The European Commission has announced the launch of a new fund called EaSI Funded Instrument with a loan fund of €200 million to boost the lending capacity of microfinance institutions and social enterprise lenders in Europe.
The EaSI Funded Instrument provides senior and subordinated loans to microfinance institutions and social enterprise lenders to boost on-lending to micro-enterprises and social enterprises.
In order to support job creation and social inclusion, the EaSI Funded Instrument aims to improve access to finance for micro-enterprises, including the self-employed and those that employ vulnerable people, and social enterprises.
The loan fund is a partnership between the EU, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. The European Investment Fund has been selected as the fund manager.