The CEB, the City and the State join forces to deliver schools for the future in Marseille

Marseille - The Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), Carlo Monticelli, and the Deputy Mayor of Marseille responsible for the Schools Plan and school buildings, Pierre-Marie Ganozzi, today signed a €200 million loan to the Société Publique des Ecoles Marseillaises (SPEM) to finance essential renovation, restructuring and construction work on public primary schools as part of the City of Marseille's Schools Plan.

In March 2021, the Mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, presented his plan to the President of the Republic to renovate the 470 schools in the City of Marseille, with the aim of giving Marseille's children back the schools they deserve. In order to finance this major €1.5 billion school renovation plan, the Mayor of Marseille has obtained exceptional support from the French government to the tune of €400 million and €650 million in loan guarantees, as part of the ‘Marseille en Grand’ plan.

The Schools Plan, supported by CEB funds, aims to improve learning and working conditions of the children of Marseille and all the educational teams. It includes the renovation of 188 schools. In addition, the refurbishments and new buildings will be energy-efficient and comply with accessibility standards.

The Schools Plan is a historic project: it is the largest public facilities renovation project in France since 1945. It is structured into 7 construction phases between 2021 and 2031, covering all 470 schools in the city.

Between September 2024 and spring 2025, 18 schools from wave 1 of the plan, including 8 school groups, will be inaugurated across the city. Waves 2 and 3, which will see the construction or complete renovation of 75 new schools, are already under way.

As part of this major renovation plan costing more than 1.5 billion euros, 200 million euros will be financed by the CEB loan to SPEM. The CEB loan is guaranteed by the State.

The Schools Plan will have a major impact on preparing Marseille's pupils for their studies at collège and lycée. It will also have a significant impact on social integration, particularly for schools located in areas undergoing urban regeneration. The planned measures will improve the attractiveness of the schools concerned and revitalise the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The Governor of the CEB, Carlo Monticelli, said: “Our partnership with SPEM marks a significant step towards improving school infrastructure in Marseille. The CEB is delighted to be able to support the City of Marseille in this essential project for the future of Marseille's schoolchildren, which is one of the keys to building a more inclusive society and fully corresponds to our social mandate.”

“The French government is delighted to be working with the Council of Europe Development Bank to secure the first loan for the Société Publique des Écoles Marseillaises to be guaranteed by the French government. As a reminder, a €650 million state guarantee has been granted to the SPEM as part of the Schools Plan.” Christophe Mirmand, Préfet de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Préfet des Bouches-du-Rhône.

Pierre-Marie Ganozzi, Deputy Mayor in charge of the school plan, buildings, construction, renovation and school heritage, said: ‘We are carrying out a renovation plan for Marseille's schools on an unprecedented scale, so that all the city's children can learn in dignified conditions. Eighteen schools will be inaugurated during the school year. We are making progress. And I'm proud to sign this commitment from the Council of Europe Development Bank today. It's a major commitment for Marseille, for the future of the city's children.”