FOSTER Région Occitanie (Fonds Occitanie de Soutien Territorial aux Entreprises Régionales) is a third generation holding fund seeking to improve access to finance for final recipients, set up in cooperation with the French Region of Occitanie.
For further info regarding FOSTER Occitanie, click here.
FOSTER Région Occitanie is managed by EIF under the current EU funds programming period 2021-2027. It builds-on the successful implementation of the JEREMIE Initiative in Languedoc-Roussillon as well as on the first Generation of FOSTER Occitanie. Altogether these initiatives leveraged about EUR 220m of public resources (EU funds and Regional own resources) resulting in over EUR 1.3bn of financing provided for final recipients for over EUR 2bn of catalyzed investments. Through this landmark initiative, more than 8,500 SMEs and farmers operating in the region benefitted from loans or equity support while almost 60,000 jobs were created/maintained.
FOSTER Région Occitanie is made up of two holding funds:
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FOSTER Région Occitanie ERDF: an initiative targeting SME financing needs with a focus on impactful areas (such as economic sovereignty, markets of the future, internationalization, industrial transition, digital transformation, territorial balance, ecological transformation, social economy / micro-entrepreneurship) which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF);
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FOSTER Région Occitanie EAFRD: an initiative targeting the financing needs of farmers and enterprises active in the agricultural, agro-industry, and forestry value chains, which is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
Mandator
Our partners
Selected financial intermediaries
Our testimonials
EAFRD/FOSTER support in France
The following summary is only indicative. For full information please refer to the Call documents below.
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Focus
The FOSTER II mandate focuses on improving access to finance for SMEs and farmers in the Occitanie region. It is structured into two windows: one funded by ERDF for SMEs and one funded by EAFRD for agriculture. Strategically, it targets four main policy goals: competitiveness and growth, innovation, sustainability and green transformation, and social impact. It prioritises support for business expansion, territorial development, and the creation of new products and services. In agriculture, it promotes modernisation, climate resilience, and generational renewal.
Objective
The objective of the FOSTER II mandate is to improve access to finance for SMEs and farmers in Occitanie. It aims to unlock EUR 1 billion in investments, support innovation and competitiveness, and promote sustainable agriculture. The mandate also contributes to EU cohesion policy and EIF public policy goals.
Guarantee terms
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€2.5m iDebt financing maturity range
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Further information for financial intermediaries
Financial instruments available under FOSTER Occitanie II
FOSTER II (ERDF) makes available (i) a free of charge first loss portfolio guarantee and (ii) a portfolio risk-sharing loan focusing on early-stage innovation, each supporting new debt financing for SMEs.
FOSTER II (EAFRD) makes available a free of charge first loss portfolio guarantee supporting new debt financing to farmers and enterprises active in the agricultural, agro-industry, and forestry value chains.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible applicants are financial institutions duly authorized, according to applicable legislation, to carry out lending or leasing activities to final recipients established and/or operating in Occitanie.
For the complete set of eligibility and other criteria, please refer to each call document.
Application closed
The call closed on 15 June 2023, therefore we are not accepting further applications from financial intermediaries.
The Eligibility Period is up to 31 December 2029 for SMEs and to 31 December 2028 for the Agricultural sector.
Questions regarding the Calls for Expression of Interest for FOSTER Occitanie II can be submitted here.