The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has signed a €200 million ($225 million) portfolio guarantee agreement with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to promote sustainable investment among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps across France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Backed by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme, the initiative aims to improve access to leasing finance for green assets, with a strong emphasis on accelerating the environmental transition. Targeted sectors include sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, green technologies, and renewable energy.
The agreement represents the EIF’s largest multi-country guarantee for energy transition leasing solutions to date and marks its first InvestEU-supported partnership with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions.
“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to drive sustainable economic development by supporting European SMEs in their journey toward low-carbon business models,” said EIF Chief Executive Marjut Falkstedt. “By combining forces, we are facilitating more than €200 million in financing that will help companies invest in cleaner technologies and improve environmental performance.”
Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the EIB, added: “This partnership with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions perfectly aligns with the EIB Group’s mission—advancing innovation and competitiveness while promoting climate action through tailored financial instruments.”
Neil Pein, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, described the initiative as pivotal for Europe’s green transition. “This partnership will equip businesses with the resources they need to scale up innovation and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and resilient economy,” he said.
The financing made available under the agreement is expected to play a key role in supporting Europe’s climate targets by easing access to capital for environmentally-focused investments.