Building modern, sustainable and profitable SMEs in Ukraine

Through loans and grants, the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line supports a wide range of projects that increase the competitiveness and capacity of Ukraine´s SMEs in the EU as well as in their home markets

Align with EU Directives through smart investments, unlock access to EU markets and increase your export capacity

Prioritize investments in Green Technologies for responsible environmental performance, cost reduction and receive a higher investment incentive

Additional incentives available for the reconstruction and recovery of severely war-affeccted MSMEs and those supporting the re-integration of war veterans and war-affected persons

What is the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line?

- A joint initiative of EU and EBRD that helps Ukrainian SMEs finance investments in equipment and facility upgrades.
- A programme that combines loan/leasing finance, free technical assistance and investment incentives financed under the EU4Business initiative.
- An initiative designed to support Ukraine’s SMEs align their businesses with EU Directives and increase their product/service quality and enhance their environmental responsibility.
- A facility that supports open market access for DCFTA countries like Ukraine and enabling SMEs to improve their competitiveness.
- A mechanism for Ukrainian businesses to increase their export potential and use their relatively low cost base to compete successfully with other companies in the large EU and regional markets.

Flexible Programme – 3 Project Types

Pre-Approved Technologies

The process for simple equipment upgrade investments up to €300,000, based on our Green Technology Selector (GTS) or our List of Eligible Technologies (LET). Successfully verified projects receive a base investment incentive of up to 10% and an additional 5-15% may apply for veterans, companies servicing and/or employing veterans, as well as war affected companies and persons.

Simplified Approach

The fast-track process for SPS and food safety investments up to €300,000. Investments in conventional (non-green) technologies receive a base investment incentive of up to 15% and up to 20% for green technologies. An additional 5-15% may apply for veterans and war affected companies and persons. The total maximum investment incentive is 30%.

Complex Approach

For large and/or complex investment projects up to €5 million (limitations may apply) for almost any business in almost any sector. Investments in conventional (non-green) technologies receive a base investment incentive of up to 15% and up to 20% for green technologies. An additional 5-15% may apply for veterans and war affected companies and persons – up to a total maximum combined incentive of 30%. The total maximum investment incentive is €300,000.

Who can Apply?

Ukrainian companies that are:

- At least 51% privately owned and privately run
- Operating in a sector that can be open to export
- Registered in Ukraine, operating primarily in Ukraine, and operating in accordance with the laws of Ukraine
- SMEs as per EU definition (fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than €50 M or less than €43 M of total balance sheet, not more than 25% by shareholders that exceed the SME criteria); if operating in the agricultural sector, cultivated land plots should not exceed 2,000 ha
- Classified as Individual entrepreneurs or sole proprietors
- Meeting the usual financing appraisal criteria of a Partner Financial Institution
- In compliance with the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy

Key Benefits for MSMEs

Competitiveness -Investments in advanced EU-compliant technologies, enhancing company operations and competitiveness in domestic and export markets
Base Investment Incentives (Grants) - reducing costs of projects by up to 20%
Needs-oriented – Additional incentives of up to 15% are available to facilitate reconstruction and recovery of severely war-affected MSMEs and those supporting war veterans and war-affected persons. The maximum combined incentive package is 30%.
Green focus - Focus on green investments, including renewable energy and energy efficiency contributing to Ukraine’s energy security.
Free expert advice – with structuring and implementing investment project.
Supportive - Through the related Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) initiative, focus on priority groups ensures support for women- and youth-led companies.