The European Investment Bank and the water sector

Through its lending, the European Investment Bank (EIB) supports capital projects that give practical expression to the objectives of the European Union (EU). Environmental protection and improving people's welfare are one of the Bank's top priorities, for which it has decided to earmark between 25% and 35% of its lending in the member countries of the Union.

In 2004, the environment accounted for 36% of lending for major projects in the EU-25, 59% in the Accession Countries and 18% in the partner countries