Standard Window
GUARANTEE FOR ALL!
The Standard Window is a guarantee scheme of the Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund (KCGF) that supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in eligible sectors of Kosovo's economy. Introduced when KCGF was established in 2016, it aims to facilitate access to finance for investments and working capital, creating more opportunities for business development and growth.Timely access to finance is essential for any MSME seeking to invest, expand its operations or strengthen its competitiveness. However, collateral requirements and credit risk may constrain this access. Through the Standard Window, KCGF shares part of the risk with Registered Financial Institutions, increasing their capacity to finance businesses and support their investments.The Standard Window therefore aims to improve access to finance for MSMEs while supporting business growth, the development of economic sectors, job creation, and a more sustainable and competitive private sector.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
The Standard Window is available to MSMEs that meet the basic eligibility criteria
| CRITERION | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Business status | Micro, small or medium enterprise |
| Registration | Business registered with the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (KBRA) |
| Ownership | Privately owned |
| Number of employees | Less than 250 employees |
| Sector | Eligible sectors of the economy |
GUARANTEE FEATURES
The Standard Window combines flexibility in the use of financing with high loan limits and long repayment periods.
| CHARACTERISTIC | TERMS |
|---|---|
| Guarantee coverage | Up to 50% |
| Minimum loan amount | €3,000 |
| Maximum loan amount | €3,000,000 |
| Maximum guarantee amount | €500,000 |
| Maximum loan maturity | 120 months |
| Loan purposes | Working capital and capital investments |
ADDED VALUE
The benefits of the Standard Window extend beyond the guarantee itself. It creates value for both businesses and Registered Financial Institutions:
- Improved access to finance
- More favourable financing terms
- Reduced collateral requirements
- Support for investments and working capital
- Support for business development and
- sustainability
- Reduced credit risk
- Reduced cost of risk
- Opportunities to expand the loan portfolio
- Faster loan processing
- Expanded financing for strategic segments of the
- economy
The Standard Window connects businesses financing needs with financial institutions capacity to finance growth, sharing risk and creating more opportunities for investment and development.
HOW THE GUARANTEE SCHEME WORKS
KCGF has no direct contact with borrowers.Communication with the borrower takes place through the Registered Financial Institution.
Responsibilities and monitoring
KCGF operates on the premise that the RFI will conduct an appropriate credit risk assessment and verify the eligibility of the borrower and the loan.To monitor and oversee the performance of each participating RFI, KCGF has developed two monitoring mechanisms: