KBC Group and the European Investment Bank have established a EUR 600 million financing facility to support sustainability investments by small and medium-sized enterprises across Belgium. The structure pairs a EUR 300 million EIB loan with a matching EUR 300 million commitment from KBC's own resources, making the combined total available to eligible Belgian businesses seeking to fund projects with clear environmental or climate-related benefits. The arrangement was announced in December 2024.
The facility covers qualifying investment categories, including water extraction and recycling infrastructure, renewable energy installation, energy efficiency improvements, transport upgrades, and other climate-related capital expenditure. Twenty per cent of the total allocation has been earmarked specifically for enterprises operating in cohesion regions, areas that qualify for additional EU support on the basis of economic disadvantage.
SME ACCESS TO GREEN FINANCE
Eligible Belgian SMEs access the facility through KBC.
Channelling EIB funds through a commercial banking partner is a standard mechanism the European Investment Bank uses to extend its reach to businesses below the size threshold that would typically qualify for direct EIB financing.
EIB CLIMATE COMMITMENTS
For the EIB, the Belgian arrangement is consistent with its Climate Bank Roadmap commitment to dedicate at least 50 per cent of annual financing to climate action and environmental sustainability by 2025.
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