The SBCI recognises a wide group of stakeholders with an interest in its activities and therefore regards stakeholder engagement as critical to ensuring that its activities are aligned with Government policy and meets the financing needs of the Irish market. This is being achieved through regular and effective engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders including SMEs, representative bodies, SME advisors, Government Departments, on-lending partners and funders.

National Promotional or Development Banks/Institutions (NPB/Is) exist across Europe to address identified local or regional market failures. While their respective mandates may vary depending on jurisdictional priority, they have a commonality of purpose which has driven the creation of strong network groups or associations with specific market focus. The SBCI is a member of both NEFI (Network of European Financial Institutions for SMEs) and ELTIA (European Long Term Investors Association). These forums provide the SBCI with support and experience from other markets that is invaluable in the development of its role in the Irish market. The SBCI as a national promotional institution provides a local conduit to the Irish market for EU financing initiatives and has been a member of the EIB- NPB/Is working group on the delivery of the European Investment Plan for Europe (otherwise known as the “Juncker Plan¹”) during the course of 2015.

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• The “Juncker Plan” or “EU Infrastructure Investment Plan” is an ambitious investment programme first announced by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in November 2014. It aims to unlock public and private investments in the “real economy” to the values of at least €315 billion over a three year fiscal period.