EIB grants 150 million euro to Puglia to boost cohesion and sustainability

Brussels – Strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion, accelerating the green transition and improving the quality of services for citizens and businesses. These are the main objectives of the 150 milioni di euro funding approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the Puglia Region. Today (3 August), an agreement will be signed for the disbursement of a first tranche worth 50 million euros, aiming supporting the region in relation to the investments selected by the 2021-2027 Regional Programme – the financial and operational strategy through which the Puglia Region plans the sustainable development of the territory, funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – and by the Government-Region of Puglia Cohesion Agreement financed by regional and national resources. 

Today’s tranche forms part of an EIB loan aimed at implementing an investment programme worth around €2.34 billion across the region. The investments will cover, among other areas, integrated territorial development, natural resource management and protection, healthcare and education, transport, the water sector, wastewater, waste and energy. The expected outcomes include, in particular, the upgrading or construction of water, social, healthcare, educational, and transport infrastructure; greater protection against droughts and floods; improved healthcare services for around 2 million beneficiaries, and investments benefiting the entire regional population of around 4 million people. It is also estimated that, during its implementation phase, the programme will generate employment for around 14,000 person-years. 

The EIB’s Vice-President, Gelsomina Vigliotti, stated that the financing aims to “help regions and local authorities turn European and regional priorities into tangible projects, delivering direct benefits for citizens, businesses and local communities,” and that today’s initiative “is a clear example of the EIB’s role in supporting the balanced and inclusive development of Italian regions.” Similarly, the President of the Puglia Region, Antonio Decaro, reiterated: “The availability of these resources will enable us to launch strategic investments and continue the period of dynamism and support for the economy that we have already experienced through the use of structural and national funds.”