Donors

EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international organization established in 1991. Its main role is to aid the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in their transition from centrally planned to market-based economies while promoting the concepts of multiparty democracy and pluralism.

The headquarters of the EBRD are in London. In addition, it has representative offices in all 27 countries of its operations, which are responsible for coordinating local activities.

The EBRD extends loans to companies that would have difficulty getting access to financing from other sources, and therefore complements the efforts of other creditors. The EBRD is a public institution with a unique mandate, but its methods of work are similar to those employed by commercial banks. The Bank participates only in commercially viable projects, applying sound banking principles to all of its operations.

Over 20 per cent of the EBRD's financing has assisted projects in Russia, and the Bank aims to increase this level of commitment - in particular, its support for small enterprises through the Russia Small Business Fund.

Further information about the Bank is available on the EBRD's website.

Technical Assistance

Financial support has been provided to the Russian Small Business Fund by the European Union, the USA, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland through their donor agencies. Successful institution building has been made possible thanks to the technical assistance offered to partner banks. The introduction of the Programme has provided them not only with a new source of funds but, more importantly, with small business lending technology, consultancy support and assistance in acquiring the equipment they need to lend through the RSBF.