The European Commission is set to launch the EastInvest Facility, a new initiative aimed at providing easier access to financing and advisory support for EU Member States bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The facility forms a central part of the EU’s strategy for its eastern regions, adopted to help these territories address the economic and social challenges arising from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. EastInvest will serve as a dedicated platform to support private and public projects, enhancing trade, economic growth, and security in the affected regions.
The facility brings together major financial institutions including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Nordic Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and national promotional banks from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Together, these institutions estimate that the facility will mobilize at least €28 billion in public and private investments for the eastern border regions. By coordinating lending and advisory support, EastInvest will ensure synergies between different financial actors and address investment needs identified in regional development strategies.
The launch will take place in Brussels at a high-level event hosted by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and opened by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The event will see the signing of the Facility’s declaration of intent by the EIB and other participating banks and will include high-level representatives from the nine concerned Member States. Attendees include the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania, along with the EIB President Nadia Calviño, who highlighted the facility’s role in strengthening the Eastern border’s security, resilience, and economic vitality.
Eastern EU regions have been heavily affected by disruptions caused by the war, including trade barriers, population decline, and sanctions impacts. In response, the EU has provided political, technical, and financial support to enhance infrastructure, employment, economic resilience, and defence capabilities. The EastInvest Facility complements other initiatives such as Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Defence while promoting economic growth through strategic partnerships, local asset utilization, and connectivity improvements in digital, transport, and energy sectors. By combining targeted investment with regional development strategies, the EU aims to strengthen social cohesion, security, and competitiveness in these vulnerable eastern border territories.
