Obtaining funding
Access to finance is vital in order to start or expand a business, and the EU provides finance for small firms in different forms – grants, loans, and in some cases, guarantees. In addition, the EU funds specific projects. EU funding can be divided into two categories:
- direct funding through grants;
- indirect funding through national and local intermediaries.
Find out more about which type of funding suits your needs and how to apply for it.
Capital, Loans and Bank guarantees
View alternative sources of financing – videos
- General information on funding
- Access to finance in ‘Neighbourhood’ countries
- Surveys and technical assistance to countries
General information on funding
-
This site will help you to apply for finance supported by the European Union – use the interactive map to locate banks or venture capital funds. -
Guide to the main funding opportunities available to European SMEs
An A to Z of EU support for SMEs – this downloadable guide presents different EU schemes providing assistance and financial support for small businesses.
-
EU grants, funds and programmes (calls for proposals)
Direct access to all open calls for proposals published by the Commission (among them, many SME-specific programmes).
-
The RSI Facility is a joint pilot guarantee scheme of the EIF, EIB and the European Commission (DG Research & Innovation) aiming to improve access to debt finance for innovative SMEs and Small Mid-Caps in support of their RDI projects. -
Regional development programmes - managing authorities
Contact details of the national and regional authorities managing the programmes which get support from the EU's structural funds. They inform potential beneficiaries, select projects and follow up their implementation.
-
COSME – Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs 2014-2020 – supports entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses in business start up, access to finance, going international; supports authorities to improve business environment and facilitate EU economic growth.
-
Framework programme for research and innovation - 2014- 2020. The programme aims at supporting businesses in investing in research and innovation, to improve their competitiveness. To make it easier for SMEs to get research & innovation grants, processes have been made simpler.
-
Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: Investing in growth and jobs
The EU regional, employment and social policy for 2014-2020 is designed to ensure that EU regional investments are in line with Europe's long-term goals including a better competitiveness. Small and medium-sized businesses are a key target. To make it easier for SMEs to benefit from grants and access to finance, eligibility rules have been harmonised between relevant funds.
Access to finance in ‘Neighbourhood’ countries
-
EIB loans for SMEs in Eastern Neighbourhood countries
European Investment Bank (EIB) loans for small businesses are now also available in the EU's neighbours in Central and Eastern Europe (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine), via the EIB's partner banks.
-
EIB loans for SMEs in Mediterranean partner countries (FEMIP)
FEMIP grants loans to small businesses in the Mediterranean (Algeria, Egypt, Gaza/West Bank, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia), mostly through local intermediaries, for projects to boost the economic infrastructure of the area.
-
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
While the EBRD finances many small projects directly, it also supports financial intermediaries such as local commercial banks, micro-business banks, equity funds and leasing facilities, to give entrepreneurs and small firms greater access to finance.
-
The facility operates in the EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe (including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia), funding small firms through loans to local banks, leasing companies and investments in private equity funds.
-
Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF)
This facility focuses on the investment needs of neighbouring countries in fields like transport, energy, the environment and social issues. It also supports the private sector particularly through risk capital operations targeting SMEs.
-
Guide to Multi-country Co-operation Instruments in the EU's Neighbourhood [129 KB]
This is an electronic guide to EU funding in Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Republic of Moldova, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Russian Federation, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine.
Surveys and technical assistance to countries
-
Joint Action to Support Micro-finance Institutions in Europe - JASMINE
JASMINE helps small companies start up by encouraging the supply of micro-credits, and supports the development of non-bank micro-finance institutions.
Official name
Joint Action to Support Micro-finance Institutions in Europe (JASMINE)
Period
2007-2013
Type of support
Financial instrument
-
Facts and figures on the development of SME finance in the EU.
-
What are SMEs' needs regarding finance? The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Commission regularly carry out surveys to answer this question. They provide key figures regarding access to finance and identify which instruments are used.
