- EIB investment to strengthen network of public schools in Spain’s Autonomous Community of Catalonia, covering pre-school to upper secondary education.
- Existing schools to be renovated and expanded, new schools to be built in line with environmental sustainability standards.
- An estimated 8,000 pupils and teachers to benefit from the improved facilities.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €100 million loan with the Government of Catalonia in Spain for the renovation and expansion of existing public education facilities and the construction of new schools.
The investment will have an impact on all levels of Catalan public education below university, covering infrastructure for pre-school to upper secondary education. Both schools and school facilities such as sports halls and canteens will be financed. An estimated 8,000 pupils and teachers will benefit from the new and improved facilities.
Environmental criteria will be applied to the construction, renovation and expansion works to improve the energy efficiency of schools in Catalonia.
“Investing in the modernisation and construction of state schools is investing in the development and future of our young people and society,” said Gilles Badot, director of EIB operations for Spain and Portugal. “This new loan reinforces the EIB’s commitment to sustainable public infrastructure that will help to unlock the full potential of the European Union’s human capital.”
The construction of the new educational facilities involves the school community in the design of new learning spaces. This innovative approach aims to enhance the impact of school infrastructure on learning results. The gender perspective will also be considered with recommendations on the design of buildings to ensure equitable use of spaces.
The project will also replace the temporary facilities that were initially built to cope with significant population growth in certain areas of Catalonia, contributing to cohesion in the region.
Background information
EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that further EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.
The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), reported total financing signatures in Spain of €11.4 billion in 2023, approximately €6.8 billion of which went to climate action and environmental sustainability projects. Worldwide, the EIB Group signed €88 billion in new financing in 2023.