Country
Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine

Local Project Partner
AAB; UBA; GAEN, Microbank Crystal; KBA + KBA members, AMIK) + AMIK members; NCASCA, Moldindconbank; NMC-VFPO, Oschadbank

German Project Partner
Sparkassenverband Westfalen-Lippe, Ostdeutscher Sparkassenverband, Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden, Sparkasse Muldental, Sparkasse Elbe-Elster, Sparkasse Allgäu, Sparkasse Märkisches Sauerland Hemer - Menden

Donor
BMZ

Duration
01.01.2026 - 30.06.2028

The project countries face profound challenges due to similar political and economic developments. There are structural weaknesses such as high unemployment, significant brain drain, and a large informal sector. In addition, political problems such as corruption, weak rule of law, and political instability – for example in Georgia and Armenia – are hampering the development of financial markets and undermining confidence in state institutions. The geopolitical situation in the region, characterized by Russia's more or less strong influence, the pull of EU integration, and regional conflicts, is affecting stability and willingness to invest in individual countries. Nevertheless, the region is showing stable economic growth overall.

The project aims to build and expand local capacities for inclusive and resilient financial systems, including teaching skills for applying ESG principles, strengthening the financial inclusion of MSMEs and the population by promoting financial and entrepreneurial education, and increasing the competence in using financial services. The project's target groups are national and central banks, financial sector associations, and financial institutions on the supply side, as well as educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, MSMEs, and the general population, with a focus on young people, rural populations, and women on the demand side.

Tasks
The project aims to strengthen the capacities of selected financial institutions or financial associations so that they can offer adequate services to support the sustainable transformation of financial systems. In addition, the framework conditions for and implementation of international ESG standards and EU regulations are to be improved. Measures to promote financial and entrepreneurial education that take environmental aspects into account are intended to improve the conditions for the target groups to participate in the financial and economic system. A regional exchange of experience between the project countries at partner and employee level will be used to ensure knowledge transfer and the exploitation of synergy potential and best practice approaches.