The EIF is part of the European Investment Bank group and partly owned by the European Commission. The rules for the Commission’s participation in the EIF are set out in a Council Decision. DG ECFIN assures the appropriate coordination between the EIF and other Commission services on specific questions arising in relation to Community policies and legislation. This requires regular contact with the EIF in order to assess the need for informal consultations within the Commission.

As set out in its Statutes, the EIF is managed by three authorities: the General Meeting, the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive.

EIF Board of Directors

The EIF’s Board of Directors (the Board) consists of seven Directors, two of whom are designated by the Commission and appointed by the EIF General Meeting. The board meets approximately once a month, in particular to:

• decide on EIF operations;
• adopt guidelines and directives for the operations and management of the EIF;
• draw up proposals for submission to the General Meeting;
• set criteria for the return on EIF operations; and
• ensure that the EIF is managed in accordance with its statutes and the guidelines adopted by the board.

DG ECFIN supports the EIF board members designated by the Commission in the preparation of board meetings.

EIF General Meeting

The EIF General Meeting meets at least once a year. The Commission's representative in the General Meeting is the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs or his or her delegate.

DG ECFIN prepares notifications to the Council on matters to be discussed at the EIF's General Meeting.