European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established to help build a new, post-Cold War era in Central and Eastern Europe. It has since played a historic role and gained unique expertise in fostering change in the region – and beyond.

The EBRD is committed to furthering progress towards “market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative.” This has been its guiding principle since its creation at the beginning of the 1990s and, new challenges and the welcoming of new countries to the EBRD world notwithstanding will continue to be its mission in years to come.

During the frenetic years of the early 1990s the EBRD’s emphasis on the private sector as the main driver for change in Central and Eastern Europe was vindicated many times over. This was the period that established the EBRD’s reputation as n expert on transition to the open market. It was heavily involved in areas such as banking systems reform, the liberalisation of prices, privatisation (legalisation and policy dialogue) and the creation of proper legal frameworks for property rights, all vital ingredients for change.

Such reforms were supported by sound advice, training and technical expertise, and supplemented by major investments in the private and public sectors. With domestic capital on its own insufficient to finance transition, the EBRD helped to bring in external capital from both private and public sources. Such experience has stood the EBRD in good stead when it has expanded its original region of operations into new countries such as Mongolia (in 2006), Turkey (2009), Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Kosovo (in 2012), Cyprus (2014), Greece (2015) and Lebanon (2017). It is currently active in more than 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, plus the West Bank and Gaza. The Czech Republic is the only member to have “graduated” from the EBRD and no longer receives investments from

Mission

Our mission is to develop open and sustainable market economies in countries committed to, and applying, democratic principles.

Geographic Focus

South-eastern Europe, Central Europe and Baltic States, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, Central Asia, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, West Bank and Gaza

Programme Areas

FINANCIAL SECTOR. In the countries where it invests, the EBRD plays a leading role in the development of strong, sustainable and inclusive financial sector. The Bank combines debt, equity and trade finance projects with extensive policy dialogue, cooperation with external partners and donor-funded activities to support banks and non-bank financial institutions, mostly in the private sector.

INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRIBUSINESS. EBRD investments in energy, commerce and agribusiness (ICA) promote competition and foster resilience by helping to develop a private corporate sector that is strong and well-governed and by encouraging economic diversification. These ventures also generate substainable and inclusive growth and contribute to the emergence of an integrated knowledge economy. The Bank uses loans, bonds, equity investments, pariticipation in equity funds, policy dialogue and donor-funded technical assistance to support clients.

INFRSTRUCTURE. Integration is central to a market economy’s competitiveness, growth and ability to create jobs. By improving transport networks and municipal and environmental utilities, infrastructure investments deliver a vital contribution to efforts to strengthen integration in the EBRD region at the national, regional and urban levels.

ENERGY. In 201, the EBRD signed a record number of investments in the power sector as it increased efforts to integrated energy infrastructure in the region, boost competition and help countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement on combating climate change.