The future is small - How EIF supports SMEs across Europe

Small businesses play a crucial role in contributing to economic growth, innovation and job creation across Europe and beyond; and yet the very same small businesses often struggle to gain access to finance. This is why the European Investment Fund (EIF) works closely with banks, guarantee institutions and leasing companies, micro-credit providers and private equity funds in order to provide sustainable access to finance for businesses at every stage of their development. Over the last 20 years, EIF has channelled more than EUR 174 billion to nearly 2 million businesses using a wide variety of resources, including those from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission (EC), EU Member States and other third parties.