About: EFSI
Simplification still the main challenge for EU cohesion policy control
The European Commission will soon present its legislative proposal for the future EU cohesion policy, in the context of negotiations for a new long-term budget. But in order to define new financing instruments, it is important to understand if the existing ones worked or not.
‘Juncker plan’ mobilises €284 billion in investment
The EU’s investment fund set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis has mobilised €284 billion to date, mostly in private capital, surpassing the halfway point of its 2020 target.
Tackle the discrepancies of enlargement to build a genuine social model
To put vigour back into its social model, the discrepancies and contradictions which are the byproducts of the enlargement and deepening of the Union during the last twenty years need to be addressed, writes Alfred Sant.
Commission hails Greek-Bulgarian railway project as ‘positive development’
The European Commission is satisfied with the recent cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria on a regional railway project and is ready to look into possible financial support, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV. Earlier this month (6 September) Greece and Bulgaria...
Brexit will harm EU cohesion policy, regions warn
EU cohesion policy will “suffer heavily” during Brexit given the anticipated halting of payments for certain projects until 2020, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) warned. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Greek SME lending platform delays worry Katainen
European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investments and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen expressed concern about delays in setting up a Greek platform to provide funding for SMEs. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Romania praised again in EU justice monitoring report but weaknesses remain
The European Commission has released its latest report on Romania's progress under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, which puts its judicial system under close surveillance for potential corruption and organised crime. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Greek regional governor: Local economies need leverage to ‘breathe’
A new development fund launched in northern Greece aims to boost SMEs’ role in the local economy and simultaneously ensure transparency in financial management, the governor of the Western Macedonia region told EURACTIV Greece.
Katainen warns against ‘insane’ push for energy efficiency
Jobs and Growth Commissioner Jyrki Katainen has insisted that the low-carbon transition and energy savings are needed if Europe’s economy is to be modernised. But he warned against pushing for “insane” efficiency targets and putting too much pressure on industry.
Member states support extension of Juncker Plan with EU funds
EU finance ministers on Tuesday (6 December) backed the European Commission’s proposal to expand the investment plan to mobilise at least €500 billion by 2020.
Slovak minister: ‘A European unemployment scheme is important’
State Secretary of Finance Ivan Lesay does not include Slovakia among the “hawkish” member states opposed to a fiscal stimulus for the eurozone. In an interview with EURACTIV, he also backed calls for a European unemployment insurance scheme.
Regions leader: More flexibility for the new ‘cohesion policy’
Regional structural funds absorption procedures should be simplified, Dr. Michael Schneider said in an interview with EURACTIV Greece, adding that financing through the European Strategic Investment Fund should also include a geographical factor.
Dijsselbloem tells Commission to focus on budget discipline
Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem on Tuesday (29 November) joined critics of the European Commission’s recent call for fiscal stimulus at eurozone level.
Commission official: ‘Bioeconomy is a unique opportunity to address societal challenges’
More and more member states are adopting bioeconomy plans and the EU is actively encouraging its Central and Eastern European partners to develop their own strategies. EURACTIV Slovakia talked to the Commission’s John Bell about the issue.
Spain the big winner in EFSI funding
Spain has so far benefited the most from the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). Its SMEs and infrastructure projects have been injected with over €3 billion to date. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Hudák: The EFSI is ‘driven by demand’
On Thursday (17 November), the European Investment Bank signed a contract with the Kuyavia-Pomerania Voivodeship to help finance the modernisation of a hospital in northern Poland under the EFSI. The EIB’s Vazil Hudák spoke to EURACTIV Poland about the deal.
Romanian PM praises work of ‘zero government’
Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloş has marked the completion of his first year in office by labelling his technocratic cabinet a “zero government”: “zero corruption, zero populism and zero lies”, in a barb aimed directly at his critics. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Beneficiaries question Juncker Plan’s added value, report shows
The added value of the investment plan for Europe was questioned once again on Monday (14 November) as an independent report warned that “concerns” remain about its additionality and “possible crowding out” of existing investment.
EFSI boss: The next EU budget will be different
The concept of the EFSI – to use taxpayer’s money from the EU budget in combination with financial instruments to achieve leverage with a higher economic impact – is now waterproof, Wilhelm Molterer, managing director of EFSI, told EURACTIV Slovakia in an exclusive interview.
Making Europe more agile in space
The European space sector is increasingly challenged by international competition in commercial markets. The Space Strategy for Europe proposes four goals for the EU to remain an industry leader, writes Jean-Loic Galle.
Berlin reluctant to top up Juncker’s piggy bank
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wants the amount of funding made available by the EU’s investment plan, aka the Juncker Plan, to be doubled. But he faces strong opposition from Germany. EURACTIV’s partner Der Taggespiegel reports.
‘Juncker Plan’ becomes friendlier to poorer EU members
The European Commission plans to improve the geographical reach of its flagship investment scheme popularly known as “the Juncker plan”, after the first year of its operation showed that mainly the richest 15 countries of the 28-nation bloc benefited from it.
NGOs criticise the Juncker Plan’s green credentials
15% of Juncker Plan funding supports fossil fuel projects, according to a report by group of NGOs, which raises serious questions about the investment plan’s consistency with the EU's climate objectives. EURACTIV France reports.