EIB Strengthens Partnership with Banca di Asti to Boost Financing for Italian Agricultural SMEs

EIB Strengthens Partnership with Banca di Asti to Boost Financing for Italian Agricultural SMEs

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banca di Asti have signed a €100 million financing agreement to support Italian SMEs in the agriculture and bioeconomy sectors, with 10% of the funds reserved for young farmers. The signing took place during the 11th Annual EAFRD Conference in Milan, hosted by the European Commission and the EIB. This initiative is part of the EIB’s €3 billion package for agriculture, prioritizing businesses led by women and young entrepreneurs. The new credit line aims to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Italy’s agribusiness sector and promote job creation. It follows a similar €100 million agreement in 2023 that has already financed 285 agricultural companies. EIB Director Gemma Feliciani emphasized that the investment reinforces innovation, sustainability, and generational renewal in a key pillar of Italy’s economy.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 9-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banca di Asti have signed a new €100 million credit line aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy’s agriculture and bioeconomy sectors. The agreement was formalized during the 11th Annual Conference on Financial Instruments of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), held in Milan and co-hosted by the European Commission and the EIB Advisory team.

This new facility is part of the EIB’s broader €3 billion financing package dedicated to Europe’s agricultural sector, with a particular focus on companies led by women and young entrepreneurs under 40. At least 10% of the total funding will be reserved specifically for young farmers, ensuring generational renewal in a sector vital to Italy’s economy and sustainability goals.

The credit line will help fund investments by small businesses and mid-caps engaged in sustainable agriculture and bioeconomy-related activities, fostering environmental resilience, employment, and competitiveness. The initiative continues the successful partnership between the EIB and Banca di Asti, following their previous €100 million agreement in 2023, which supported 285 agribusinesses, including 105 led by young entrepreneurs.

Through this new collaboration, Banca di Asti aims to strengthen its role as a key financial partner for agricultural enterprises, particularly in northern Italy, by expanding access to tailored financing that encourages green growth and digital transformation in farming practices.

“The agricultural sector is a cornerstone of our national economy and identity, as well as one of the EIB Group’s strategic priorities,” said Gemma Feliciani, EIB Director of Operations with Financial Intermediaries. “By investing in innovation, sustainability, and generational renewal, we are reinforcing the resilience of a vital industry while promoting both economic development and social progress in Italian communities.”

The Milan conference, which gathered over 150 experts and stakeholders, explored the simplification measures introduced by the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the role of European financial instruments in supporting the sustainable and digital transformation of agriculture.

About EIB Global

The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives. EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices across the world. Photos of EIB headquarters for media use are available here.

EIB Global provided a total of €8.4 billion during 2024 to help address global challenges and foster growth and opportunity all over the world. EIB Global is part of Team Europe, which means it partners with the European Commission, EU Member States and development finance institutions to deliver on common objectives and maximise the EIB Group’s impact. It is also a key partner of the European Green Deal, and of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, under which it aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027.

EIB

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. In the last five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy. All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment. Around half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower.

Banca di Asti

For over 180 years, Banca di Asti has been actively contributing to the development of synergies with Italian business and society, becoming one of the largest and most successful multi-regional banking groups in Italy with 540 000 customers and a network of 210 bank branches in Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria, Valle d’Aosta and Veneto. Banca di Asti plays a key role in supporting businesses, serving not only as a banking partner but also as a global consultant, and offering targeted financial and insurance solutions to meet economic and regulatory challenges. Thanks to its widespread presence and a team of over 1 600 employees, including many young professionals, Banca di Asti cultivates a relationship of trust based on listening to customers, its expertise and accessibility, thereby contributing to territorial cohesion and the creation of lasting value for the regions in which it operates.

Media contact:

Lorenzo Squintani
l.squintani@eib.org
+352437982528

Press Office
press@eib.org
+352 43791

SOURCE: European Investment Bank