BELFIUS SMART CITIES CLIMATE CIRCULAR ECONOMY II

The project comprises the third intermediated framework loan (FL) with Belfius to co-finance its Smart Cities Programme in Belgium including small and medium-sized schemes (with a cost below EUR 50 million) in urban development and renewal, urban infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, water, solid waste and information and communication technologies (ICT).

This operation will support sustainable urban development, smart city development, the circular economy and climate action.

The project comprises a multi-sector operation classified as a framework loan and some of the schemes may possibly fall under Annex I or II of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2014/52/EU amending 2011/92/EU). Should any scheme have a negative impact on an area forming part of the Natura 2000 network (falling under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC or Birds Directive 2009/147/EC), the Bank would require the promoter to act according to the provisions of the aforementioned Directives as transposed into national law. It is a requirement that all schemes must be implemented in compliance with EU environmental legislation. For new and refurbished buildings, the compliance with EU Directive 2010/31/EU on Energy Performance of Buildings will be further examined during the appraisal. For schemes triggering article 4.7 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the promoter has to provide evidence of the compliance with the WFD before the Bank funds are allocated.

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation: Directive 2014/23/EU / 2014/24/EU / 2014/25/EU, where applicable, as well as Directive 92/13/EEC or Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with the publication of tender notices in the Official Journal of the European Union, as and where required.