Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Slovene Enterprise Fund (SEF) entered into a COSME agreement aimed at enhancing financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia. The specific challenge faced by SEF was the need to provide additional financing to SMEs under favorable conditions, which was crucial for their growth and development. The agreement, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), allowed SEF to offer EUR 180 million in guarantees over three years, enabling access to finance for over 1,100 SMEs.

The tailored solution involved SEF utilizing the guarantees as collateral for bank loans, significantly easing the financial burden on SMEs. This approach reduced the requirements for additional collateral, which often posed a barrier to obtaining loans. As a result, the program facilitated easier, faster, and cheaper access to bank loans for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Quantifiable results from this initiative included the support of approximately 700 projects annually, with around EUR 120 million allocated in various financial incentives. This strategic partnership not only enhanced the financial landscape for SMEs in Slovenia but also reflected the EIF's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within the European Union.