EIB, Rabobank & DLL Launch €1B Green Agribusiness Fund

The European Investment Bank (EIB), in collaboration with Rabobank and its leasing subsidiary DLL, has launched a major funding initiative worth €1 billion aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies across Europe. This partnership is designed to improve access to finance for businesses prioritising sustainability, the green transition, and bioeconomy-linked sectors such as agriculture.

Financing Agreements to Accelerate the Green Transition

As part of this initiative, the EIB has entered into two separate loan agreements, each valued at €250 million, one with Rabobank and the other with DLL. These agreements are expected to significantly ease the financing constraints faced by SMEs and mid-caps, enabling them to undertake investments that support energy efficiency, climate action, and broader environmental goals.

Rabobank’s Commitment to Dutch Sustainability Projects

Rabobank’s portion of the funding will specifically support SMEs and mid-cap companies operating in the Netherlands. The bank will not only borrow €250 million from the EIB but will also contribute an equal amount from its own reserves, thereby creating a €500 million facility. This fund will back small-scale projects with a sharp focus on climate-conscious and sustainable business practices. A minimum of 40% of these investments will be directed towards climate-relevant areas, while another 40% will be channelled into the bioeconomy, particularly agriculture.

DLL to Extend Green Financing Across Europe

DLL, Rabobank’s leasing arm, will mirror this approach with its own €250 million loan from the EIB, matched by an equal contribution from its internal resources. DLL’s program has a broader geographical reach, spanning multiple EU member states, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The objective is to boost access to financing for companies with sustainability goals, especially those focused on the circular economy, food security, and clean energy solutions.

Scaling Impact Across the EU Through Coordinated Funding

Together, the combined efforts of the EIB, Rabobank, and DLL will unlock a total of €1 billion in fresh capital for Europe’s small and mid-sized businesses. This infusion of funding is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Europe’s transition toward a greener economy by supporting companies committed to sustainable innovation, agricultural advancement, and environmental resilience.

“It is important to understand that climate financing is a key driver of economic growth,” states EIB Vice President Robert de Groot. “We have to look at the bigger picture, which is that climate change is disrupting business and economic behaviours. We have a long track-record with Rabobank and DLL in terms of climate relevant financing, and hope that this facility can convince other financiers to make available more support for entrepreneurs developing more sustainable projects.”

Carlo van Kemenade, Director Retail NL and Member of the Managing Board of Rabobank: “We are proud to build on the successful partnership with the EIB and the new launch of impact loans. Sustainability is an important pillar of Rabobank’s strategy. Clients are also very positive about this impact loan. The interest rate discount is both a reward for the impact they have as a leader in sustainability and an encouragement to continue on the path we have set with our clients.”

“As a transition partner for a better world, DLL believes that sustainability is fundamental to long-term business success,” says Lara Yocarini, Member of the Managing Board, Rabobank, and CEO and Chair of the Executive Board of DLL. “The attractive funding from the European Investment Bank will enhance our ability to provide more accessible, affordable, and tailored leasing solutions, ultimately reducing barriers for our partners and customers to invest in more sustainable equipment and technology.”