The European Investment Bank (EIB) said it has signed a €200 million financing agreement with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies operating in the agriculture and bioeconomy sectors across Europe.
“The financing is part of the EIB’s broader €3 billion pan-European agricultural programme, launched in 2024 to support sustainable investment across the sector,” said the EIB.
“The programme places a particular emphasis on improving access to finance for young, new and female farmers, who often face structural barriers in securing funding.
“The financing will be rolled out across several EU Member States, with initial allocations expected in Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.”
At least 30% of the financing will be dedicated to climate action and environmental sustainability, supporting investments such as energy-efficient agricultural equipment like tractors and combine harvesters, renewable energy solutions, and technologies contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The programme will also support the modernisation and productivity of the agricultural sector, particularly through investments in assets with long economic lifetimes that are often difficult to finance through traditional banking channels.
“By leveraging BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions’ pan-European platform, the initiative is expected to improve access to long-term financing, reduce financing costs, extend maturities and mobilise additional private investment,” said the EIB.
“A minimum of 70% of the financing will be allocated to SMEs, with midcaps representing up to 30%.”
EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “This operation will help European farmers and agri‑businesses invest in modern, more sustainable equipment, strengthen their resilience and better manage climate and market pressures.
“By addressing persistent market gaps and working with trusted partners such as BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, we are making long‑term finance more accessible, accelerating the transition towards a more resource‑efficient and competitive agricultural sector.”
Neil Pein, Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, said: “This agreement reflects our commitment to supporting the transformation of European agriculture by making financing more accessible, more flexible and more aligned with the challenges our clients face.
“By combining the strength of the EIB with our pan-European leasing platform, we are helping farmers and agri-businesses invest in more efficient, sustainable equipment while preserving their capacity to grow.”
This initiative contributes directly to key European policy objectives, including the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, while aligning with the EIB Group’s 2024–2027 Strategic Roadmap, where agriculture and bioeconomy are identified as core priorities.
It also addresses persistent market failures in rural financing, particularly the limited availability of long-term funding for agricultural businesses.
In 2025, the EIB Group provided €6.9 billion in financing to the agriculture and bioeconomy sector, with approximately 60% channelled to SMEs via partner financial institutions.