EDGE Finance is a service offered by GET.invest, a leading European programme that mobilises investment in clean energy, co-funded by the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria.

No, EDGE Finance does not provide any funding or credit lines. EDGE Finance is a capacity building service, with offerings like online trainings and need-based coaching at its core.

No, EDGE Finance is free of charge for eligible domestic financial institutions. However, strong senior management buy-in is crucial for the success and sustainability of the outcomes. In addition, we also expect adequate time commitment, motivation and active engagement from participants throughout the implementation.

The EDGE Finance online training runs for approximately 13 weeks, with fixed start and end dates. Participants must complete the five modules according to the module deadlines but can organise their study time flexibly within each week.

The coaching activities are highly tailored to specific needs and ambitions of each partner financial institution (PFI). The process generally follows a structured high-level timeline:

• Project set-up (month 1): A working group is established, a needs assessment is conducted, and a coaching plan is developed. Foundational online content on green energy finance may be provided to ensure a common baseline among participants.
• In-depth coaching (months 2–5): The coaching content is based on identified needs and agreed with each financial institution individually. It could cover strategic, tactical, and operational aspects, for instance developing FI strategy, market positioning, products and services, and credit and risk processes. Activities are paced to allow for ongoing learning and real-life application, with schedules aligned to the institution’s needs. While the advisory team holds regular in-person workshops, it could also accompany FI staff on client visits and provide input on critical topics on demand.
• Post-implementation support (month 6+): To ensure EDGE Finance coaching and training deliver sustained results for the FI, follow-up support could be provided through refresher trainings, workshops, or virtual consultations.

Typical allocation includes up to 15 participants in the EDGE Finance online training and up to 5 participants in the EDGE Finance coaching sessions.

It largely depends on the specific areas selected for the coaching activities, which are individually aligned for each partner financial institution based on the results of the conducted needs assessment. Most commonly, the departments involved include risk management, credit, product and business development. However, the exact departments engaged may vary depending on the unique organizational structure and focus areas of each partner.

The online training provided by EDGE Finance contains the following five modules:

• Module 1: Energy Systems Overview (fundamental courses)
• Module 2: Introduction to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
• Module 3: Renewable Energy Project Feasibility and Valuation
• Module 4: Renewable Energy Project Financing and Risk Management
• Module 5: Sustainable Finance.

Providing support to financial institutions in accessing funding or guarantees offered by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) is not yet the core of our service delivery. However, we do have a wide network of financiers and DFIs and can establish links where possible and relevant. For instance, EDGE Finance can guide FIs on how to use funding from DFIs, the EU, GCF, and EFSD+; offer carbon finance expertise, including how to generate carbon credits for green energy projects; connecting them to GET.invest advisory services to build green energy investment pipelines and refer projects for support; promote EDGE Finance-supported banks in the GET.invest database to boost visibility and access to funding opportunities; facilitate partnerships with tech providers, renewable energy firms, and other banks for shared learning and co-financing.

Throughout the implementation of EDGE Finance, the banks will have access to knowledge products on relevant green finance topics, and to a series of materials and tools that will be provided as part of the coaching activities. These could be integrated into the financial institution’s Learning Management Systems. On the other hand, banks cannot freely integrate EDGE Finance training materials from the Renewables Academy AG (i.e. the organisation providing the online training, short RENAC) into their Learning Management Systems without prior permission.

EDGE Finance supports partner financial institutions in designing financial products that facilitate investments in green energy projects. Our assistance is tailored to the stage of product development and delivered in close cooperation with each FI and the project working group. For new green energy products, we offer support at any stage, including market inquiries, client feedback collection, product feature proposals based on loan portfolio and competitor analysis, and the development of tools such as checklists and calculation aids specific to green energy loans. We also provide ongoing guidance during implementation, including process reviews and mentoring of FI officers. For established green energy product ranges, our support may include analysis and recommendations for improvement.

GET.invest’s Finance Access Advisory has a robust pipeline of green energy projects seeking financing. By being integrated in the broader GET.invest ecosystem, financial institutions (FIs) can access this pipeline through a strategic, bi-directional referral system. EDGE Finance further builds FI capacity to identify green energy investment opportunities within existing and prospective client bases. It can support the development of strategies for developing green lending portfolios, including marketing and communication for new products. It trains staff to explain the benefits of green energy finance and to engage clients in informed conversations. This equips FIs to proactively source and engage with potential green energy projects.

The post-implementation support is discussed individually after the completion of the coaching activities and depends to a large extend on the achieved results, demonstrated level of engagement and proven results. Examples of support include virtual meetings up until four months after the implementation, annual workshops with partner financial institutions, and continued efforts to integration with the GET.invest Finance Access Advisory.