InvestEU Regulation supports CIs through Strategic Investments
date: 01/10/2021
See also: Press Release
The InvestEU Programme builds on the successful model of the Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan. It will bring together, under one roof, the European Fund for Strategic Investments and 13 other EU financial instruments.
Triggering more than €372 billion in additional investment over the period 2021-27, the InvestEU Programme aims to give an additional boost to sustainable investment, innovation and job creation in Europe.
The InvestEU Programme supports the following 4 main policy areas (“windows”):
Sustainable infrastructure
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Transport, in particular clean and sustainable transport modes, multimodal transport, road safety, renewal and maintenance of rail and road infrastructure
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Energy, in particular renewable energy, energy efficiency and building renovation projects focused on energy savings and the integration of buildings into a connected energy source, storage, digital and transport system, improving energy infrastructure interconnection levels
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Digital connectivity and access including in rural areas
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Supply and processing of raw materials, space, oceans, water, including inland waterways, waste management in line with the waste hierarchy and the circular economy
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Nature and other environment infrastructure
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Cultural heritage, tourism
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Equipment, mobile assets and deployment of innovative technologies that contribute to the environmental climate resilience or social sustainability objectives of the EU, and meet the environmental or social sustainability standards of the EU
Research, innovation and digitisation
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Research, product development and innovation activities
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Transfer of technologies and research results to the market, supporting market enablers and cooperation between enterprises
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Demonstration and deployment of innovative solutions and support to scaling up of innovative companies as well as digitisation of EU industry
SMEs
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Access to and availability of finance primarily for SMEs, including innovative ones and those operating in the cultural and creative sectors, as well as for small mid-cap companies
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Possibility of capital support to SMEs that were not in difficulty in State aid terms already at the end of 2019, but since then face significant risks due to the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic
Social investment and skills
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Microfinance
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Social enterprise finance and social economy
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Measures to promote gender equality skills, education, training and related services
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Social infrastructure (including health and educational infrastructure and social and student housing)
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Social innovation, including social impact, impact investing and social outcome contracting
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Health and long-term care
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Inclusion and accessibility
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Cultural and creative activities with a social goal
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Integration of vulnerable people, including third country nationals
All 4 areas can contain strategic investments including Important Projects of Common European Interest to support final recipients whose activities are of strategic importance to the EU, in particular in view of the green and digital transitions, of enhanced resilience and of strengthening strategic value chains.