10.03.2026.

The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) signed today the Financing Agreement for the implementation of the new “Energy Efficiency Loans for Entrepreneurs“ financial instrument, which promotes investments by entrepreneurs of all sizes and types of ownership structure in the increase of energy efficiency and the installation of equipment for the use of renewable energy resources.
 
The Agreement was signed with the presidents of the management boards of the commercial banks that were selected for the implementation of the Programme through the public procurement procedure. These are: Erste&Steiermärkische bank d.d., Hrvatska poštanska banka d.d., OTP banka d.d., Privredna banka Zagreb d.d. and Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d.
 
When presenting the Programme, the President of the Management Board of HBOR Hrvoje Čuvalo pointed out that energy efficiency and renewable energy resources were the key elements of sustainable development, which represented the foundation of  balanced economic growth.

“HBOR continuously develops financial instruments and programmes through which we endeavour to promote new investments and provide entrepreneurs with favourable sources of financing for their development projects. This Programme is another step in this regard since we enable entrepreneurs to make investments that will simultaneously increase their competitiveness, and also contribute to the green transition of the economy. Cooperation with commercial banks, which, in addition to European funds, have also activated their own funds, is particularly important. In this way, public funds become a leverage for mobilising additional capital from the financial sector, and the total amount of EUR 250 million is made available to Croatian entrepreneurs for new investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources," said Čuvalo.
 
EUR 250 million available to entrepreneurs
 
For the implementation of this programme, the amount of EUR 125 million has been provided from the European Regional Development Fund, while the amount of around EUR 125 million is provided by the aforementioned commercial banks. It is important to point out that the programme is implemented under the 2021 - 2027 Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, the management body of which is the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
 
“Having in mind current global processes, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels is a necessity and a top priority for ensuring the sustainability of our economy. Therefore, through the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, we have foreseen EUR 1 billion  in the current financial envelope to encourage energy savings and to reduce pollution, of which EUR 440 million through financial instruments. Owing to the good cooperation and  contributions of all institutions involved, as well as the possibility of partial write-off of the loan principal of up to 50 percent for achieved energy savings, this financial instrument has become an example of good practice of investing in entrepreneurship“, said the State Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds Zrinka Raguž, adding that other European Union member countries are actively expressing interest in exchanging knowledge and experience in the implementation of this instrument.
 
Possibility of writing off part of the loan principal of up to 50 percent
 
Energy Efficiency Loans for Entrepreneurs can be used by companies registered for performing an activity in the area of manufacturing industry, and commercial and service sectors. One of the most important elements of the programme is the possibility of capital discount, i.e. the write-off of part of the loan principal of up to 50 percent, after the prescribed criteria have been met, thus making this credit line extremely attractive.
 
The signing of the Agreement was also attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Economy, Ivan Rakocija, while the signature itself on behalf of the mentioned commercial banks was given by the presidents of the management boards - Mr. Christoph Schoefboeck (Erste&Steiermärkische bank), Mr. Marko Badurina (HPB), Mr. Balazs Bekeffy (OTP), Mr. Dinko Lucić (PBZ) and Ms. Liana Keserić (RBA). It is also important to note that entrepreneurs will be directly financed via mentioned commercial banks.
 
The Programme is active as of today, and more details about eligible activities, as well as the criteria for writing off part of the loan principal and all other terms and conditions can be found on HBOR’s website Energy Efficiency Loans for Entrepreneurs | HBOR.