TECHEU - UNIVERSITY OF SILESIA

The project concerns the extension of the campus of the University of Silesia in the city centre of Katowice. The project comprises the construction of academic and research buildings, as well as the greening of the campus located along the adjacent river.

The project concerns the extension of SU's campus in the city centre of Katowice. The operations cover the construction of academic and research buildings and the optimisation of use as well as development of the University's plot.

The Project is in line with the InvestEU objective of social investments, including those supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular through education investments.

The EIB technical contribution is good. EIB technical expertise and/or advisory services were not sought by the Promoter, but annual Project Progress Reports (PPRs) will be requested to ensure close Project monitoring.

The EIB will support investments made by the University of Silesia in order to facilitate teaching and research activities in their premises located in Katowice and Cieszyn. The EIB's financial support will offer the University access to long term flexible financing tailored to their investment needs (long tenor matching the economic life of assets financed, flexible drawdowns conditions, grace and availability periods). The excellent crowding effect is expected under this operation with EIB financing being crucial for the financing structure.

Council Directive 2011/92/EU amended by Directive 2014/52/EU on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) does not specifically cover educational activities, leaving it at the discretion of the responsible competent authorities to request an EIA on the basis of the location and scale of the works concerned. However, universities may fall under Annex II of EIA Directive 2014/52/EU with respect to urban development. Social and environmental aspects as well as any issues related to historical and cultural heritage will be verified during the appraisal. The project will include new buildings, which will comply with the 2010/31/EU directive on energy efficiency of buildings.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project 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 publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required. The procurements conducted by the Promoter to this point were already in line with the above regulations.