Press secretariat

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) have announced an agreement to strengthen their cooperation to promote public sector investment in key sectors of the Italian economy. Up to €1 billion in new funds will support sustainable regional growth and public sector investment in various sectors with a positive impact on environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and development in the south of the country.

The EIB Group outlined the progress of the European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) – the fund of funds promoted by the European Union and participating EU Member States to foster the growth of cutting-edge technology startups with high growth potential (scale-ups) – today in Madrid. This initiative is led by the European Investment Fund (EIF), the EIB Group's specialist provider of investment capital to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending CZK 7.61 billion Czech korunas (€300 million) to the Czech Republic’s national railway operator, České dráhy, to buy new train carriages and locomotives as well as upgrade existing ones. České dráhy will use the loan to purchase 180 passenger coaches and 20 electric locomotives. The company will also retrofit 219 existing coaches and locomotives with modern technology known as the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The improvements, due to be completed by the end of 2028, will benefit Czech cohesion regions and cross-border connections.