National Promotional Banks Multiply the Impact of EU Funds

Brussels, 27 November 2025 – Senior policymakers and financial leaders convened at a high-level panel hosted by the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) to underline the strategic role of National Promotional Banks (NPBs) in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Under the theme “Doing More with EU Funding: Maximising the Leverage of the EU Budget,” the discussion focused on how the future MFF can enhance investment delivery across the Union. Participants highlighted that the EU faces an unprecedented set of economic, social and environmental challenges that require a more efficient and impact-oriented use of EU resources.

NPBs were identified as essential partners in achieving this objective. With their public mandate, robust financial expertise and close proximity to regional and local needs, NPBs are uniquely equipped to translate EU budget allocations into bankable projects. They play a critical role in de-risking investments, mobilising private capital and supporting project development throughout the entire investment lifecycle.

As part of the event, EAPB presented its Compendium on Financial Instruments which outlines effective approaches for using guarantees, loans and equity instruments to convert EU funds into tangible investments.

Key Priorities for the Next MFF

Panelists stressed four priorities to maximise the leverage and effectiveness of EU funding:

• Integrate NPB expertise across the project cycle: Involve NPBs in programming and project design to ensure financial viability from the outset.

• Reinforce the Partnership Principle: Strengthen regional and local engagement to ensure investments respond to actual territorial needs.

• Scale up blended finance solutions: Expand the use of guarantees, loans and equity—supported by streamlined reporting—to generate more results with limited resources.

• Build local capacity: Strengthen smaller institutions and less-developed regions to ensure investments can be deployed effectively across all territories.

Panel Contributors

The panel brought together senior representatives from the European policy and financial community:

• Sari Rautio, Hämeenlinna City Council & President of the EPP Group, European Committee of the Regions

• Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow, Bruegel

• Lourdes Acedo Montoya, Head of Unit & Chief Economist, DG BUDG

• Mateusz Szczurek, Board Member, BGK

• Moderated by: Anna Gumbau

Strong Support for Enhanced Cooperation with NPBs

In her concluding remarks, Lidwin Van Velden, EAPB President and CEO of NWB Bank, emphasised the strategic contribution of NPBs in delivering EU priorities:

“National and regional promotional banks are essential for maximizing EU investment. Our unique public mandate and financial expertise allow us to turn political priorities into viable projects on the ground. By involving NPBs early, we can deploy guarantees and other instruments strategically to mobilise private capital and share risks—delivering lasting value for citizens and communities across Europe. The results speak for themselves: when Europe works with its national promotional banks, every euro of the EU budget achieves far greater impact.”

Additional Resources

• Learn more about how national promotional banks use financial instruments

• Event takeaways → link to be inserted

• Event photo gallery

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