Empowering women entrepreneurs in green transition with SME Go Green
Around 60 participants, mainly from female-led businesses across Serbia, met in Belgrade on 18 November 2025 to find out more about opportunities for funding and support from the SME Go Green Programme.
This programme, co-financed by the Western Balkans Investment Framework and operated by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), focuses on enhancing the green and circular economy, agribusiness and competitiveness investments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Balkans.
One of the specific features of the programme is to ensure more equitable access to climate finance for women-led SMEs by directing at least 25% of the investments to initiatives led by women.
This dedicated workshop was targeted to exploring the potential for sustainable investments. It featured practical case studies of successful green investments and in-depth discussions on financing options and sustainability strategies. Participants also gained expert insights into renewable energy, resource efficiency and agribusiness value chains, while the event offered excellent opportunities to connect with peers, financial institutions and Programme consultants.
Melissa Engelhardt, EBRD Principal: "We can all see that climate change is accelerating, and the SME Go Green is one of the fundamental components that we provide through green finance to make sure that everyone invests more in green technologies, which tackle the climate change. SME Go Green programme provides green financing to invest in green technologies. This programme is very important for us as it combines three aspects: one is priority for green financing tackling the climate crisis, also integrates very important gender components. What we want to see is that women are not only consumers but also the actors of change. This workshop is particularly made for women, as we wanted to make sure that they have tools and knowledge to be the actors of change in green transition."
Aleksandra Sakotić, Meter&Control company, financial director: "A few years ago, we first started implementing a mini sustainable project with the help of an EBRD partner who enabled us the financing. Our first project was the construction of a solar power plant financed with support of EBRD. After that, we took on another project to build an automation of the production of smart meters. The entire project is financed by EBRD, and EU facilities ENEF and GEFF. With the help of EU funds, and more favorable financing conditions in alliance with sustainable principles. Today's workshop is an excellent way for people to hear, inform, connect and exchange information, to see what sources of financing exist to start applying with the help of consultants. The process is very simple and the message was sent to people in the agro-economic that there are sources of financing available by EU that are available to all of us."
Marija Buzadžin, Racio company director: "We are engaged in cold storage, purchasing, processing, and exporting fruits to the EU market. We used incentives from the green technology programme, and the funds we obtained through EBRD loan were used to build a 50 MW solar power plant, which ensured our company's energy efficiency and reduced operating costs in compliance with environmental protection standards. This encouraged us to expand our production and storage capacities. The workshop was very useful, and we are considering participating in the next call as well because it will motivate us to achieve even better business performance."
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All active WBIF programmes for MSMEs here
Financing opportunities in Serbia here
For more details on SME Go Green Programme and other private sector financing opportunities, visit: https://wbif.eu/sectors/private-sector-2024
WBIF Private sector booklet here
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The development of a robust private sector is essential for regional socio-economic development and integration, and to improve the region’s competitiveness and job creation. The Global Gateway and the Western Balkans Growth Plan focus on the importance of supporting businesses as a means to this end and directs significant investments towards innovation, digital, energy and green growth. To unlock the potential of the private sector, EU financing is made available through the WBIF Private Sector Blending Operations and the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility.
About WBIF and Global Gateway
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) contributes directly to Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport, while strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion worldwide in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and financial institutions to leverage investments for a transformational impact.