How the EIB Group contributes to keeping Europe competitive and innovative

Come and meet us in Brussels to mark the success of one of our priority initiatives, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the central pillar of the Juncker Plan! Join the “Europe works” exhibition, an event where you can experience directly how Europe improves lives.

Dive into the production of healthy algae whilst watching a virtual reality film about one of the companies we financed with the help of the Juncker Plan. Taste traditional Estonian sourdough bread and Greek olives provided by two family-run businesses, that the EIB Group supported through the initiative. But most of, meet some of the people who, through their fresh ideas or thorough knowledge of old crafts, work to make our continent unique.

Pictures of the event

Participants to the exhibition

Muhu Leib - Estonia

There’s something about warm, home-made bread that makes it taste so much better. Muhu Leib’s business idea is built on the old craft of baking. The aim is to bring the freshness and authenticity of home-baking to the market. In growing the business, the company needed financial support to purchase ovens, cabinets, mixers and fridges for its shops. An EFSI-backed loan enabled it to do so.

Mani Foods - Greece

Based in the hometown of one of Greece’s most famous olives, Kalamata, Mani Foods produces, packages and exports olives, olive oil and speciality foods. When the company made a breakthrough in sales it had to scale up its production considerably – EFSI helped it to do so.

Frusack - Czech Republic

A start-up producing Frusack, a reusable and compostable alternative to single use plastic bags, received urgently needed finance via an EFSI-backed loan. The money will allow the company to satisfy demand from European countries but also from Canada, Australia and the US.

Echolight - Italy

Echolight has developed the REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry) technique, an innovative, patented solution for the diagnosis of osteoporosis at an early stage, through radiation-free echographic examination. The test can provide an evaluation of bone strength in less than five minutes.

Energiepark Bruck - Austria

Traditionally rather known for tasty wines, the district Bruck an der Leitha in Lower Austria is now at the forefront of renewable energy production. An EFSI-backed loan supported the construction of two wind parks and a single wind turbine, which almost cover the energy needs of the adjunct communes in total.

Exovite - Spain

Using 3D-scanners and printers to produce light, durable ergonomic splints Exovite has developed innovative immobilisation and rehabilitation systems that speed up recovery for patients with broken bones. Thanks to an EFSI-backed loan, the 20 staff of the company, previously all part-timers, can now work on refining and expanding their business full time.

Jennewein - Germany

There is no such thing as healthy sugar? Think again. Jennewein is the producer of complex sugars that are a main component of human breast milk. They differ from simple sugars in that they reduce bacterial and viral infections, decrease the risk of allergies and inflammation, and promote brain development. Thanks to EFSI the company can scale up its production capacities and further deepen its research.

Poznan affordable housing - Poland

An EFSI-supported loan backs the city of Poznan’s affordable housing plan which provides for the construction of some 1,300 affordable flats. Tenants can pay off the value of the flat through rent –and within 5 to 25 years they become the owners of their apartments.

University of Latvia - Latvia

Currently, the University of Latvia's facilities are located all around the city of Riga. Thanks to the Investment Plan for Europe, students will soon be able to enjoy more of a campus feeling: the university will build a new research and technology centre and a new study centre conveniently next door to the National Library in central Riga.