June 6, 2026

EIB Global and Erste Bank Serbia Partner to Enhance Social Inclusion

November 4, 2025
73134

EIB Global and Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad have entered into an agreement for a €10 million loan and a €1.3 million grant to support inclusive growth and employment in Serbia. This partnership, announced at a ceremony in Belgrade, employs a novel impact incentive structure to provide funding to SMEs and mid-sized companies that offer permanent employment and development opportunities, focusing on women, youth, and disabled persons. Companies meeting these social goals will be rewarded with financial incentives from the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative. EIB Global will also aid small businesses in effectively implementing socially impactful practices. EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot emphasized the initiative’s role in promoting gender equality and youth employment, while Jasna Terzić, CEO of Erste Bank Serbia, highlighted the importance of inclusive growth. This collaboration marks EIB Global’s third impact incentive loan in the Western Balkans and adds to its history of supporting the region with over €7.8 billion invested since 1977. EIB Global aims to support €100 billion of investment by 2027 and works closely with various international partners. Established in 1864 and part of Erste Group, Erste Bank Serbia has a significant presence with 88 branches and focuses on renewable energy financing. The Economic Resilience Initiative, supporting this grant, was launched in 2017 to address challenges related to displacement and migration. The EIB has been a major financier in the Western Balkans, supporting infrastructure, SMEs, and local authorities.

Comments

20 responses to “EIB Global and Erste Bank Serbia Partner to Enhance Social Inclusion”

  1. Gr8 Flick Avatar
    Gr8 Flick

    Oh great, just what Serbia needs—another €10 million tossed around like confetti while we’re still waiting for potholes to be fixed! 🙄 Let’s just hope those SMEs remember to check the “social goals” box before cashing in on the freebies. 💸

    Reply
  2. Airport Hobo Avatar
    Airport Hobo

    Looks like EIB Global and Erste Bank are throwing cash like confetti while pretending to save the world—€10 million for social inclusion? Someone’s clearly got deep pockets for a feel-good photo op! 💸🤷‍♂️

    Reply
  3. Snake Eyes Avatar
    Snake Eyes

    Just what Serbia needed, a €10 million loan to make sure everyone feels included—because, you know, nothing says “social inclusion” like a hefty bank loan. 💸 Let’s hope those SMEs can turn that grant into more than just a fancy brochure! 🙄

    Reply
  4. snake eyes Avatar
    snake eyes

    Another day, another €10 million thrown around like confetti for social inclusion in Serbia—because what’s more effective than a hefty loan to solve deep-rooted issues, right? 🙄💸

    Reply
  5. Sloth Avatar
    Sloth

    Oh splendid, nothing like a €10 million loan to solve social issues while patting ourselves on the back. 👏 “Inclusive growth,” they say—because who wouldn’t want a financial incentive to do the right thing, eh? 🙄💰

    Reply
  6. slug-em- dog Avatar
    slug-em- dog

    Oh great, another €10 million to sprinkle around like confetti while we wait for the real magic to happen – because who doesn’t love a good loan with a side of inclusivity? 😏 Just what we need, more paperwork and a sprinkle of social goals to spice up the banking scene! 💸

    Reply
  7. Captain Peroxide Avatar
    Captain Peroxide

    Oh, brilliant! Nothing says “social inclusion” like a €10 million loan and some pocket change for the SMEs, all while patting ourselves on the back for being so generous. 🙄💸

    Reply
  8. TulipCake Avatar
    TulipCake

    Oh, brilliant! Nothing says “social inclusion” quite like a €10 million loan—just what the average Joe needs to feel included in the financial circus 🎪. I suppose in Serbia, if you throw in some jargon and cash, who needs actual change? 😂

    Reply
  9. chapstick Avatar
    chapstick

    Oh, look at that, a €10 million loan and a sprinkle of good intentions—because nothing says “social inclusion” quite like a hefty bank deal, right? 💸 Let’s just hope they remember to include the small print for the actual people they’re trying to help! 😏

    Reply
  10. admiral tot Avatar
    admiral tot

    Oh look, another grand plan to sprinkle some cash and hope it magically solves everything—because who needs actual jobs when you can just throw around fancy terms like “inclusive growth”? 🤷‍♂️💸

    Reply
  11. canine hannibal Avatar
    canine hannibal

    Brilliant, isn’t it? A €10 million loan to solve social issues—just what we needed, a financial fairy tale straight out of a Balkan soap opera! 💸✨

    Reply
  12. Dancing Madman Avatar
    Dancing Madman

    Oh, look at that! EIB and Erste Bank are throwing around cash like confetti at a wedding, all in the name of social inclusion. Who knew €10 million could make such a difference, or is it just a drop in the ocean? 😂💸

    Reply
  13. gold dahlia Avatar
    gold dahlia

    Looks like EIB and Erste Bank are finally showing us how to “drive social inclusion” with a hefty €10 million loan, because nothing says ‘we care’ quite like throwing money at it, right? 💸🙄

    Reply
  14. thickskn Avatar
    thickskn

    Oh great, just what we need—€10 million to help us realize that inclusion is more than just a buzzword, right? 💸 As if social growth can be bought like a pint at the pub! 🍻

    Reply
  15. moon peaches Avatar
    moon peaches

    Just when you thought social inclusion was just a trendy buzzword, here comes EIB and Erste Bank to sprinkle some euro fairy dust on Serbia’s SMEs! 🍀 Who knew a €10 million loan could also double as a cheap therapy session for the economy? 😂

    Reply
  16. Lil Rebel Ma Avatar
    Lil Rebel Ma

    Social inclusion, eh? Nothing screams “we care” quite like a €10 million loan and a flashy ceremony in Belgrade. 🙄 Just what we need, more paperwork for the SMEs while the big boys pat themselves on the back! 🍷

    Reply
  17. Stealth Avatar
    Stealth

    Absolutely brilliant! Who knew throwing around €10 million could make you feel like Mother Teresa while patting yourself on the back for being so inclusive? Just what Serbia needed, another fancy initiative to sprinkle some fairy dust on the economy. 😏💸

    Reply
  18. High Woo Avatar
    High Woo

    Oh, brilliant! A €10 million loan for social inclusion—just what we need to sprinkle a bit of fairy dust on the economy. Who knew that giving cash to SMEs for doing the right thing could be so groundbreaking? 😏💸

    Reply
  19. alias stick Avatar
    alias stick

    Just what we need, more loans and grants to help those poor souls become gainfully employed—because who wouldn’t want to work for the privilege of navigating the labyrinth of bureaucracy? 🤷‍♂️💸

    Reply
  20. Hobo Samurai Avatar
    Hobo Samurai

    Looks like EIB and Erste Bank are throwing money around like confetti at a wedding! Who knew social inclusion could come with a €10 million price tag? 🤷‍♂️💸

    Reply

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