The SBCI recognises a wide group of stakeholders with an interest in its activities. It therefore regards stakeholder engagement as critical to ensuring that the SBCI activities are aligned with government policy and meet the financing needs of the Irish market. The SBCI achieves this through regular and effective engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders including SMEs, representative bodies, SME advisors, government departments, on-lender 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 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 and NPB/Is working group on the delivery of the European Investment Plan for Europe (otherwise known as the “Juncker plan¹”) during 2016.

• 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 at unlocking public and private investments in the “real economy” of at least €315bn over a three year fiscal period.