European Union Finance Ministers have endorsed the European Investment Bank Group’s strategy to increase investment and risk-taking in support of a stronger, more secure and more resilient Europe.
The strategy focuses on energy autonomy, technological leadership, security and defence, resilient infrastructure, support for Ukraine, and stronger global partnerships.
The endorsement came during the annual meeting of the EIB Board of Governors, which is made up of EU Finance Ministers. The ministers backed the EIB Group’s plan to use its full financial capacity to mobilise public and private investment across key European policy priorities.
The EIB Group is on track to maintain record financing of €100 billion this year and reach its target of dedicating 5% of total EU financing to security and defence by 2026.
EIB Group President Nadia Calviño said the Bank’s financing is helping deliver economic security for Europe by supporting energy autonomy, technological leadership, resilient infrastructure and trusted partnerships. She added that the endorsement from Member States sends a strong signal of unity and determination to make full use of the EIB’s role as Europe’s investment engine.
A mid-term report presented to ministers highlighted progress made under the EIB Group’s Strategic Roadmap over the past two years. The report outlined advances in mobilising investment across eight priority areas, including energy, innovation, infrastructure, defence and global partnerships.
In energy, the EIB Group has strengthened its role as Europe’s Climate Bank. It finances around half of Europe’s energy grid investment and supports major solar, onshore wind and offshore wind projects across the continent. Its Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative is also expected to exceed targets by supporting 350,000 businesses to decarbonise, reduce costs and build resilience.
The Group is also accelerating technological innovation through TechEU, the EU’s largest financing programme for deep tech, clean tech, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. In 2025, the EIB Group committed more than €22 billion to TechEU projects, helping Europe strengthen critical manufacturing, scale innovation and attract investment.
Security and defence have become a major priority for the EIB Group. Financing in this area quadrupled in 2025 to more than €4 billion, with a pipeline of around 25 flagship projects across 20 Member States. These projects cover critical infrastructure, military facilities, industrial capabilities, research and development, SME supply chains and dedicated private investment funds.
Outside the EU, Ukraine remains the EIB Group’s top priority. In 2025, the Bank committed record financing to Ukraine to support resilience, essential services and the functioning of the economy. The Group will also continue supporting EU candidate countries, neighbourhood partners and Global Gateway initiatives in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.
The Board of Governors also welcomed Danish Minister for Taxation and Economic Growth Jakob Engel-Schmidt as its new Chair for a one-year term. He said the EIB Group plays a central role in financing a competitive and resilient Europe, particularly in the clean transition, security and innovation.
Tereza Rogić Lugarić was also appointed as the new Chair of the EIB Audit Committee, succeeding Katja Pluto.
