ROMANIA HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME LOAN

The programme loan includes the construction, extension, renovation and rehabilitation of a selected number of university premises in Romania during the period 2021-2025.

The main objective is to provide better learning conditions for students, as well as improved working and research conditions for university staff, by creating additional capacity in academic and research buildings and by renovating existing spaces that are no longer fit for purpose. These investments are also aimed at adapting infrastructures to new technologies, improving the learning environments and improving accessibility for people with disabilities, and also improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

The Directive 2011/92/EU amended by 2014/52/EU does not specifically mention the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for buildings relating to education, but it may be that some sub-projects can be regarded as urban renewal projects (Annex II of the European Directive). This will be studied in detail during the appraisal. The possible impact on natural sites will be checked during the appraisal.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Directive 2014/24/EU as well as Directive 89/665/EEC) as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with the publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.