EBRD, EU, and Sweden Support Georgian Women Entrepreneurs with ProCredit Bank Loan, Georgian women at the helm of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are set to receive a significant financial boost through a loan facilitated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with backing from the European Union (EU) and Sweden.

ProCredit Bank, a leading Georgian bank and a veteran collaborator with the EBRD, will offer a €8 million credit line specifically designed to empower women-led businesses. This initiative aims to fuel their growth and development by facilitating necessary investments.

Marking a pioneering venture into gender-focused financial support, ProCredit Bank is aligning with the EBRD's Women in Business (WiB) programme. This move, supported by both the EU and Sweden, is designed to enhance women's access to financial resources and expertise through advisory services, mentorship, and educational programs.

The initiative falls under the umbrella of the EU's European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) guarantee program, dedicated to supporting loans for female entrepreneurs.

Recognizing the challenges women-led firms face, often perceived as higher risk due to their smaller scale and limited access to collateral, this new funding approach introduces a risk-sharing mechanism. This innovative strategy aims to broaden access to financial support for women entrepreneurs, particularly those unable to meet traditional collateral requirements.