The Strategic Framework in action: Projects approved in 2023

In 2023, the Bank’s total volume of loan approvals of €4.1 billion across 48 new loan projects were in line with the annual target established for the five-year Strategic Framework implementation period. The Framework lays out three lines of action for the CEB’s operations, namely: 1) investing in people and enhancing human capital; 2) promoting inclusive and resilient living environments; and 3) supporting jobs, and economic and financial inclusion. Gender, climate change and digitalisation are cross-cutting considerations that span across all three lines of action. CEB projects are also closely aligned with the Council of Europe’s revised European Social Charter, in particular with the right to vocational training (Article 10), the right to health protection (Article 11), the right of children and young people to social, legal and economic protection (Article 17), the right to work (Article 1), the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection (Article 16), the right to housing (Article 31) and the right of older persons to social protection (Article 23).

This section showcases examples of these new operations; a comprehensive list is in the Snapshots section. These examples show that the CEB continues to address a wide range of challenges across the ten sectors, focusing primarily on the following six: health and social care, education and vocational training, social and affordable housing, urban, rural and regional development, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and microfinance.

A “vulnerability lens” has been introduced as a new tool for strengthening the CEB’s operational focus on vulnerable people at the early stages of each project cycle (see Vulnerability lens).

In the past year, the CEB also continued to diversify its client base, while reaching out to underserved communities and the people who benefit from social investments. It stepped up co-operation with local authorities, cities and social economy entities, including smaller, specialised microfinance institutions (MFIs), while offering tailor-made solutions to its clients. Furthermore, the CEB is deepening its collaboration with partner institutions in the development finance landscape, including with peer MDBs, national development banks and the EU (see Partnerships).

©CEB 2024