Schleswig-Holstein provides municipalities with support for infrastructure projects

Its state investment bank will partner with the European Investment Bank

In the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, the Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH) will become a network partner of the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH). On 27 May 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and IB.SH signed an agreement to provide municipalities with free consultancy services in support of infrastructure projects. The municipalities will receive €500,000 in funds for this purpose from the EIAH's Call for Proposals to National Promotional Banks and Institutions.

IB.SH will provide advisory services to municipalities to help them plan and develop sustainable and financially viable projects, as well as give them support in obtaining financing. Additionally, the support will include information exchange and capacity building for municipal governments.

To support municipalities in infrastructure, energy, and climate protection

“With these advisory services, we want to support municipalities in the areas of public infrastructure, energy and climate protection, as well as integrated urban and rural development. Thanks to the experts of the Infrastructure Competence Centre, Neighbourhood Development Unit and Energy Agency of IB.SH, we will be able to provide municipalities with competent support for their projects,” shared Erik Westermann-Lammers, IB.SH chief executive officer.

Paolo Gentiloni, the European Commissioner for Economy, expressed his delight at the agreement, adding that it will aid in the implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects on a local level. It is an example of how specialised advising support, such as in the areas of climate protection and urban and rural development, may make a genuine difference to benefit citizens.

The European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) is a collaboration between the European Investment Bank and the European Commission as part of the European Commission's Investment Plan for Europe. IB.SH is the promotional bank of the Land (state) Schleswig-Holstein. With financial instruments and know-how, the bank assists the ideas and projects of individuals, businesses, and governments in this northern German state.