In Tunisia , small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) account for 95% of the companies, 40% of production, 46% of employment but only for 20% of added value and 30% of exports.

The EBRD together with the support of donors, has established the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), a EUR 60 million credit line to local Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to on-lend to Tunisian SMEs operating in value chains for their investment in high-performing equipment that integrate energy, water and resource efficiency.

Specifically, the EBRD GEFF Facility supports local SMEs to move from low value-added to high value-added production in terms of know-how and skills.

GEFF offers to SMEs wishing to innovate and modernise their installations through green technologies:

• technical support to develop a green profitable investment project;
• a loan or lease obtained through one of the PFIs to implement the investment; ; and
• an investment grant of 10% *of the eligible credit amount received after successful project completion.

In addition, partnerships with donors have enabled the programme to support SMEs to access global or regional value chains by improving their competitiveness through green investments.

GEFF in Tunisia is supported by the European Union.