Strategy

The operational strategy of the Bank is:

• To finance viable capital projects which further EU objectives
• To borrow on the capital markets to finance these projects

For further information on the borrowing strategy of the EIB, see the Capital Markets section.

Within the EU the EIB has 6 priority objectives for its lending activity which are set out in the Bank’s business plan, the Corporate Operational Plan (COP).

• Cohesion and Convergence
• Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Environmental sustainability
• Implementation of the Innovation 2010 Initiative (i2i)
• Development of Trans-European Networks of transport and energy (TENs)
• Sustainable, competitive and secure energy

The COP is approved by the Board of Directors and defines medium-term policy and operational priorities for objectives given to the Bank by its Governors. It is also an instrument evaluating the EIB's activities. This rolling plan spans three years, with the strategic projections adapted annually to take account of new mandates and changes in the economic climate.

Outside the EU EIB lending is based on EU external cooperation and development policies.

EU Mandates are:

• Pre-Accession:
  Candidate and Potential Candidate countries in the Enlargement region
• European Neighbourhood:
  Mediterranean Neighbourhood
  Russia and Eastern Neighbours
• Development:
  Africa, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP)
  Republic of South Africa
• Economic Cooperation:
  Asia and Latin America (ALA)

Lending under these mandates focuses on:

• Private sector development
• Infrastructure development
• Security of energy supply
• Environmental sustainability