Project Description

EPI CENTAR International has been engaged by Finance in Motion, through the EFSE Development Facility, to provide technical advisory support for the development and practical application of green finance solutions within Horizonti Microfinance Institution. The assignment supports the institution in strengthening its capacity to identify, assess and promote sustainable agriculture investments among farmers, rural households and micro and small agricultural businesses in North Macedonia.

The project focuses on adapting green finance concepts to the operational context of microfinance, where agricultural clients often have smaller investment needs, seasonal income patterns and specific repayment capacities. The support is aimed at improving the practical use of green finance criteria, strengthening internal understanding of sustainable agriculture investments, and supporting a more targeted approach to agricultural clients.

Objectives and Project Focus

The assignment is designed to support the development of practical and accessible green finance solutions for the agriculture sector. The work focuses on:

• Adaptation of Green Finance Criteria: Reviewing how sustainable agriculture investment categories can be applied in the context of microfinance clients and smaller-scale agricultural producers.
• Assessment of Agricultural Client Needs: Analysing the types of investments that are relevant for farmers and rural clients, including improvements in irrigation, farm equipment, production efficiency, energy use and climate resilience.
• Institutional Capacity Building: Supporting staff understanding of green agriculture finance, eligible investment categories and practical ways to identify potential green investment opportunities.
• Product and Process Recommendations: Providing recommendations on how green finance products and internal procedures can be better aligned with the realities of agricultural production, seasonal income flows and rural client needs.
• Client Outreach and Communication: Supporting a more structured approach to informing farmers and rural businesses about available financing opportunities for sustainable agriculture investments.

EPI CENTAR International provides technical and field-based advisory support throughout the assignment. The main activities include consultations with relevant institutional teams, review of agricultural lending practices, analysis of potential green investment categories, preparation of practical recommendations, and development of training inputs for staff involved in agricultural finance.

Expected Results and Added Value

The project is expected to contribute to stronger institutional capacity for promoting and processing green agricultural finance within Horizonti Microfinance Institution. It will support a more practical understanding of sustainable agriculture investments and their relevance for small farmers, rural households and agricultural micro-businesses.

The assignment will also provide recommendations for improving the fit between financial products and agricultural realities, including investment cycles, repayment dynamics, client outreach channels and the practical application of green eligibility criteria. Through this work, EPI CENTAR International contributes to the development of more accessible green finance solutions for the agriculture sector and supports the wider transition toward more sustainable and resilient rural production systems in North Macedonia.

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