- The first €50 million tranche was signed today under an overall €150 million EIB financing package for the Region of Puglia.
- EIB resources will help support an investment programme of around €2.34 billion in areas such as territorial development, natural resources, healthcare, education, transport, water, waste and energy.
- The investments will improve essential services, climate resilience, sustainable mobility and social infrastructure, directly benefiting citizens, businesses and the region as a whole.
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 million financing approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the Region of Puglia, of which a first €50 million tranche is being signed today. The operation will support the Region’s commitments under selected investments of the 2021-2027 Regional Programme financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government-Region of Puglia Cohesion Agreement financed with regional and national resources.
The first tranche signed today forms part of EIB financing designed to contribute to the implementation of 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.
“Through this operation, the EIB confirms its role as a long-term partner for Puglia and Italy’s cohesion regions,” said EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti. “This financing will help accelerate strategic investments to improve essential services, social infrastructure, sustainable mobility, natural resource management and climate resilience. Our objective is to help regions and local authorities turn European and regional priorities into tangible projects, delivering direct benefits for citizens, businesses and local communities. This is a clear example of the EIB’s role in supporting the balanced and inclusive development of Italian regions.”
“The relationship with Europe and its institutions is fundamental,” said President of the Region of Puglia Antonio Decaro. “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. Today, it is essential to follow through on the long programming phase in which Puglia has played a leading role, with the aim of intervening in sectors that will make our region stronger, more attractive and more competitive from an infrastructural, economic and social perspective. I would like to thank the EIB for this renewed injection of confidence in Puglia, in the knowledge that we will once again need to maximise our commitment to spending these funds effectively and implementing the planned projects.”
Expected results include the redevelopment or construction of water, social, healthcare, education and transport infrastructure, stronger 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. The programme is also expected to generate a temporary employment effect estimated at over 14 000 person-years during the implementation phase.
EIB support for cohesion and regional development in Italy
The signature of the first tranche of EIB financing will help accelerate the implementation of investments in line with the objectives of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy, in particular a greener, more connected, more social Europe that is closer to citizens. The operation confirms the EIB’s role as a long-term financing partner for Italian regions and its commitment to sustainable growth, social inclusion and climate resilience in cohesion regions.
Background information
The EIB Group
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by its 27 Member States, and one of the world’s leading multilateral development banks. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing to support more than 870 high-impact projects across eight strategic priorities that contribute to the EU’s policy goals: climate action and environmental sustainability, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships, and the savings and investments union. In Italy, the EIB Group signed 105 new financing agreements for a total of €12.3 billion in 2025. In addition to providing long-term loans for major infrastructure, the EIB Group catalyses private investment for innovative high-risk businesses and projects. It also plays an increasingly important role in Europe’s venture debt, venture capital, guarantee and securitisation markets. The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the EIB Group subsidiary specialising in guarantees and equity. Its specific mission is to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups across Europe. The EIF acts as an anchor investor, leveraging its extensive network of partner banks and investment funds to mobilise private investment and support a venture capital fund ecosystem for Europe’s innovative entrepreneurs.
Press contacts
Region of Puglia: Aurelia Vinella, a.vinella@regione.puglia.it
Mobile +39 320 5555234, Website: www.regione.puglia.it
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