EIB and HBOR Launch New Funding Initiative for Renewable Energy, Infrastructure and Economic Growth Projects

EIB and HBOR Launch New Funding Initiative for Renewable Energy, Infrastructure and Economic Growth Projects

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank has approved a €200 million loan to HBOR to support investments by Croatian businesses and public-sector entities. The financing will help fund business expansion, modernization, renewable energy projects, energy-efficiency improvements, and public infrastructure development across Croatia. At least 30% of the funding is expected to support climate-related and environmentally sustainable investments. The operation further strengthens the long-standing partnership between the EIB and HBOR, which has channelled nearly €4 billion into Croatia since 2001 to support economic growth, employment, and sustainable development initiatives.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZAGREB, 13-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — European Investment Bank has approved a new €200 million loan to Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) aimed at supporting investment projects by Croatian companies and public-sector entities across the country.

The financing package is intended to stimulate economic growth, strengthen competitiveness, support employment, and accelerate Croatia’s green transition through investments in business modernization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and public infrastructure development.

The new operation further expands the long-standing cooperation between the EIB and HBOR, which has delivered nearly €4 billion in financing to Croatia since the partnership began in 2001.

Marko Primorac, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, stated that the EIB remains committed to supporting Croatian businesses and public investment projects through cooperation with trusted national financial institutions. He noted that the financing would help companies strengthen competitiveness, support employment, and contribute to Croatia’s transition toward a more sustainable economy.

Hrvoje Čuvalo, President of the Management Board of HBOR, described the agreement as another important step in the more than 25-year partnership between the two institutions. He said the newly available funds would help strengthen Croatia’s investment cycle, particularly in the area of green transition, while also supporting the modernization of Croatian companies and the development of public infrastructure projects.

The funding will be channelled through HBOR to mid-sized enterprises, larger businesses, and public-sector project promoters throughout Croatia. The financing will support projects such as the construction of new production facilities, business expansion initiatives, technological modernization, renewable energy investments, energy-efficiency improvements, and public infrastructure upgrades.

According to the EIB, at least 30% of the financing is expected to support climate action and environmentally sustainable investments. The institutions stated that these projects are intended to help Croatian companies lower energy costs, expand green investments, and improve long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.

The loan structure also aims to provide long-term financing under favorable conditions, enabling businesses and public entities to undertake investment projects with greater financial certainty. The programme is expected to support economic and social cohesion across all regions of Croatia by encouraging investment activity and employment growth nationwide.

The initiative forms part of broader European efforts to strengthen sustainable economic development, green infrastructure, and industrial competitiveness within EU member states. The EIB noted that its cooperation with HBOR also extends to collaboration with the European Investment Fund (EIF) in order to maximize the impact of European Union funding programs and align investments with both Croatian and broader European policy priorities.

The EIB Group, owned by the 27 EU member states, remains one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks and continues to expand financing for climate action, infrastructure, digitalization, innovation, and sustainable economic development across Europe.

HBOR serves as Croatia’s national development and export bank, supporting economic growth through loans, guarantees, export insurance, venture capital investments, and advisory services aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian businesses.

Background information

EIB Group 

The European Investment Bank (ElB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion of new financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects in eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and investment union. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group crowds-in private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe’s markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.

HBOR

Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the development and export bank and export credit agency of the Republic of Croatia whose main task is to promote the development of the Croatian economy. By lending, investing in venture capital funds, insuring exports against political and commercial risks, issuing guarantees and providing business consulting services, HBOR builds bridges between entrepreneurial ideas and their realisation with the goal of strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian economy.

Media contacts:

Tibor Jona
t.jona@eib.org
+352 4379 84105

Press Office
press@eib.org
+352 4379 21000
www.eib.org/press

SOURCE: European Investment Bank