Europe Day commemorates the signing of the “Schuman Declaration” on 9 May 1950. An ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union. The importance of working for peace in Europe is all the more evident, as we highlight our unity and solidarity with Ukraine.
European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer said that, subject to approval from its governing bodies, the EIB is willing to immediately increase its contribution to the REPowerEU Plan from the current €30 billion package to €45 billion euros in additional financing.
Europe imports more than half of its energy. The war in Ukraine has shown that this must change, and we should reduce our dependency on Russian gas and oil as soon as possible. To achieve this common goal, we should drastically accelerate our clean energy transition and increase Europe's energy independence from unreliable suppliers and volatile fossil fuels. In 2022, the European Investment Bank invested €17 billion in clean energy projects in the EU and supported the European Commission's REPowerEU plan with an additional €30 billion in financing by 2027. Towards a more energy-independent Europe!
Buckle up and discover a normal day in Europe through different projects financed by the European Investment Bank.
Will you recognise some of them?
The journey begins now!
Watch the videoThe EIB strongly condemns the military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops.
We stand by the Ukrainian authorities and the people of Ukraine.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) will enhance collaboration in preventing, detecting and addressing potential cases of fraudulent or other irregular practices that affect EIB-financed projects. The EIB and ESBU have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen exchanges of information, operational support for investigations and technical cooperation.
Lyceum No. 11 in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was extensively reconstructed under the European Investment Bank (EIB)’s Ukraine Early Recovery Programme and reopened its doors today. The school’s building has been expanded, with additional classrooms, restroom facilities, new playgrounds and green relaxation zones.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Ukraine have agreed on a strategic cooperation framework supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction, recovery, and EU integration efforts. This reinforced partnership places future investments within critical public and private sector initiatives that will be supported by funds from the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Fund and the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility, in which the EIB plays a key implementing role.
Today, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv marked the completion of a project to enhance urban mobility involving the purchase of ten low-floor trams. The trams and related equipment and services were financed by a €17.4 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), an opportunity made possible by Lviv’s participation in the broader Ukraine Urban Public Transport project.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Republic of Estonia have signed a contribution agreement under which Estonia is providing €10 million to the EU for Ukraine Fund. Launched by the EIB in 2023, this fund is a part of a larger EU for Ukraine (EU4U) initiative to address urgent needs and sustain economic stability in Ukraine.
Krakow is becoming a green city with the support of the European Investment Bank. The second largest city in Poland has embarked on a journey to develop a sustainable, integrated, resilient and inclusive urban environment. The EIB financing is helping Krakow achieve climate neutrality and provide, at the same time, improved social infrastructure for a city committed to help Ukrainian refugees.
The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) today approved €5.5 billion of new financing to spur business investment, harness clean energy, upgrade schools, expand sustainable transport and fight forest fires.
Today, EIB President Nadia Calviño welcomed Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to the EIB headquarters. The meeting facilitated discussions on the progress of ongoing projects and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine’s main supplier of renewable energy which has suffered as a result of the war, including due to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and NRW.BANK have agreed to help the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia house refugees. The EIB will provide NRW.BANK with a €200 million framework loan to finance the construction, refurbishment and extension of residential buildings for temporarily or permanently housing refugees across North Rhine-Westphalia
We have worked in Bulgaria since 1992, financing projects that reduce regional disparities and strengthen economic competitiveness. We helped Sofia to develop an environmentally sustainable transport system that improves the everyday life of its people. We supported Bulgarian businesses suffering from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bulgaria is one of the largest beneficiaries of the EIB's advisory services. Our advisory support has helped projects across Bulgaria in sectors such as transport, water and the environment.
We have worked in Italy since 1959, financing key infrastructure, such as high-speed trains, renewable energy networks, health, research, education and urban renewal projects. We improved health services during the COVID-19 pandemic for over 3 million patients, supplied 3.7 million households with electricity and made funds available to thousands of small businesses, which are the backbone of the economy. We recently signed a contract with Terna for the east section of its Tyrrhenian link to connect Sicily, Sardinia and mainland Italy via a a 970-kilometre-long underwater cable. The project will contribute to the development of renewable energy sources, power grid reliability and energy security. Find out more about our activity in Italy.
We have worked in Germany since 1960, financing infrastructure projects, innovation and energy efficient affordable housing. We financed major infrastructure projects, such as the electrification of the North-South rail link. We also helped clean up the Emscher River, formerly known as the "Sewer of the Ruhr area", which has been completely wastewater-free since 2021. Our financing helped BioNTech to develop its highly effective COVID-19 vaccine at the beginning of the pandemic. We also supported energy efficient affordable housing and made public transport carbon-free. Find out more about our activity in Germany.
We have worked in Belgium since 1962, financing education and key infrastructure, such as the national railway, Antwerp's port, clean water, renewable energy and digital connectivity. We supported the installation of dozens of wind turbines off the country's coast, providing electricity to over one million households. We financed a state-of-the-art health campus in Leuven, a major initiative in line with European policies for health, education and innovation. We also supported Belgian entrepreneurs and innovators in the medtech and biotech fields. In times of crisis, we stepped up our efforts to provide relief funds to the Walloon region for flood resilience projects and social housing. Find out more about our activities in Belgium.
We have worked in Portugal since 1976, upgrading key infrastructure and improving access to finance for small businesses. We supported urban rehabilitation projects in the city of Lisbon, helping to transform it into a better place for families and businesses. We also invested in The Navigator Company to improve production at the Figueira da Foz pulp plant.
We have worked in Denmark since 1973, financing key transport and digital infrastructure, renewable energy and innovation.
Beside the Øresund Bridge, we played a key role in supporting innovative technologies and the country's green transition. We financed electric locomotives for the Danish State Railways, Vestas Wind Systems's wind power technology and Fredericia - Everfuels green hydrogen production and storage.
We have worked in Sweden since 1994, providing financing and technical assistance for the circular economy, urban infrastructure and services. Our lending has supported affordable, climate-friendly housing.
Swedish innovation is crucial to building a European battery supply chain. To this end, we provided manufacturer Northvolt with support for its new gigafactory in Skellefteå. We also backed a ground-breaking in-land salmon farm to help create a greener, more sustainable food system.
We have worked in Spain since 1981, financing in key infrastructure, education, research and innovation projects. During the pandemic, we supported the pharmaceutical sector by helping HIPRA and Galenicum develop new medicines. We also made it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to access financing and provided funds to areas with higher healthcare costs. As the EU climate bank, we invested in clean technologies, including Solarias new photovoltaic plants and Talgos low-carbon trains.
In this series, watch our experts provide their insights and shed light on the state of Europe and the world.
For our third episode of What's the Matter? series, we travelled to Ukraine and neighbouring Poland to learn from Ukrainian refugees about the situation one year after the start of the Russian invasion. Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, also joined us for an interview to discuss the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which she founded a year ago to channel more global aid to local issues such as healthcare, housing, humanitarian aid, childcare and education.
Did you know that 84% of Europeans say that if we don't drastically reduce energy consumption, we are heading for a global catastrophe? In this episode of What's the matter, we detail the findings of our latest Climate Survey and also check the state of the environment in Europe and around the world.
Did you know that one out of four European companies did not invest in digital transformation last year? When talking about digitalisation, what is the position of Europe in the world? Who is leading? What are the challenges? Is there any link between investing in innovative digital technologies and fighting climate change? Watch the first episode of our new video series to find the answers. Together with EIB experts, we examine the state of digitalisation. From Luxembourg, the heart of Europe, to the whole world: this is What’s the Matter.
Find out more about Digitalisation in Europe 2021-2022.