EFSE and Şekerbank strengthen sustainable finance capabilities through the E&S Academy initiative

Mostar, 16 September 2026 – he European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) and Şekerbank are strengthening their longstanding partnership through the E&S Academy initiative, a technical assistance project designed to further embed environmental and social (E&S) risk management and sustainable finance principles across the Bank’s operations. The project aims to enhance internal capacities and support the continued integration of sustainability considerations into Şekerbank’s business activities.  

Building on years of cooperation between EFSE and Şekerbank, the E&S Academy provides a comprehensive training programme on environmental and social risk management and sustainable finance. The programme combines tailored training sessions and dedicated e-learning modules to further strenghten E&S knowledge and expertise across the Bank. The training programme provides employees with practical knowledge and tools to identify, assess and manage environmental and social risks in financing activities While helping translate techniacl E&S requirements into practical and understandable approaches for day-to-day business and customer engagement.    

The initiative is complemented by Şekerbank’s “Sustainable Impact Representatives”, a network of employees from different functions who support the wider dissemination of sustainability knowledge and practices across the Bank. By bringing together employees from differenet functions and business areas, the initiative aims to create a multiplier effect, helping strengthen E&S know-how across the organization and making sustainability-related practices more accessible and applicable in customer-facing activities.  

The E&S Academy is also expected to contribute to the further development of Şekerbank’s sustainable finance offering. Through stronger internal capabilities and greater sustainability awareness, the Bank aims to further expand its capacity to deliver responsible financing solutions to SMEs, microenterprises, and agricultural clients across Türkiye.

Together, the E&S Academy and Sustainable Impact Representatives support the Bank’s efforts to strengthen E&S capacity across the organization and further integrate sustainability into its business processes.   

"As sustainable finance continues to evolve, financial institutions need the expertise and internal systems required to integrate environmental and social considerations into everyday decision-making. The E&S Academy is designed to help transform sustainability from a specialist function into a shared institutional capability. Through our partnership with Şekerbank, we are supporting the development of knowledge and skills that can strengthen responsible finance practices over the long term," said Jacob Ole Nestingen, Mandate Manager of the EFSE DF. 

Fatma Nur ÇETİNEL, Executive Vice President, Treasury & Financial Institutions at Sekerbank, commented on the Bank’s longstanding partnership with EFSE: “Since our establishment, financing agriculture, production and rural development has been among Şekerbank’s priorities. Through our longstanging partnership with EFSE, which began in 2011, we have signed many collaborations over the years, supporting access to finance for farmers and businesses in rural areas. In 2026, we have further strengthened this partnership through a EUR 50 million investment in sustainable agriculture that supports agricultural productivity, resilience and sustainability. And now through the E&S Training Academy, we will be building on Sekerbank’s established environmental and social practices and expertise, taking our existing approach to a new level of depth, consistency and organization-wide ownership. As the global sustainability agenda moves from commitment to implementation, including in the run-up to COP31, strengthening the capacity of financial institutions to translate sustainable finance into real-economy impact will be increasingly important”

 

About EFSE

An impact investment fund established in 2005, the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) aims to foster economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the European Eastern Neighborhood Region. EFSE was initiated by KfW Development Bank with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission. As the first public-private partnership of its kind, EFSE draws its capital from donor agencies, international financial institutions, and private institutional investors. Finance in Motion Asset Management S.à r.l., serves as EFSE’s Portfolio Manager and Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A., Luxembourg, acts as manager.  

For more information on the European Fund for Southeast Europe, please visit: www.efse.lu  

About Finance in Motion

Finance in Motion structures, manages, and advises almost €4 billion across 10 funds, all classified as SFDR Article 9. These private market funds drive impact for people and planet through regional financial intermediaries, direct investments, advisory and capacity building. Founded in Germany, with local expertise from Latin America to Eastern Europe, it has been investing in emerging markets for over 20 years.  

For more information, please visit: www.finance-in-motion-com    
 

About Şekerbank

Şekerbank T.A.Ş. is one of the most well-established banks in Türkiye, distinguished by its focus on inclusive banking thanks to its high geographical coverage throughout the country. With 72% of branches located outside of Türkiye’s three main metropolises, Şekerbank operates with approximately 239 branches, a majority of which have been serving in the same location for over half a century. Established in 1953 with the aim of supporting sustainable agricultural production and industry, the Bank remains committed to its founding mission, which is promoting rural sustainable development from social, environmental and economic perspectives. Şekerbank has upheld longstanding relations with Development Finance Institutions reflecting its key role in ensuring access to finance for micro and small enterprises, farmers and women entrepreneurs in addition to supporting broad-based energy efficiency investments, particularly in rural areas. 

 

Media Contacts: 

EFSE: Nusha Westhoff 
Director Marketing & Communications 
+49 69 271 035-789 
press@efse.lu

Şekerbank: Özlem Karabilen  
Group Head of Corporate Communication and Brand Management  
+90 212 319 711 
ozlem.karabilen@sekerbank.com.tr