Financial instruments such as guarantees, loans or capital inputs are a modern way of supporting economically viable projects. They are usually considered to be an efficient tool for supporting the investments of the private sector. However, financial instruments are relevant also for the investments of regions, cities, municipalities or public utility companies. The National Development Bank (NRB CZ), which acts as the Czech promotional bank and the knowledge centre for financial instruments, contributes to the economic and sustainable development of the country, inter alia by offering soft loans to the public sector.

After prolonged pandemic-related business constraints or rising inflation, rising energy bills have become an urgent matter for entrepreneurs. Particularly SMEs have to make great efforts to keep their business due to increasing costs. The National Development Bank (NRB, CZ) is helping them to reduce energy costs through its ELENA and ENERGY SAVINGS programmes. The ELENA consultancy will cover 90% of the cost related to the preparation of energy-saving projects. Moreover, it helps to select the most appropriate investment financing from the range of interest-free loans offered by the NRB.

The European Investment Advisory Hub’s funding will enable the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank to strengthen support for investment projects in priority sectors such as renewable energy, transport, and the circular and digital economy. The advisory unit will accompany a wide range of public and private project promoters in the Czech Republic. EIB support will complement that provided by DG REFORM under the Structural Reform Support Programme.