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 hamper the development of financial markets and undermine confidence in state institutions. The geopolitical situation in the region, characterized by Russia's varying degrees of influence, the pull of EU integration, and regional conflicts, affects stability and willingness to invest in the individual countries. Nevertheless, the region is experiencing stable economic growth overall.
The project objectives are to establish 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 and partners are 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 also 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 the level of the partner institutions and their employees is to be established in order to ensure knowledge transfer and the exploitation of synergy potential and best practice approaches.
