The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is the cornerstone of the Investment Plan for Europe, and the best-known part of the "Juncker Plan". A joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, it aims to help overcome the current investment gap by supporting strategically important projects throughout the EU and mobilising private investment. At the end of 2017, and following a proposal by the Commission, the Parliament and Council agreed to extend its duration and the amount of funding in what is known as
"EFSI 2.0". In addition, this renewed EFSI brought other changes aiming, for instance, to increase transparency, to put a stronger focus on small-scale projects, or to provide more technical advice and support at local level.
What opportunities for local and regional authorities do the innovations brought by EFSI 2.0 create? How can this renewed EFSI help them overcome some of the challenges they face with their investment projects?
This lunchtime briefing will seek to answer these questions and more, thanks to speakers from the EIB, as well as through a close look at a case study: an EFSI-financed social housing project led by the City of Poznan, Poland.
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12:30 – Registration starts
13:00 –
Welcome by
Bert Kuby, Head of Unit, Commission for Economic Policy, European Committee of the Regions
13:05 –
Presentation of EFSI 2.0 by
Matthieu Bertrand, EFSI/CEF Mandate Officer, European Investment Bank (EIB)
13:25 – What the
European Investment Advisory Hub can do for cities and regions, by
Shelley Forrester, Senior Advisor, European Investment Advisory Hub
13:35 –
Case study: The Project "Poznan Social Housing Investment Facility". Presentations by:
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Anna Harasimowicz, Financial Director, ZKZL (Municipal housing company of Poznan)
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Vasco Amaral Cunha, Public Sector Operations in Poland and Baltic States, EIB
14:00 – Q&A with audience
14:30 –
End