Luxembourg, January 15, 2026 – REDI Economic Development S.A. (REDI Fund), the first Roma impact investment fund in Europe, has signed an agreement for a €2 million loan from the European Investment Fund (EIF). The purpose of the loan is to strengthen REDI Fund’s institutional capacity and support its efforts to attract new investors. As a result REDI will be able to provide more financing to microfinance institutions that finance Roma-led businesses across Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
The new EIF capacity building loan accompanies REDI Fund’s existing facilities from the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Soros Economic Development Fund, reinforcing its role as a trusted intermediary between institutional investors and inclusive microfinance providers. The agreement marks an important milestone in the development of sustainable finance ecosystems that promote social inclusion and equal opportunity.
Across Central and Eastern Europe, many Roma entrepreneurs face persistent barriers in getting access to finance despite running viable small businesses. Limited collateral, lack of formal credit history, and discrimination in financial institutions have kept most Roma-owned enterprises outside formal credit systems. REDI Fund works to close this gap by partnering with microfinance institutions that understand and serve this market responsibly.
“This agreement validates our approach to inclusive investment and will help us scale our efforts to build a fairer economic system,” said Petrica Dulgheru, Board Member at REDI Fund. “Roma entrepreneurs not only support their own families but also strengthen their communities by creating jobs and local growth. Supporting them is an investment in Europe’s shared prosperity and social cohesion”.
“The EIF supports businesses across Europe and, as a part of that, we want to promote inclusive growth and give a chance to underserved entrepreneurs to start and grow their business.” said Merete Clausen, deputy Chief Executive at the European Investment Fund. “I am proud that – through the partnership with the REDI Fund – EIF can support Roma talent and entrepreneurs and create lasting social impact on a very local level.”
Established in 2019 and wholly owned by the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), REDI Fund is dedicated to expanding access to finance for Roma entrepreneurs and enterprises active in Roma communities. To date, the Fund has partnered with seven microfinance institutions in Romania, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, helping to finance more than 750 small entrepreneurs. By combining capital, technical assistance, and advocacy, REDI Fund works to increase Roma participation in the economy and demonstrate that inclusive investment is both impactful and financially sustainable.
About REDI Economic Development S.A. (REDI Fund)
REDI Fund is a Luxembourg-based impact investment company that promotes financial inclusion by channeling capital and providing technical assistance to microfinance institutions (MFIs) serving Roma entrepreneurs and enterprises active in Roma communities. REDI Fund is wholly owned by the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative NGO (REDI), which advances Roma economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, and capacity building.
About the European Investment Fund (EIF)
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of sustainability, innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.