Brussels, 26 January 2023
The Operational Board of the European Fund for Sustainable Development plus (EFSD+) has endorsed a further package of 24 guarantee programmes to support investments in the EU’s neighbourhood and enlargement countries. Together with the three guarantees for the Western Balkans to support SMEs approved in December, the new guarantees, worth €2.4 billion, are expected to generate investments in the order of €17 billion in priority sectors, including renewable energy, digital connectivity and private sector competitiveness, under the Economic and Investment Plans (EIPs), which are the vehicles to deliver on Global Gateway in the Western Balkans and South and Eastern Neighbourhood.
“The 24 new guarantee programs approved by the EFSD+ Board today will be key to delivering on our ambitious Economic and Investment Plans. With the assistance of these €2.4 billion new guarantees, we will be able to make about €17 billion in investments in priority sectors, including renewable energy, digital connectivity, and private sector competitiveness, under the Economic and Investment Plans. These investments will be critical to contribute to the economic growth, job creation, and improving lives of the citizens in our partner countries”, said Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi.
The EFSD+, the financial arm under the EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, provides guarantees to mitigate the risk for investments aligned with EU priorities in our partner countries. EFSD+ supports public and private investment in partner countries worldwide to promote decent job creation, strengthen public and private infrastructure, foster renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, and support the digital economy.
A press release with more information is available online.
Source – EU Commission