Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) to provide EUR 300 million to the Nederlandse Waterschapsbank N.V. for infrastructure, social housing and energy efficiency in Netherlands

NWB Bank provides loans to public authorities and public sector institutions in order to finance investments at the local level with the aim of improving living conditions in sectors such as housing, health, the environment and education.

The CEB funds will support the three main pillars of public investment at the local level – social, energy efficiency and water – and will be channelled through NWB Bank to municipal and regional authorities, housing associations, healthcare institutions, education institutions, environmental and public transport entities, and water management authorities.

It is anticipated that at least 50 social projects will benefit from CEB financing. In the social sector, CEB funds will be used for kindergarten and school buildings, social housing units, healthcare facilities, and various community services such as cultural and sports facilities, and public transport infrastructure. Beneficiaries will include vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, refugees and homeless persons.

In terms of energy efficiency, it is expected that the funds will support renewable energy investments as well as energy efficiency improvements to buildings. In the area of water, the CEB loan will finance projects related to the improvement of drinking water supplies and water distribution, and also to climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

CEB Governor Rolf Wenzel said: “By helping to improve and modernise regional and municipal infrastructure throughout the Netherlands, the CEB loan will benefit thousands of people, including vulnerable persons. We are happy that, thanks to our partnership with NWB Bank, we are able to respond effectively to the need for public infrastructure and renewable energy investments at the local level.”