On June 22, 2016, the Friends of EUSALP held a meeting on investments and growth in the Alpine Region. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the Juncker Plan and the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) investment platform, with a specific focus on Alpine regions, but of relevance to all European mountain areas. Presenters included Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament, Andrea Mairate, European Commission, DG Regio, Nikos Pantalos, European Commission, DG Grow, and Luciana Tomozei, European Investment Bank.
The Juncker Plan of the European Commission makes available €315 billion in investment over three years for European projects in order to encourage growth, innovation, and opportunity across Europe. The investment plan is made of three pillars: mobilizing finance, supporting investment in the real economy, and creating an investment friendly environment.
The European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) is critical to the pillar on mobilizing finances. EFSI was launched by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group. The EFSI will allow the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund projects that pose a higher financial risk than ordinary EIB activities. These include projects in:
- infrastructure, such as digital, transport, and energy;
- education, research, development, and innovation;
- renewable energy and resource efficiency; and
- small and medium size companies and mid-caps.
This includes considering projects proposed by corporations of all sizes, utilities and public sector entities, SMEs and mid-caps, national promotional banks, and dedicated investment platforms.
To provide an idea of how funds might be used, two projects that have already been funded are:
- Nord Pas de Calais: Troisième Revolution Industrielle – This project involved an investment fund for the Calais region dedicated to fostering energy efficiency and low carbon strategies within the SMEs.
- Ile de France: Energie Posit-if – providing financial and technical assistance through a public mixed entity to landlords in order to increase energy efficiency in 40.000 apartments across Paris and Ile de France.
For more information on how EFSI funds might be used, please visit the South Tyrol Region web page and click on the powerpoint slides available here.
28 June 2016
