With three different loans totalling €249 million signed today, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the economy of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the multiannual investment plans of the city’s university. The loan to the university is particularly innovative in that it will finance the research and development activities of academic and research staff as well as the upgrading of facilities.

University of Trento - €70 million

The EIB is supporting the modernisation of facilities and scientific research at the Trento University with a €70 million loan. Investment in tangible infrastructure represents 60% of the total project cost and will include the construction, refurbishment and equipping of teaching, research and support facilities. The support for research and development will consist of the financing of direct R&D investments plus the share of salaries of academic staff corresponding to the time spent on R&D and the salaries of research staff.

The infrastructure works to be financed by the European Investment Bank include: improvement of the energy efficiency of the building housing the Economics and Management Department; refurbishment of the rectory and the Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering Department; construction of a new building to house the Engineering Department’s library; conversion and modernisation of the Mathematics and Physics Department; modification of laboratories to house a data centre and conversion of teaching rooms into biotechnology and IT laboratories. An old building – formerly a tobacco factory – will be converted primarily into a neuroscience research facility. The project also includes the construction of a technical centre and the rezoning of the surrounding area.

The EIB’s commitment will cover nearly half of the total project cost of €150 million.

Province of Trento: renewable energy projects and other priorities - €145 million

A €145 million credit line is being made available to finance the projects of municipalities and other public sector entities in the Province of Trento. As well as renewable energy and energy efficiency plans, the funds may be used to finance urban renewal and regeneration, infrastructure, transport and education projects. In this case too, the EIB loan will cover 50% of the total investment cost of €290 million estimated by the Province of Trento.

Province of Trento: social amenities - €34 million

The third credit line – €34 million for social amenity investments in the Province of Trento – will be rolled into a previous loan of €170 million (making a total of €204 million). Projects in the areas of cultural heritage, health, education, sport, parks and social housing will be financed.