The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the lending arm of the European Union and one of the biggest multilateral finance institutions in the world. The EIB microfinance unit promotes sustainable and responsible investing in micro-enterprises and gives people opportunities to create and expand their businesses. The EIB’s microfinance activities includes loans to inclusive financial service providers such as microfinance institutions and small banks, equity investments for private equity funds, and guarantees. We also support new technologies that improve lives and help businesses run efficiently. Through our dedicated advisory team, we also offer customised technical assistance for local financial institutions as well as final beneficiaries themselves. We support inclusive finance institutions so they can become more efficient and we advise them on how to help their clients better manage and grow their businesses and ultimately sustain jobs.