The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Union are strengthening support for inclusive entrepreneurship in North Macedonia through a €5 million financing package signed with ProCredit Bank AD Skopje. The funding is provided under the Women in Business (WiB) and Youth in Business (YiB) programmes, with equal allocations of €2.5 million each. The EU is supporting both facilities by offering technical assistance and a first-loss counter-guarantee through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus programme.
This marks ProCredit Bank’s second round of financing under both programmes, highlighting its continued commitment to expanding access to finance for women and young entrepreneurs. The funds will be entirely on-lent to eligible women-led and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), addressing persistent structural barriers that limit access to long-term financing for these groups.
The Women in Business loan aims to promote greater participation of women in the economy by supporting women-led enterprises and encouraging business growth across the country, including in regions outside the capital. Meanwhile, the Youth in Business loan targets entrepreneurs under the age of 35, helping them establish sustainable businesses, generate employment and contribute to the country’s economic resilience.
Officials from the EBRD, ProCredit Bank and the EU emphasized that empowering women and young entrepreneurs is essential for building a more inclusive, competitive and resilient economy. They noted that increased access to finance can unlock economic potential, create jobs and support broader social and economic development across North Macedonia.
ProCredit Bank AD Skopje remains a key partner of the EBRD and a leading lender to MSMEs in the country, with a strong focus on responsible banking and sustainable growth. The EBRD itself continues to play a significant role in the country’s development, having invested more than €3 billion across over 210 projects in North Macedonia.
