EBRD and Italy to support youth economic inclusion and SMEs in SEMED

May 11, 2018
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Italy, through its Ministry of Economy and Finance, is supporting the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) initiatives to promote economic inclusion in the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, with a particular focus on supporting youth employment and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

A grant agreement was signed at the 2018 EBRD Annual Meeting in Jordan on May 9th in the presence of the EBRD’s Alternate Governor for Italy, Gelsomina Vigliotti, EBRD Vice President, Policy and Partnerships, Pierre Heilbronn, and EBRD Managing Director for SME Finance, Claudio Viezzoli.

The programme will promote quality, work-based learning opportunities as a route towards employment for young people. It will also involve specific projects to build the capacity of local SMEs to recruit more effectively and retain skilled young people. The programme will provide EBRD direct investment and risk-sharing support for SMEs that have the potential to offer employment to young job-seekers.

Italy is a founding member of the EBRD and an important contributor to the Bank’s work. It is among the major contributors to the EBRD technical cooperation funds and investment co-financing funds, with €133 million provided since 1992.

 

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Countries covered:

  • Algeria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Palestine *
  • Syria *
  • Tunisia