Boosting Investment in Social Infrastructure in Europe. Report of the High-Level Task Force on Investing in Social Infrastructure in Europe, chaired by Romano Prodi and Christian Sautter

Summary:

The European Association of Long-Term Investors (ELTI) was set up in 2013 to advocate a positive financial environment and a new investment framework in Europe. One year ago, with the support of its 27 members, the association decided to launch a High-Level Task Force on social infrastructure (SI) chaired by Romano Prodi and by Christian Sautter.

Social infrastructure is among ELTI’s core objectives. In fact, it is critical for the society, though difficult to measure, it generates positive externalities; it resembles all the particular characteristics of long-term investments; and it represents a key field where efficient and productive interaction between public and private actors is mostly needed. There is a large gap between the needs and the actual money mobilised.

This report, steered by the High- Level Task Force, is very useful as it shows where there are bottlenecks and ‘small stones in the shoes’. Throttle, brakes and deterrents are clearly established and, thus, all the participants involved know exactly where they can be more efficient. This report can be considered as a first step to identifying a new asset class for European investors looking to make long-term investments –whoever they may be: national and European promotional institutions, of course, or, also, private financial institutions looking for diversification and steady returns and aiming to have a social impact. By giving recommendations classified under three categories —political, policies and quick wins —this report is ambitious and pragmatic.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Commentary and Analysis

Social Europe, 28/03/18: We Need More Social Investment But No More PPPs https://www.socialeurope.eu/we-need-more-social-investment-but-no-more-ppps

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ESO Records

European Commission, 12 December 2014: Building to last: boosting long-term investment in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-building-to-last-boosting-long-term-investment-in-europe/

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