European financing opportunities to support the growth and investment plans of Hungarian businesses took centre stage at a joint event organised by HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group on 13 October. Building on the success of our recent joint event in July, the latest session introduced participants to the work of the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the financing instruments available to SMEs.
As the European Union's development bank, the EIB provides long-term financing for infrastructure projects, digitalisation and the green transition, among other areas. The EIF, which is part of the EIB Group, focuses primarily on improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. The activities of both institutions therefore align closely with HEPA's objectives, particularly in supporting the growth and international competitiveness of Hungarian businesses.
The event was opened by Dr. Gábor Péter Artner, Deputy CEO of HEPA. In his welcome address, he noted that EU financing opportunities can play an important role in helping businesses implement their development plans, although navigating the various financing schemes and their requirements is not always straightforward. He emphasised that there are no bad questions when it comes to financing, making events where companies can learn directly about the options available to them particularly valuable.
Stefania Ciraolo, Head of the EIB Group Office in Hungary, provided an overview of the European Investment Bank's structure, operations and financing instruments. Her presentation also highlighted the institution's exceptionally successful year in 2025, when 60% of its total financing supported green projects. She also explained how the bank contributes to Europe's economic development by supporting innovation, infrastructure and sustainable investment.
Kamil Pruchnik, Senior Regional Representative of the EIF, focused on the economic importance of SMEs and the financing challenges they face. As he explained, Europe's nearly 26 million small and medium-sized enterprises account for 99.8% of all businesses and employ almost 65% of the workforce. Despite their importance, one in four businesses faces difficulties accessing finance. He provided a detailed overview of the EIF's guarantee and equity investment instruments, which generally support businesses through banks and investment funds, as well as the Fund's future priorities. Over the past three decades, the EIF has supported the development of a total of 2.2 million European SMEs.
The importance of European financing for Hungary is reflected in the fact that the EIB Group has provided approximately EUR 25.8 billion in financing for projects in Hungary since 1990. In 2025 alone, the Group supported investments in Hungary with EUR 759 million, which, according to EIB estimates, could contribute to the implementation of development projects worth approximately EUR 2 billion. Priority areas include educational infrastructure, railway network development, climate finance and water infrastructure.
The presentations were followed by an informal networking session, giving participants the opportunity to discuss financing-related questions and establish new professional contacts. The continued cooperation between HEPA and the EIB Group marks another important step towards raising awareness of European financing opportunities and strengthening the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses with export potential.
The financing opportunities presented at the event remain available to Hungarian businesses looking to grow. Companies planning new investments, capacity expansion or international growth can find information on available financing programmes and partner financial institutions on the European Investment Fund’s dedicated Hungary page. Further information on intermediated loan schemes is available on the European Investment Bank’s website. Businesses are encouraged to contact the participating banks and fund managers directly for details on specific terms and conditions and application procedures, helping them turn their development plans into concrete investments as quickly as possible.