The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting Greece’s efforts to protect and upgrade critical services and infrastructure, providing specialised technical assistance for the planning and preparation of investments that will strengthen the country’s resilience to future challenges and risks.

The protection of critical national infrastructure is a matter of national security, economic stability and social cohesion. At a time of intensifying climate pressures and new threats, strengthening the resilience of energy and water networks is a strategic priority for the Greek government.

As part of the collaboration, the EIB will support the Greek authorities in defining investment priorities, preparing mature projects and developing a comprehensive investment framework that will contribute to the creation of more resilient, sustainable and reliable infrastructure.

The initiative forms part of Greece’s efforts to strengthen the resilience of entities that provide essential services, in line with the European Union’s framework for the resilience of critical entities (Critical Entities Resilience, CER). Through EIB Advisory services, these objectives will be translated into specific investment plans and mature projects with a clear development impact.

The EIB will provide specialised technical expertise to identify and prioritise investments that strengthen resilience, build project portfolios and design effective implementation approaches, in full alignment with national priorities and European standards.

In the initial phase, support will focus on the energy and water sectors, where strengthening networks and ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of services are of critical importance to citizens, businesses and the economy.

The EIB will work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and relevant agencies to assess investment needs, accelerate project preparation and explore appropriate financing solutions to support future investments.

At the same time, the initiative will help strengthen institutional capacity and the exchange of know-how, supporting long-term investment planning and the creation of infrastructure better prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, stated: “We are at the Hadrianic Aqueduct in Athens, a structure that has continued to carry water for nearly 1,900 years. An iconic piece of infrastructure. A unique example of sustainable water management and a valuable part of Athens’ identity that highlights the enduring importance of infrastructure.

“Protecting critical water and energy infrastructure is a matter of national security, social cohesion and citizens’ quality of life. Together with the European Investment Bank, we are joining forces and leveraging European expertise to safeguard our critical infrastructure and make it more resilient to crises and the impacts of climate change, together with EYDAP, EYATH and our municipalities.

“At the same time, we are putting the new national water policy into action, with more than 200 projects, totaling over 600 million euros, through the new National Water Strategy and through structural reform in water management. We are strengthening our networks and ensuring that all citizens have access to safe, high-quality and affordable water, our most precious public good, for every citizen and for future generations.”

Yannis Tsakiris, Vice President of the EIB, stated: “Strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure is an investment in the security, sustainability and competitiveness of our economy. The EIB stands by Greece, providing expertise and advisory support to prepare investments that will safeguard essential services, strengthen the country’s resilience and create long-term value for citizens.”

The EIB’s role

The EIB Group is the investment arm of the European Union. Owned by the 27 member states, it is one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks. In 2025, the EIB Group signed new financing agreements and provided advisory services totaling 100 billion euros for more than 870 high-impact projects, within the framework of its eight key priorities supporting the EU’s policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defense, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships, and the integration of savings and investments.

In addition to providing long-term loans for major infrastructure projects, the EIB Group mobilises private investment for innovative projects and higher-risk ventures, continuously strengthening its role in European venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisation.

The European Investment Fund (EIF), a subsidiary of the EIB Group, specialises in providing guarantees and equity financing to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups across Europe. Acting as an anchor investor and through an extensive network of partner banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilises private capital and strengthens the venture capital ecosystem, supporting innovative European entrepreneurs.

In 2023, the EIF, in collaboration with six member states (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands), launched the European Tech Champions Initiative, a fund of funds aimed at scaling up innovative startups. The initiative has already contributed to the creation of 15 European mega-funds for venture capital investments and the growth of 45 companies, including 12 “unicorns” (valued at over 1 billion euros each).

EIB Advisory complements the Group’s financing activities by providing specialised technical and strategic support to public and private entities for the design, preparation and implementation of high-impact investments. In 2025, EIB Advisory supported 179 projects with a total value of over 80 billion euros in the European Union and internationally, helping to accelerate their implementation and mobilise additional investment capital.