European Investment Fund
{{Short description|Agency of the European Union}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = European Investment Fund
| logo = European Investment Fund logo new.svg
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| type = International financial institution
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| location = Luxembourg
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| owner = EU member states
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| website = {{URL|www.eif.org}}
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{{Politics of the European Union mini}}
The European Investment Fund (EIF), established in 1994, is a financial institution for the provision of finance to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), headquartered in Luxembourg. It is part of the European Investment Bank Group.
It does not lend money to SMEs directly; rather it provides finance through private banks and funds. Its main operations are in the areas of venture capital and guaranteeing loans. Its shareholders are: the European Investment Bank (62%); the European Union, represented by the European Commission (29%); and 30 financial institutions (9%).{{cite web| url = http://www.eif.org/about/shareholder/index.htm| title = EIF – Shareholders}}
The European Investment Bank Group is able to assist the development of a broader creative, green ecosystem through the European Investment Fund: venture capital funds, technical transfer, business perspectives, and private-sector equity (infrastructure funds) in general.{{Cite book|last=Bank|first=European Investment|url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/the-eib-group-climate-bank-roadmap|title=The EIB Group Climate Bank Roadmap 2021-2025|date=2020-12-14|publisher=European Investment Bank|isbn=978-92-861-4908-5|language=EN}}{{Cite web|title=OTB Ventures launches new $60m fund to back European businesses at the next stage of growth|url=https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/equity/news/2021/otb-ventures-launches-new-60m-fund-to-back-european-businesses-at-the-next-stage-of-growth.htm|access-date=2021-10-12|website=eif.org}}
Since 2015, the EaSI Guarantee Instrument (EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation), managed by the European Investment Fund, has provided over €280 million in guarantees across Europe and is expected to provide over €3 billion in financing to micro-enterprises and social enterprises. In the coming years, the EIF intends to continue providing assistance to these types of final beneficiaries in areas heavily impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economy.{{Cite web|title=EaSI Guarantee Instrument|url=https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/microfinance/easi/easi-guarantee-instrument/index.htm|access-date=2021-10-18|website=eif.org}}
The EIF is managed by a Chief Executive who acts independently in the EIF's best interests. As of 1 January 2023, the Chief Executive is Marjut Falkstedt.{{Cite web |title=Senior Management |url=https://www.eif.org/who_we_are/governance/management/index.htm?lang=-en |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.eif.org}}