• EUR 400m for smart and sustainable projects promoted by Belgian towns and cities
  • First review: the "Smart Cities" initiative is gaining momentum, including in small municipalities
  • Eight projects are already being financed by the EIB through Belfius and many others are currently being examined

Last June, Belfius Banque and the European Investment Bank (EIB) launched a EUR 400m joint financing programme for the implementation of smart and sustainable projects in line with a "Smart Cities" approach - a European first. Nine months later and progress is excellent:  the first loans totalling EUR 35m for concrete projects have just been approved.  A considerable number of smart projects from towns, cities and inter-municipal utilities are currently being examined.  The "Smart Cities" movement is clearly forging ahead in Belgium too.

Here, as in other parts of Europe and the world, debates and initiatives on the construction of the cities of tomorrow are becoming widespread. In order to help Belgian towns and cities – including the smallest ones – to become fully involved in this dynamic process, Belfius Banque and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have developed a joint financing programme for a total of no less than EUR 400m, specifically for the implementation of smart and sustainable projects promoted by Belgian local authorities.

Launched in June 2014 as the first its kind in Europe, this joint EIB/Belfius "Smart Cities & Sustainable Development" programme immediately aroused genuine interest. More than 80 projects in the three supported areas - mobility, urban development and energy efficiency - have already been or are currently being examined. The majority of these projects clearly meet the eligibility criteria, confirming that the "Smart Cities" approach has also been set in motion in Belgium.

EUR 35m for eight projects so far

Eight projects have now already been selected to receive "Smart Cities & Sustainable Development" financing on the preferential terms linked to EIB funds. These smart and sustainable projects concern:

  • the construction of a "near-zero energy" building for sheltered accommodation in the municipality of Schelle (Antwerp);
  • new administrative centres in the municipalities of Bierbeek (Flemish Brabant), Sint-Gillis-Waas (East Flanders) and Gembloux (Namur);
  • the redevelopment of a brownfield site in the municipality of Wetteren (East Flanders);
  • the renovation and extension of the rest homes of the public social assistance centres (CPAS) of Stekene (East Flanders) and Kampenhout (Flemish Brabant); and
  • the installation of a compressed natural gas (CNG) plant by the inter-municipal utility IMOG in Harelbeke (West Flanders).

The objective of this programme is to minimise borrowing costs for municipalities, CPAS and inter-municipal utilities in order to support their innovative and sustainable approach. The EIB and Belfius will each provide half of the funds.

Delighted with the success of the "Smart Cities & Sustainable Development" programme, EIB Vice-President Pim van Ballekom, stated, "This programme in partnership with Belfius is a first for Belgium and also for Europe. It aims to provide impetus to the 'Smart Cities' initiative in line with the 'Europe 2020' strategy for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. This approach must become the new standard for the development of the towns and cities of tomorrow in order to ensure their future, and we are there to help them carry out their projects."

Dirk Gyselinck, member of Belfius Banque's Management Board, added, "Regardless of their size, towns have no other choice but to become smart in order to remain attractive. Even though there is no shortage of ideas, projects may still run into financing hurdles when it comes to putting them into practice. It is precisely to facilitate the implementation of the numerous smart projects in pipelines or at the embryo stage throughout the country that Belfius has developed the "Smart Cities & Sustainable Development" programme with the EIB."

Note to editors:

The European Investment Bank (EIB)

The European Investment Bank (EIB), whose shareholders are the Member States of the European Union (EU), is the EU's long-term financing institution. It provides long-term finance in support of quality projects to contribute to the achievement of the EU’s key objectives. In 2014, it advanced a total of EUR 77bn, including EUR 19bn for projects to tackle climate change. The EIB's "climate action" aims to promote a low-carbon economy that can cope with climate change, while supporting innovation in all sectors and contributing to job creation. For additional information, please consult www.eib.org.

Belfius Banque & Assurances

Belfius Banque & Assurances is a well-established bank at local level, which operates in Belgium in three main areas: retail and commercial banking, financial services for the public sector (wholesale banking) and insurance.

With 150 years of experience in the public sector, Belfius has always been a preferred partner of public and social sector entities (hospitals, schools, universities, rest homes etc.) in Belgium. It provides its clients with a complete and integrated range of products and services including loans, treasury management, budget optimisation, financial IT solutions etc. Its corporate banking activities are mainly concentrated on businesses operating in Belgium, with a particular focus on medium-sized enterprises.

Belfius Banque & Assurances is wholly owned by the Belgian Government through Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement (SFPI).

For additional information, please consult www.belfius.com.

Press contacts:

Belfius Banque & Assurances

Ulrike Pommée, + 32 2 222 02 57, ulrike.pommee@belfius.be or press@belfius.be - Website: www.belfius.com