Open learning: resources for learners and researchers

Explore our online courses, podcasts, publications and data and access the EU bank's expertise in just one click.

E-Learning

Financial Development & Financial Inclusion

Environment courses

Climate change for the classroom Investing in Nature EIB environmental & social standards The 360° quest for climate solutions

Climate change for the classroom

It is challenging for teachers to digest climate change in order to be able to explain it clearly to children. It is also challenging to ensure we create hope rather than anxiety in the classroom.

The European Investment Bank is at the forefront of the global effort to fight climate change, but everyone has a role to play, from international institutions, to governments, companies and individuals. The first step is awareness, which begins at the youngest age. This is why the EIB, the EU climate bank, has produced educational content intended for primary school students and their teachers, explaining simply and clearly what climate change is, what causes it and how it can be mitigated.

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Investing in Nature

Learn how to identify and overcome the challenges in investing in nature. This step-by-step guide will also show you how to put together investment propositions for natural capital and biodiversity-related projects.

This toolkit will help you identify the cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunities that nature could unleash for you, outlining practical ways for you to access finance to incorporate these solutions into your operations.

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EIB environmental and social standards

How can you integrate environmental and social dimensions in your projects to ensure they are sustainable?

This course explains the environmental and social (E&S) standards that apply to all of the EIB’s investment projects. Its focus is to help our financial intermediaries acquire the ability to manage E&S risks.

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The 360° quest for climate solutions

2023 Digital Communications Awards: Silver award in the category "Storytelling"

The EIB 360° Quest for Climate Solutions is an interactive, free platform on the EIB website where viewers can embark on virtual journeys to visit ground-breaking projects that are making a difference in the fight against climate change in Europe. Filmed with state-of-the-art 360° cameras in some of Europe’s most stunning scenery, these short videos are presented by the EIB’s reporter, who interviews top scientists, engineers, and experts on site. Find out more

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Financial inclusion courses

Academy Sustainable entrepreneurship Financial Development

EIB’s Inclusive finance academy

Join us for our first series of the EIB’s Inclusive finance academy that focuses on how to support more vulnerable groups. Drawing on lessons learnt from the EIB’s TAFIR programme in the Middle East and North Africa, we have partnered with experts from the Frankfurt Business School of Finance and Management to explore how local microfinance institutions can better serve vulnerable communities across the globe.

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Sustainable entrepreneurship from A to Z

Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) represent about 90% of businesses worldwide, according to the World Bank. Yet they are also the most vulnerable to a rapidly changing world. To make them more resilient, sustainability needs to become an integral part of how they work.

This training series equips you with all the essential skills and tools to make your company more sustainable and boost your business.

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Financial Development and Financial Inclusion

Why do financial sector development and financial inclusion matter for inclusive and resilient growth?

During this course, you will learn about the main challenges that private sector enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), face accessing finance and how these challenges can be overcome by making financial products and services more attuned to the needs of the SMEs. The course will provide standard risk management methodologies for SME lending and review the use of technology in the financial sector.

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Regional & urban development courses

6 ways we help regions and cities across the EU EIB support for urban and regional development

6 ways we help regions and cities across the EU

From social housing to education and from small businesses to post-disaster recovery, we support regions and cities to stimulate the economy and improve their citizens’ quality of life.

Find out more about what type of support we provide and who can benefit.

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EIB support for urban and regional development

How can EU cities and regions make use of our funding and advisory services for their development projects? What role can the European Fund for Strategic Investments play to help municipalities and regional governments boost their investment?

This course will give you practical information and case studies on the Investment Plan for Europe and sustainable urban agenda projects, among others.

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Featured podcasts

27 August 2018

Show us the love money

Why do some companies decide not to sell shares on public exchanges? And who buys these private equities? A Dictionary of Finance finds out

Podcast
20 August 2018

Can you drive a special purpose vehicle?

From hospitals to schools and toll roads, project finance can be an important way to handle risk. Here’s how project finance works

Podcast
13 August 2018

CSI for bankers

How do banks track possible fraud? Take a look inside bank fraud investigations

Fraud Institutional Podcast
6 August 2018

What’s your distance to default?

You don’t need a Ph.D to run bank risk models. But it helps. So A Dictionary of Finance asked two scientists to explain, giving you the benefit of their doctorates

Banking Podcast Economics
30 July 2018

Macroeconomics makes economics simple

Find out how macroeconomics works with a quick overview of Adam Smith and the invisible hand, the Keynesian approach and the Chicago school

Economy
10 July 2018

Warm, fuzzy bankers

A Dictionary of Finance podcast shares a big hug as we examine social finance, which aims to confront societal issues.

Microfinance
2 July 2018

Bullets, ratchets and balloons

‘A Dictionary of Finance’ podcast goes back to basics, explaining terms you will most likely come across in the fine print of your loan contract.

Loans Podcast
25 June 2018

Save the world by recycling old economic textbooks

‘A Dictionary of Finance’ podcast examines the circular economy, where businesses stop throwing things away, save the environment and make money

Environment Circular economy Climate and environment
18 June 2018

How fast can this bank go?

This week on ‘A Dictionary of Finance’, find out about banking regulation, best banking practice, and how these help you choose the bank that’s right for you.

Podcast
11 June 2018

Three lines of defence

On this episode of ‘A Dictionary of Finance’ podcast, we learn about compliance, why it’s necessary, and how it’s achieved in financial institutions.

Podcast
4 June 2018

The priceless vanilla derivative

‘A Dictionary of Finance’ podcast helps understand how financial derivatives work, from hedging and interest-rate swaps to collateralized debt obligations.

Podcast
27 May 2018

Credit risk and the 80% haircut

‘A Dictionary of Finance’ podcast explains credit risk, how banks manage it, and what’s an 80% haircut.

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Publications

23 March 2026

At a glance 2026

Every year, the EIB Group finances hundreds of new projects that help the economy and improve lives.

29 January 2026

The EIB Group Operational Plan 2026-2028

Under this Group Operational Plan, the EIB Group will pursue an ambitious financing programme, targeting a Group signature volume of €100 billion in 2026. The programme addresses the defining challenges of our time through targeted and transformative investments that correspond to the eight interlinked policy priorities under the Strategic Roadmap.

8 October 2019

Three foundations: A competitive, sustainable, inclusive Europe

An analysis of key challenges facing Europe and the need for collaboration and investment to build a society that is productive, sustainable and inclusive, by design.

Do you want to find out more about our data on the investments, surveys, projects and equity funds?

Browse our Data portal

Editor’s choice

EIB Investment Report 2024/2025

The European Union must solidify its position as a global leader in technology, innovation and clean energy. By addressing key challenges and leveraging existing strengths, Europe can enhance its competitiveness, foster economic growth and show the world how to successfully transition to green energy.

By fostering collaboration, targeting investments and maintaining a consistent regulatory framework, Europe can capitalise on its strengths to drive sustainable growth and technological leadership in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Find out more