InvestEU Capacity Building Investments

The CBI instrument complements other InvestEU financing tools managed by the EIF by supporting the capacity and institutional development of our financial intermediaries.

The goal of the InvestEU CBI product is to help social-impact-oriented financial intermediaries grow stronger and tackle gaps in underserved markets in the areas of microfinance, social entrepreneurship, and skills finance. Specifically, it has been designed to support intermediaries that are not yet fully sustainable, including new/greenfield institutions.

It provides risk capital for growth and operational improvement, and for strengthening the intermediaries’ ability to better serve final beneficiaries. By mobilising additional investment, supporting inclusion, developing social finance ecosystems, and strengthening access to education and skills finance, the CBI product contributes to the overall goals of InvestEU.

What is funded under CBI?

The InvestEU CBI product sits under the Social investment & skills policy window of InvestEU. Hence, the CBI support targets eligible financial intermediaries operating (and providing financing to final beneficiaries) in the field of microfinance, social enterprise finance, as well as skills, education and training finance.
Funds are for strengthening the intermediary, not directly financing their loan portfolios. Below are examples of objectives and areas specifically supported under CBI.

CBI beneficiaries to date

1

Organisational capacity

Such as branch expansion, improving IT infrastructure, hiring staff and training.

2

Operational and institutional strength

Better governance/strategic capabilities, working capital, sustainability of operations.

3

Debt capacity

Enabling access to further financing while safeguarding social mission.

Martina Grigorova CEO at SIS Credit

"The Capacity Building Investment Instrument under InvestEU is a unique and irreplaceable tool that empowers microfinance institutions like SIS Credit to grow stronger and bring innovation into their operations — a crucial need in these challenging times. Thanks to this support, we can better serve vulnerable entrepreneurs and help them turn potential into lasting opportunity."

Linas Armalys CEO at Noviti

"The InvestEU CBI instrument has been a true enabler for Noviti Finance: it facilitated our expansion to Poland and helped us forge partnerships with European funding providers. Being a CBI beneficiary has a signalling effect to equity investors and funding providers: that as a lender we’ve got a good track record, proper governance, and a long-term perspective. We are pleased to have applied and obtained such support via the EIF!"

Information for financial intermediaries

Eligibility criteria

Financial intermediaries must be established and operating in any Member States of the EU or OCT (Overseas Country or Territory). Including but not limited to: banks and guarantee institutions, microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, loan/investment funds, credit unions, crowdfunding/crowd-financing platforms, and education & training providers (if acting as financial intermediaries).

How to apply?

For full information concerning eligibility and more please refer to the Call for Expression of Interest documentation below. Please submit your formal expression of interest to our team via the email address provided in the Call documents.

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2027
(ongoing selection, on a first come first served basis).