EBRD Provides an EBRD Green Loan Skopje to NLB Skopje
In a significant move to accelerate North Macedonia’s green transition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a green loan of up to €30 million to NLB Skopje. This strategic partnership is designed to channel vital funding towards sustainable projects undertaken by local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies.
A Landmark EBRD Green Loan Skopje Initiative
This financial package is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first-ever use of the Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework (WB GOLD) in North Macedonia. The WB GOLD framework is an innovative financial instrument designed to do more than just provide capital; it links financial benefits directly to measurable environmental results. This outcome-based approach incentivizes both the lending institution and the borrowing businesses to achieve tangible green targets, elevating the standards for sustainable finance in the region.
The agreement, formalized on March 20, 2026, by Fatih Türkmenoğlu, EBRD’s Head of North Macedonia, and Toni Stojanovski, CEO of NLB Skopje, underscores a shared commitment to fostering an environmentally responsible private sector.
Fueling Green Investments with EBRD Green Loan Skopje
The €30 million loan will be on-lent by NLB Skopje to local businesses seeking to invest in green technologies and practices. The financing will specifically target projects that enhance sustainability and competitiveness, including:
- Energy-efficient machinery and equipment: Helping companies reduce their energy consumption and operational costs.
- Renewable energy systems: Facilitating the adoption of clean energy sources like solar power.
- Other green assets: Supporting a wide range of investments that minimize environmental impact and promote responsible resource management.
By providing access to dedicated green financing, the initiative empowers companies to adopt cleaner technologies that might otherwise be financially out of reach, thereby driving both economic growth and environmental progress.
A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Future with EBRD Green Loan Skopje
Leaders from both organizations highlighted the importance of this collaboration. Fatih Türkmenoğlu of the EBRD emphasized the goal of transforming financial support into “real environmental benefits and sustainable progress for North Macedonia’s SME sector.”
Echoing this sentiment, NLB Skopje CEO Toni Stojanovski described green financing as both an “opportunity and a responsibility.” He noted that this partnership enables businesses to embrace cleaner technologies and manage resources more responsibly, paving the way for a more sustainable economic landscape.
This initiative represents a crucial step forward in aligning financial flows with climate objectives in the Western Balkans, demonstrating a powerful model for how targeted investment can foster a greener, more resilient economy.
