Learning as a way of life

Lifelong learning has been adopted by the European Union as a key concept for the period 2007-2013 and is at the centre of the EIB's lending in this area. Apart from investment in buildings and equipment, the Bank also supports intangible investment in education.

• A key objective for the EIB is to improve the quality of education on offer: early childhood education - learning how to learn; all day schools - encouraging youngsters to learn more, whilst giving parents more freedom but also investment in teacher training, vocational education, corporate and on-the-job training, and work-based adult learning - keeping pace with developing skill needs as well as extending working life and participation.

• The Bank also supports the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area with tertiary education and academic research a priority to drive the knowledge frontier. This involves financial backing for leading edge universities in search of excellence and for reforms targeting the quality and competitiveness of tertiary education.

• The EIB also encourages the mobility of students, researchers and academic staff by supporting relevant national programmes and demand side measures through tailored student loan schemes.

• Investment is also necessary to bridge the gap between academia and business enterprises to promote innovation. The EIB lends to technology transfer initiatives and relevant national programmes.

• Finally, the EIB wants to promote projects addressing social exclusion and demographic change, including supporting reforms induced by new information and communication technologies (ICT) and facilitating the educational integration of immigrants.