EFSE: Sustainable financing for entrepreneurs and households since 2005

The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) is an impact fund that takes a comprehensive approach to fostering economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the EU Eastern Neighbourhood Region.

By investing in local financial infrastructure that provides dedicated financing to micro, small and medium enterprises, the fund supports the backbone of these regions' economy. What is more, EFSE helps create the conditions for local businesses to thrive by building the capacity of local financial institutions or facilitating knowledge-sharing through its Development Facility, and by providing on-the-ground training and mentorship through its Entrepreneurship Academy. In this way, the fund aims to achieve impact on both an individual and systemic level.

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  • “With the two loans we were provided, we were able to buy the new equipment, and are now able to work better and increase our productivity.”

    Neonila Stadnik | Founder, Prolisok Farmhouse | Agroprosperis Bank, Ukraine

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  • “Events like the EFSE Entrepreneurship Tournament provide entrepreneurs not only with visibility, but also connect them to the resources to succeed.”

    Markus Aschendorf | Chairman, EFSE Development Facility

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  • “We have a lot of work, and I have a lot of plans.”

    Marco Šunjić | Metalworker and business owner | CEPOR, Croatia

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  • “My business needs to adapt to changes and challenges as they arise. That’s why I work with Patria Credit.”

    Mladen Marian | Vegetable producer | Patria Credit IFN, Romania

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Our Impact

EFSE's mission is to foster economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the EU Eastern Neighbourhood Region by supporting the success of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and improving living conditions for households.

That is why EFSE invests in the ability of local financial infrastructure to supply the resources entrepreneurs and families need to thrive. By enabling these groups' access to responsible financing, EFSE strives for long-term, systemic impact.

The fund's investment activities are complemented by the nonfinancial support of the EFSE Development Facility, which builds capacities, facilitates knowledge exchange, and nourishes an environment for entrepreneurs to grow.

OUR IMPACT IN DETAIL

As of Q2 2023

>2.1 MILLION

Number of indirect jobs supported by MSMEs receiving financing through Partner Lending Institutions* (cumulative)

of which, women > 896,260 

EUR 6.4 BILLION

Total volume of sub-loans enabled for MSMEs through EFSE financing (cumulative)

 

> 1.1 Million

Number of sub-loans facilitated to MSMEs and households (cumulative)

75%

Share of total rural and MSMEs sub-loans disbursed below EUR 20,000 (current)

82%

Share of total MSMEs and rural sub-loans disbursed in local currency (current)

46%

Percentage of Partner Lending Institutions with dedicated rural & agri outstanding investments from EFSE (current)

> 40,808

Number of Financial Institution staff and entrepreneurs trained on EFSE priority topics (cumulative)

of which, women: >16,965

* Figure draws on Partner Lending Institutions reporting and estimations by EFSE.

The Fund

EFSE is a pioneering impact investment fund. Its blended finance structure set a precedent for combining capital from public and private investors in order to mobilise more resources for sustainable development. EFSE's solid, fifteen-year track record in expanding financial inclusion has made it a role model for development finance.

THE FUND IN DETAIL

The Development Facility

The EFSE Development Facility provides customised technical assistance, training, and other support to institutions, organisations, and individuals across the financial sector and the wider ecosystem. By expanding capacities, opening up access to resources, promoting best practices for sustainable finance, and more, the Development Facility multiplies in the impact and outreach of the fund, creating conditions for sustainable entrepreneurship to thrive.

The Development Facility IN DETAIL

Woman and man working together textile production facility
At its core, entrepreneurship is turning inspiration into success.

News & Events

EFSE has supported Akbank, İşbank, Denizbank and QNB Finansbank for their ongoing earthquake response efforts in the impacted regions through IFC-led…

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Luxembourg and Frankfurt am Main, 26 October 2023 – The Development Facility of the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE DF) and Euromoney…

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OeEB's continued investments amidst the Russian war in Ukraine signals confidence in EFSE's ability to support MSMEs and financial institutions in…

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Luxembourg andChișinău, 24 November 2022 The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) has provided EUR 20 million equivalent in Moldovan Leu to…

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• Impact investment funds provide local currency financing and technical assistance to financial institutions to build resilient and sustainable…

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EFSE and GGF make contributions to enhance business resilience in Ukraine

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Luxembourg and Bucharest, 07 November 2022 – The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), an impact investment fund focusing on fostering economic…

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The USD 10 million five-year facility is part of the EFSE crisis response package to support Armenian MSMEs that operate in critical sectors

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Luxembourg and Yerevan, 04 October 2022 - SmartGateVC is partnering with the Development Facility of the European Fund for Southeast Europe…

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Strengthening Bank Lviv's IT infrastructure to ensure business continuity

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Get in touch

Interested in learning more about how the fund works, or seeking partnership opportunities? Contact an EFSE representative today.

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