SPEED: Sustainable Banking for Palestine’s SMEs
Stronger SMEs through sustainable finance
Access to finance for sustainable investment remains limited in Palestine. Many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) lack the awareness or capacity to access green finance. Banks, in turn, often lack the tools, systems and expertise to design and manage sustainable financial products that meet their communities’ needs.
SPEED strengthens Palestinian financial institutions so they can offer inclusive and sustainable financial services. It helps banks embed environmental and social (E&S) principles into their strategies, risk management systems and product design. This helps banks better serve MSMEs, particularly women-led businesses, while supporting climate resilience and economic recovery.
In this way, SPEED aims to support Palestine’s path towards a more resilient economy and a sustainable, forward-looking financial sector.
SPEED is implemented by GIZ Palestine through the Alternative Approaches to Financial Inclusion of SMEs in Palestine II (A-FIN II) project, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is part of the Green Growth Palestine (GGP) project, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and BMZ.
Implementing Partners
Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Palestine) on behalf of The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU).
Technical Assistance Facility
The SPEED initiative provides local financial institutions with tailor-made technical assistance, supporting them in designing, implementing, and institutionalising sustainable banking models.
Support is customised to each bank’s needs and combines strategic advisory, hands-on system development, training, and pilot implementation.
Technical Assistance Packages
Objective: To support the financial service providers in developing and formalizing a comprehensive Environmental & Social (E&S) strategy and policy framework aligned with international standards and sustainable finance principles.
Envisioned Outcomes:
- Established or strengthened E&S policies and governance structures.
- Improved management of environmental and social risks.
- Stronger alignment with international best practices.
Objective: To support financial service providers in designing and launching innovative sustainable financial products that align with sustainability goals
Envisioned Outcomes:
- Expanded portfolio of sustainable financial products Increased market competitiveness in sustainable finance
- Stronger alignment with regulatory incentives and ESG requirements
Objective: To support financial service providers in designing and implementing a robust environmental and social risk management system to integrate ESG considerations into lending decisions
Envisioned Outcomes:
- Improved ESG risk identification and mitigation
- Reduced exposure to ESG-related financial and reputational risks
- Increased alignment with EGS standards and stakeholder expectations
Objective: To support financial service providers in improving their internal environmental performance by enhancing resource efficiency and reducing their operational footprint.
Envisioned Outcomes:
- Reduced energy, water, and resource consumption.
- Lower operational costs through efficiency measures.
- Decreased carbon footprint and improved environmental performance.
- Strengthened internal sustainability practices and staff awareness.
Objective: To enhance financial service providers’ capacity to monitor, measure, and report on their environmental and social impact in line with sustainable finance and ESG standards.
Envisioned Outcomes:
- Strengthened impact monitoring frameworks and KPIs.
- Improved data collection and ESG reporting practices.
- Increased transparency and accountability toward stakeholders.
Application
To apply for the technical assistance facility, please complete the application form below.
Application Process
Institutions who wish to participate must submit an application for the technical assistance. All applications will be reviewed by an expert panel who will decide the participating financial institutions.
- Submit your application via the online form.
- GIZ reviews all applications.
- If accepted, a kick-off meeting arranged with Frankfurt School and GIZ.
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