EBRD launches Vital Infrastructure Support Programme

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has launched an emergency support programme for infrastructure providers across its emerging economies to ensure the provision of vital services despite acute pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.

The EBRD’s initiative, part of its overall Solidarity Package response to Covid-19, will focus on the provision of green, sustainable infrastructure.

The Vital Infrastructure Support Programme contains three financing tools:

• Working capital lines to municipalities and utilities. The EBRD will deploy these credit lines through local banks to support the continuity of infrastructure services and/or infrastructure investment programmes.
• Stabilisation facilities for key infrastructure providers. These will be direct loans to key services providers to provide liquidity following temporary revenue losses due to Covid‐19, with the aim of protecting the delivery of vital services and infrastructure.
• Investment financing for public sector clients. The EBRD will provide finance to public sector clients to support vital capital expenditure that is otherwise threatened by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.