Investment & Fund Management

The European Investment Fund (EIF) partnered with Deloitte Digital and KEA European Affairs to enhance the capacity of financial intermediaries operating under the Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility (CCS GF). The specific challenge faced by these intermediaries was the need to improve their ability to assess risks associated with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors. This sector is crucial, accounting for over 7 million jobs and contributing 4.2% to the EU's GDP, yet it often struggles to secure adequate financing due to perceived risks.

To address this issue, the tailored solution involved providing technical assistance, knowledge-building, and networking opportunities to the financial intermediaries. The collaboration combined Deloitte’s expertise in credit risk assessment and debt financing with KEA’s deep understanding of the cultural and creative sectors. This approach aimed to guide financial institutions in evaluating investment risks and foster partnerships between the financial and creative sectors.

As a result of this initiative, financial intermediaries are expected to enhance their risk assessment capabilities, leading to increased lending to SMEs in the cultural and creative sectors. This support not only aims to improve the financial health of these SMEs but also to stimulate innovation and growth within the sector, ultimately contributing to the broader objectives of the Creative Europe programme, which seeks to promote cultural diversity and strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural and creative industries in Europe.