>1.9 MILLION
Number of indirect jobs supported by MSEs receiving financing through Partner Lending Institutions* (cumulative)
of which, women > 780,000
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 and small 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.
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 and small enterprises (MSEs) 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.
As of Q1 2022
* 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 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.
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