Between 2017 and 2021, the EIB provided over €96 billion in urban lending in support of 1,218 projects (direct and intermediated) targeting priority objectives of the Bank, such as urban regeneration, sustainable urban mobility, green and climate-smart cities, social inclusion, and the circular economy. This represents 30 percent of total EIB lending over the past five years.

Within the European Union, the EIB uses its full range of instruments in the urban sector. The EIB also contributes to urban project preparation, knowledge creation, and innovation. Our project teams provide advisory services during project preparation, due diligence, and implementation.

The primary beneficiaries in the European Union were France (€15.6 billion), Italy (€12.2 billion), and Germany (€11.4 billion), absorbing 47 percent of all lending to urban projects. The other primary beneficiaries were Poland (€6 billion) and Spain (€5.9 billion), absorbing 15 percent of overall lending to these projects. In addition, countries with cumulative loans exceeding €3 billion over the 2017-2021 period were Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, and Belgium.

Since 2017, EIB signed over 60 direct and over 30 intermediated operations in Poland dedicated to urban infrastructure development, mainly to municipal transport infrastructure; urban renewal and planning; the environment; cultural, educational, recreational, and healthcare facilities; municipal housing; and public buildings.

(WBJ)