Companies across Serbia will gain access to €56.5 million in favourable financing under a new agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB), UniCredit Bank Serbia and UniCredit Leasing Serbia. The package combines €50 million in loans with €6.5 million in EU-backed grants for Serbian SMEs and mid-cap companies.
Under the programme, UniCredit Bank Serbia will provide a €20 million loan complemented by a €2.6 million grant, while UniCredit Leasing will channel a €30 million loan alongside a €3.9 million grant. The financing targets companies committed to creating long-term employment and career opportunities for women, young people, persons with disabilities and other groups facing barriers to labour-market participation.
The initiative forms part of the EIB’s social impact incentive financing, which links favourable funding with measurable progress in areas including social inclusion and gender equality. Participating businesses will also receive technical assistance to help develop and implement inclusive employment strategies. The operation supports the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and its broader objective of strengthening Serbia’s private sector and integration into the EU market.
The agreement is the fourth financing operation between the EIB and UniCredit Group in Serbia. Their cooperation has so far resulted in €240 million being distributed to more than 1,000 companies across the country.
