Concessional loans from the EU for Ukrainian green projects: how to get them

Concessional loans from the EU for Ukrainian green projects: how to get them shutterstock
Hanna Velyka

High interest rates prevent businesses in Ukraine from obtaining financing for their development and eco-modernization

Domestic “green” restoration projects will be able to attract more than 20% of the funding provided by the Ukraine Investment Program (UIF), one of the parts of the Ukraine Facility Plan.

This was reported by the NGO SaveDnipro.

How much money will be given

The activists said that the total amount of funding under the UIF is €9.3 billion. These funds will be used to make loans more affordable for Ukrainian businesses. At the same time, part of the funding needs will be covered by grants.

According to estimates by the KSE Institute and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, these €9.3 billion could potentially help attract more than €30 billion in additional investment.

The Ukraine Facility program stipulates that at least 20% of all UIF funding should be used for green projects and the green transition.

SaveDnipro reminded that the European Union pays a lot of attention to financing projects that improve the environment and promote a green transition.

“Therefore, if your project has an environmental component, it will have a high chance of receiving funding,” the activists say.

Who can receive funding

UIF funds are intended for both large companies and small and medium-sized businesses.

  • For projects with a budget of more than $10 million, an applicant must apply directly to one of the 5 international financial institutions that have received EU funding under the UIF:- European Investment Bank (EIB);

– European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD);

– International Finance Corporation (IFC);

– German Credit Institution for Reconstruction (KfW);

– Polish Bank of National Economy (BGK).

  • If your project has a budget of $3-$5 million to $10-$15 million, you should apply to development finance institutions (DFIs). These are organizations that provide financial support and investments to stimulate economic development in developing countries. According to the NGO SaveDnipro, more than 15 DFIs are currently active in Ukraine.
  • Projects with a budget of up to $3-$5 million can be submitted directly to a Ukrainian IFI partner bank.

As EcoPolitic reported in early April, in the first quarter of 2025, the Decarbonization Fund of Ukraine issued almost three times fewer soft loans and for half the amount than in the last quarter of 2024.

We also reported that on May 6, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Concept of the State Targeted Program to Support Enterprises Implementing the Best Available Technologies and Management Methods for the Period up to 2030.

Related
Ferrexpo accelerates its green transition: the company's environmental achievements within the framework of ESG
Ferrexpo accelerates its green transition: the company's environmental achievements within the framework of ESG

The company is implementing the Green Mine project, striving to minimize emissions in mining production

In Ukraine, the state will compensate the interest rate on energy efficiency loans
In Ukraine, the state will compensate the interest rate on energy efficiency loans

As part of the program to reduce the cost of "green" loans, the first loan has already been issued for the construction of a 12 MW solar power plant

Wild animals in the wild steppe: restoring grassland ecosystems helps to sequester carbon
Wild animals in the wild steppe: restoring grassland ecosystems helps to sequester carbon

Revitalizing grasslands can provide communities with income through the carbon credit market

The world cannot achieve the 1.5°C climate target – UN
The world cannot achieve the 1.5°C climate target – UN

If governments stick to their current commitments, global temperatures will rise by around 2.5°C