Strengthening Europe’s social fabric

For the CEB, 2025 proved to be another defining year, characterised by steadfast delivery on its commitment to strengthening social cohesion in Europe, while demonstrating leadership on the global stage by chairing the Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) Group for the first time.

WINGS-Ukraine wins CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2026

Women-led initiative recognised for helping women facing violence, poverty and health risks during the war in Ukraine; projects from North Macedonia and Romania named runners-up.

CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2026: eight projects shortlisted

The CEB has shortlisted eight projects for the CEB Award for Social Cohesion 2026, highlighting inspiring initiatives that strengthen communities and support vulnerable people across Europe.

Delivering Social Impact in a Fragmented World, by Carlo Monticelli, Governor

Europe’s social-development bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year. The Bank’s work of improving social infrastructures and financing socially inclusive investments is more relevant than ever at a time of a shifting global economic order and constrained public budgets. The CEB continues to succeed in supporting the needs of vulnerable citizens and communities.

Opinion: Delivering Social Impact in a Fragmented World (2 December 2025)

Europe’s social-development bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year. The Bank’s work of improving social infrastructures and financing socially inclusive investments is more relevant than ever at a time of a shifting global economic order and constrained public budgets. The CEB continues to succeed in supporting the needs of vulnerable citizens and communities.

Supporting Roma businesses in South Eastern Europe

Social infrastructure in Baia Mare

CEB approves eight new loans totalling €902 million

The CEB has approved eight new loans totalling €902 million. The projects cover a wide range of sectors: health and social care; social and affordable housing; MSME financing and microfinance; urban, rural and regional development and environmental protection.

Empowering small businesses and strengthening the communities in Romania

A Programme loan to support the Borrower’s on-lending activities to micro-enterprises and social economy entities throughout Romania by facilitating access to financial resources for small businesses, microbusinesses and individuals, with limited or no access to the traditional banking system.

CEB approves 11 new loans totalling €800 million

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has approved eleven new loans totalling €800 million to finance social investments across its member countries. The projects address critical needs in education, healthcare, housing, microfinance, and public services, with a strong focus on supporting vulnerable groups.

CEB supports inclusive entrepreneurship in Romania with €25 million loan to BCR Social Finance

The CEB loan will finance lending activities targeting underserved communities, with a particular focus on women entrepreneurs, young people and rural households. In total, more than 3 260 micro-enterprises and farms, as well as around 125 social economy entities, are expected to benefit from improved access to finance.

Ukraine Recovery Conference (Rome, 10 July 2025)

Statement by Carlo Monticelli, Governor of the CEB

Statement by Governor Monticelli at Ukraine Recovery Conference (Rome, 10 July 2025)

At URC2025 in Rome, the CEB reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s recovery.

Supporting Leasing to MSMEs in Romania

A Programme loan to support the Borrower in supporting Romanian MSMEs to expand or maintain their operations and jobs through leasing. The CEB loan will partially finance eligible costs of productive investment projects of MSMEs, such as Paris-aligned vehicles, machinery and equipment, and office and production premise throughout the country.

CEB approves nine new loans totalling €878 million

The CEB has approved nine new loans totalling €878 million to support a broad range of social infrastructure projects across its member countries. These include investments in temporary accommodation for refugees, healthcare and education facilities, as well as microfinance and MSME financing. Of the total, €300 million will go to projects that support the integration of Ukrainians displaced across Europe in their host countries. The approvals also feature a significant contribution to Türkiye’s ongoing İstanbul Seismic Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project (ISMEP).

Partnerships

Partnerships help maximise the CEB’s effectiveness as Europe’s social development bank. They are also vehicles for sharing knowledge and best practices, and underpin multilateral action

Investing in people and enhancing human capital

Investing in people’s health, wellbeing and education is essential for social cohesion and fostering inclusive, thriving communities. In 2024, the Bank approved six loans for health and social care in four countries, totalling €603 million, six loans totalling over €594 million to support education in six countries, as well as €142 million for the protection and rehabilitation of historic and cultural heritage in Cyprus and Romania.

European partners celebrate HERO pilot project achievements

European partners celebrate HERO pilot project achievements

Historical and cultural heritage in Romania, phase 4

The CEB project finances the renovation of cultural and heritage assets in Romania, including the construction of a new Opera in Iași, benefiting residents and visitors.

CEB approves seven new loans totalling €685 million

The funds will support diverse sectors, including education and vocational training, social and affordable housing, urban, rural, and regional development, and the protection and rehabilitation of historic and cultural heritage.