The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) has been jointly launched by the EIB Group and the European Commission in order to support the implementation of investment projects in the fields of environmental and resource efficiency, energy, transport, social infrastructure, digitalization, small and medium‐sized enterprises and research, development and innovation.
The study was commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions to facilitate cities and regions in making use of these funds. For this purpose, ÖIR elaborated two case studies: The “InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility” facilitates the granting of loans to fast‐growing and innovative small and mediumsized enterprises in Germany. The “Urban Renewal Housing Climate Loan Framework” in Lisbon allows co‐financing of urban infrastructure in selected areas of the city in order to improve the quality of public spaces, renovate schools and cultural equipment and complete the regeneration of the river front. The case studies were conducted through desk research and a series of interviews with key stakeholders.
