Projects in focus

CEB’s 15 years of partnership with the Western Balkans Investment Framework

Launched 15 years ago with the CEB as a founding-member, WBIF provides financing and technical assistance to strategic projects in the energy, environment, social, transport, and digital infrastructure sectors, in alignment with the region's shared strategic objective of integration with the European Union.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia Refugees and migrants, Health and social care

Turning the tide: A social enterprise tackles long-term unemployment in Dublin

Speedpak combines commercial ventures with targeted training to break the cycle of long-term unemployment in parts of Dublin.

Ireland MSME financing

Pathway to integration and entrepreneurship for migrants

Salih’s remarkable journey from a political refugee facing adversity to an aspiring entrepreneur in the Netherlands highlights the resilience of migrants and the transformative impact of support programs such as Qredits Entrepreneurial Training, financed by the European Union and the CEB.

Netherlands Refugees and migrants, Microfinance

Improving Andalusia's social care: a collaborative effort

Spain's social care system faces challenges due to an aging population and rising inequality, with Andalusia particularly impacted. To support this autonomous region's growing need for elderly and disability care, the CEB has provided significant financial support.

Spain Health and social care

Spurring social inclusion through sport: Celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

As the city of Paris welcomes athletes from around the world for the 2024 Olympic Games, we highlight the CEB’s work in fostering social inclusion through investments in sports across three of our member countries: Lithuania, North Macedonia and Italy.

North Macedonia, Lithuania, Italy

Ukraine: Responding to urgent housing needs

The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, taking a severe human, social, and economic toll. Housing continues to be one of the most impacted sectors.

Ukraine Social and affordable housing

Video: Investing in disaster risk management

Natural disasters are increasing, affecting millions of people. CEB is currently investing over €2 billion to finance disaster risk management projects - saving lives, restoring infrastructure, strengthening the resilience.

Türkiye Natural or ecological disasters

Innovating to save lives: the value of entrepreneurship

To mark Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2024, we spotlight the story of DOK-ING, a globally recognised Croatian company whose innovative robotic systems is used in emergency response and post-conflict recovery.

Croatia MSME financing

Video: Celebrating the Council of Europe’s 75th anniversary

Video: IWD2024

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, colleagues across the CEB shared how they feel included in the workplace and how they help forge a more inclusive environment for women.

Empowering women entrepreneurs through microfinance: The inspiring journey of Martina Grigorova

Martina Grigorova, Chief Executive Officer of SIS Credit, is at the forefront of empowering women entrepreneurs in Bulgaria through innovative microfinance solutions. As the country grapples with economic challenges and a burgeoning need for social entrepreneurship, SIS Credit’s upcoming partnership with the CEB will help the microfinance sector grow.

Bulgaria Microfinance

Her own house: the building blocks for women’s entrepreneurship

We celebrate IWD2024 by highlighting how the CEB has laid the foundation of women’s economic empowerment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia by providing them with stable housing through the Regional Housing Programme (RHP).

Montenegro Refugees and migrants, Social and affordable housing

Constructing education: How the Finns do it

How Finland is modernising education with innovative schools

Finland Education and vocational training

VIDEO: Helping Lithuania welcome refugees from Ukraine

With two grants from Migrant and Refugee Fund the CEB helped improve living conditions for Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania, particularly children and persons with disabilities.

Lithuania Refugees and migrants

Milan: The school that thinks differently

Milan primary school illustrates how innovative EIB-CEB financing can spark change in education and improve learning.

Italy Education and vocational training

VIDEO: Violence against women

Through its social enterprise ‘Bagel Bejgl,’ NGO Atina from Belgrade, Serbia - winner of the CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2023 - provides employment and economic independence to women victims of gender-based violence and trafficking.

Serbia

CEB partners with REDI to promote Roma entrepreneurship and inclusion

We support the inclusion of the Roma community, Europe’s largest ethnic minority group, through a range of initiatives. These efforts aim to empower Roma individuals by promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing employment opportunities and fostering social integration.

Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia Microfinance

In transit: Supporting migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Learn more about the cooperation between European Investment Bank, IOM and the CEB to improve living conditions of migrants and refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Refugees and migrants

Financing water resilience to face climate challenges

On the occasion of the World Water Week 2023 we take the opportunity to delve into some of our projects that exemplify our dedication to creating a more water-wise future.

Cyprus, Lithuania Protection of the environment

A sense of community: supporting the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic

With a grant amount of close to €400 000 through the Migrant and Refugee Fund, the CEB has been supporting the Refugee Facilities Administration of the Ministry of Interior in welcoming and integrating refugees from Ukraine since 2022.

Czech Republic Refugees and migrants