation under the InvestEU programme. It is expected to drive growth, job creation, and social impact, with ESB having already provided €926 million in loans through its partnership with the EIB and EIF.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s new financing in Croatia has reached a record level of €1.24 billion in 2024, with major support aimed at greening transport, cities and businesses. The total financing for 2024 included €937 million from the EIB and €303,2 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as Mid-Caps in Europe.
Western Balkans
For now there is no specific financing from EIB for Albanian SME’s nor Mid-Caps. Only recent news is that EIB Global, has signed a €100 million loan with Albania under a Team Europe financial package for the modernisation and electrification of a 120 km railway line from Vorë in central Albania to Hani i Hotit on the border with Montenegro.
Since 2010, EIB Global has provided €420 million for key transportation, water supply, energy and private sector projects in Albania under the Team Europe initiative.
The EIB also extended a €100 million loan to Montenegro for renewable energy projects. The financing will support efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, while promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. This support aligns with Montenegro’s EU integration goals and green transition efforts.
In March this year, the EIB also granted North Macedonia a €70 million loan to support the expansion of its transportation infrastructure. The funding will help improve road networks and reduce travel times, thus promoting regional connectivity.
Serbia secured €150 million in funding from the EIB to support energy efficiency and infrastructure projects. Additionally, the EIB’s funding will support Serbia’s ongoing efforts to align with EU environmental standards.
Slovenia
EIB Group provided €284 million of new financing in Slovenia last year (2024), boosting the energy transition, business innovation and capital markets. Out of those, €130 million are from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which targets micro companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
A highlight last year was a €40 million EIF pledge to the Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund to build up technology transfer in Slovenia as well as Croatia. The fund prioritises early-stage businesses, fosters innovation and protects intellectual property, strengthening Slovenia’s venture-capital ecosystem.
Since 1996, the EIF has facilitated €531 million in financing for approximately 8,000 Slovenian enterprises.
