MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Launches Online Environmental, Social Training Program for Clients

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a UK-based multilateral institution that finances development projects, recently launched an online environmental and social training program that aims to help its clients manage the environmental and social risks that arise from their lending operations. The program includes an overview of environmental and social issues including operations that potentially cause environmental damage or threaten endangered species, as well as an overview of health, safety, labor and environmental regulations and standards. The program also provides interactive case studies and information on how to assess and monitor risk. The project aims to emphasize the importance of monitoring loans to help raise the environmental and social standards of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that benefit from EBRD services.

The course is free of charge and can be accessed any time via internet by EBRD clients. Users can continuously access and reference the program, even if they have completed the training session. Upon finishing the training session, users are able to take an exam and will receive a certificate upon its successful completion.

In 2012, EBRD invested EUR 8.7 billion (USD 11.4 billion) in 388 projects across 34 countries.

By Adrija Vaiciulionis, Research Associate

About European Bank for Reconstruction and Development:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a multilateral institution headquartered in London. The bank began operations in 1991 upon the agreement of 40 countries and is owned by 61 countries as well as the European Investment Bank and the European Union as of 2012. It aims to finance operations that are both commercially viable and assist development in 29 countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and North Africa. It does this by providing loans, debt securities, equity investments, guarantees and technical assistance to micro- and small businesses via commercial banks and non-bank microfinance institutions (MFIs). In 2012, EBRD invested EUR 8.7 billion (USD 11.4 billion) in 388 projects across 34 countries.

Sources and Additional Resources:

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Article, “EBRD Environmental and Social Training for Financial Clients Goes Online,”
http://www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2013/130920.shtml

MicroCapital Article, July 9, 2013, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Loans $80m to Turkey’s Yapi Kredi for SME Efficiency Projects,”
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-european-bank-for-reconstruction-and-development-loans-80m-to-turkeys-yapi-kredi-for-sme-energy-efficiency-projects/

MicroCapital Article, June 4, 2013, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Loans $2.6m to Mobiasbanca – Groupe Societe Generale of Moldova for Residential Energy Efficiency,”
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-european-bank-for-reconstruction-and-development-ebrd-loans-2-6m-to-mobiasbanca-groupe-societe-generale-of-moldova-for-residential-energy-efficiency/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
http://microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=European+Bank+for+Reconstruction+and+Development+%28EBRD%29

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