RATO credit union launches €20 million sustainable financing initiative with the EIF support

• RATO credit union has signed a landmark guarantee agreement with the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InvestEU program, unlocking €20 million in new financing for sustainable projects in Lithuania.
• This initiative will support climate change mitigation and green innovation across sectors such as renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings and clean transport.

Empowering clients with greener financing

Thanks to the EIF guarantee, RATO credit union can now offer individuals and businesses more favorable loan conditions – including reduced interest rates and lower collateral requirements – for financing sustainable investments. This significantly expands access to funding for green initiatives.

“This is a major milestone for our organization – it marks the beginning of our cooperation with the European Investment Fund and allows us to offer tangible benefits to our clients. The guarantee opens the door to sustainable solutions: lower-cost loans, reduced collateral, and more flexible terms. It is also our contribution to sustainability and the green transition,” commented Vytenis Mažiulis, Chairman of the Board of RATO credit union.

Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund, added, “This new InvestEU agreement in Lithuania will extend support to local businesses – and for the first time also individual citizens. By supporting credit unions like RATO to finance sustainable projects, we’re putting the green transition in the hands of people and businesses across the country.”

What projects are eligible?

Loans under the InvestEU guarantee will be available for the following sectors:

• Renewable energy – including production, storage, heating, and cooling from renewable sources.
• Green buildings (commercial and residential) – construction or renovation projects meeting energy efficiency criteria.
• Industrial energy efficiency – investments in equipment and solutions that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Low- and zero-emission transport – acquisition of clean energy vehicles or the development of supporting infrastructure, for both individuals and legal entities.
• Green IT technologies – innovations that help reduce energy consumption or pollution.

Who can apply?

Loans are available to individuals, SMEs, and housing associations, with terms range from one to 12 years. This initiative supports a wide range of sustainable investments—from business innovations and green technologies to household and multi-apartment modernisation projects, such as energy-efficient renovations, solar panel installations, and heating system upgrades.

By making sustainable financing more accessible, RATO Credit Union helps clients reduce energy costs, lower their climate impact, and unlock long-term value for the economy, environment, and society.

Background information

About the EIF

The European Investment Fund is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments that specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF furthers key EU policy objectives such as competitiveness and growth, innovation and digitalisation, social impact, skills and human capital, climate action and environmental sustainability, and more. 

About InvestEU programme

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investments for the European Union’s policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU programme brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible.

About RATO

RATO credit union is one of the largest credit unions in Lithuania, currently seeking to obtain a specialised banking licence.

For more information about sustainable finance opportunities, visit www.rato.lt, visit the RATO credit union headquarters, or contact our representatives.