Helping SMEs to access finance in the European Union

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a major source of jobs, entrepreneurial skills and innovation as well as economic and social cohesion in the EU. There are some 23 million SMEs in the European Union (EU), accounting for over 99% of all enterprises and contributing up to 80% of employment in some industrial sectors, such as textiles, construction or furniture.

The EIB Group facilitates SMEs’ access to finance through four different instruments, which cover the spectrum of resources necessary for the development of SMEs in an evolving economy:

EIB global loans

EIF venture capital activities

EIF SME portfolio guarantees

A new initiative, JEREMIE, which will enable the blending of these three instruments, coupled with Community funds, is currently under development.