European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

International bank established in 1991 to support the development of market economies in Central and Eastern Europe following the widespread collapse of communist regimes. It has 62 members (60 countries, the European Community, and the European Investment Bank) and is based in London, England.

The EBRD finances projects in both the private and public sectors, providing direct funding for financial institutions, infrastructure, and industry and commerce. Its investments also help to develop skills, to improve the efficiency of markets, and to strengthen the institutions that support these markets. The main forms of EBRD financing are loans, equity investments, and guarantees. A distinctive feature of its operations is its commitment to promote environmentally sound development. It operates in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.