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The European Investors Council and ProCredit Bank co-organized the second edition of the Sustainable Investment Forum. The event placed the spotlight on decarbonization and net-zero climate objectives for the private sector in Kosovo, with a particular emphasis on empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The Forum gathered over 200 participants from public and international institutions, development organizations, sector experts, and businesses, the majority of whom represented MSMEs—which make up around 90% of the private sector in the country.
In his opening remarks, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti underlined the Government’s commitment to following the European path of decarbonization, emphasizing the necessity of a just and sustainable transition.
The European Union Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, stressed that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Kosovo’s economy and must be at the center of the green transition. He highlighted that sustainable growth, energy reform, and European integration are processes that advance hand in hand.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo, Ahmet Ismaili, spoke about the importance of managing climate risks and the need to promote green finance as a key element for financial stability and sustainable development.
The Executive Director of the European Investors Council, Emrush Ujkani, emphasized that the green transition for Kosovo is not an external agenda, but an internal opportunity for development—for creating jobs, modernizing industries, attracting investment, and aligning with European standards.
Meanwhile, ProCredit Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Visar Paçarada, underlined that sustainability is not only a strategic advantage—it is a shared responsibility. The role of banks in the green transition will become increasingly important. It is no longer enough to simply provide financing—we must act as partners in the climate transition, equipping clients with the tools, knowledge, and incentives they need to succeed in a low-carbon economy. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the green transition (Net Zero) is an opportunity, not an obstacle, for our SME clients—an opportunity to modernize, reduce costs, gain a competitive edge, and secure that their business models remain sustainable in a European carbon-conscious economy.
During two panel discussions, representatives from the European Commission, the Energy Community Secretariat, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environment, financial institutions, and businesses addressed practical approaches for regional cooperation, accelerating decarbonization, and translating policies and regulations into concrete implementation at the private sector level.
Additionally, within the framework of the Forum, ProCredit Bank presented its latest project: the CO₂ Calculator, which enables business clients to measure and report their emissions, as well as compare their environmental performance against the national average. This calculator will be available online and offered free of charge to all businesses.
In the afternoon session, discussions focused on the impact of the EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Kosovo’s energy exports, as well as Canada’s experience in energy transition and opportunities to support MSMEs on this journey.
The Forum concluded with a call for closer regional cooperation, alignment of shared priorities, and concrete action toward a more sustainable future for Kosovo, with the private sector playing a central role in this transformation.
