In 2023, we invested about €4.1 billion in the sector. Our impact for 2023 included:
- Improved sanitation for 1.9 million people
- Better access to safe drinking water for 4.9 million people
- Less risk of flooding for 1.5 million people
Projects eligible for financing
The EIB supports investment that:
- increases secure access to water resources
- protects against floods and other destructive water-related events
- ensures reliable provision of sustainable and affordable water and wastewater services promote resource efficiency (energy, chemicals, water)
We help our clients to maximise their resources: in the wastewater sector, we finance facilities with a focus on energy and materials recovery, for instance bio-gas that turns recycled bio-waste into renewable energy.
Such integrated approaches, for example by using treated wastewater for irrigation, show that we can sustainably manage limited global resources.
You can find in our EIB water sector lending orientation general information on how we assess water projects for financing. This lending guidance focuses on water security.
Mountain water boosts Italian business
Water is becoming scarce even in places where it used to be plentiful, like northern Italy. That’s a problem for businesses, because most companies would fail without a secure supply of water. In the Val di Susa, high above Turin, a hydroelectric dam is converted to a reservoir in a project that brings vital water to nearby towns and businesses. Hear from the engineers who helped finance it and who now operate it. And from the brewer who makes great beer with the water they pipe to him.
Browse our projects
Contact us
Do you need finance or technical assistance for your project?
We offer a wide range of financial products, as well as technical assistance through the European Investment Advisory Hub and the European PPP Expertise Centre (EPEC).
Do you have a question?
For enquiries regarding the financing facilities, activity, organisation and objectives of the EIB, contact the Information Desk
Contact us
Tel. +352 4379-22000
Frequently asked questions
Are you a journalist?
Contact our Press office
Tel. +352 4379-21000
press@eib.org
www.eib.org/press
Case studies
Real stories speak louder than general policies. Discover the impact of our projects.