SECI is not an economic assistance program, but rather a self-help program. It would not rely on any public financial commitments to defray the cost of construction projects. International financial institutions can assist SECI by lending funds for such purposes. With technical assistance provided by the supporting states, SECI aims to help the participating states in effectively locating and using their own resources and help them qualify for funds from international lending institutions. The World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) cooperated with SECI, by working together with SECI participating states in order to facilitate project implementation. Representatives from these IFIs have participated and supported relevant project groups and SECI activities

Within the Stability Pact for SEE they joined forces under a Stability Pact IFIs Advisory Group. The latter consisted of representatives from all these institutions who gather together in order to discuss and agree on a more coordinated and targeted investment action within SEE. The IFI Advisory Group is currently functioning within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council, as one of its crucial counterparts within the economic development and infrastructure priority areas.