• The financial package will be implemented over the next three years.
• It will promote agricultural sustainability, gender equality, youth inclusion, and ecological projects.
• In addition, it will include different programs to boost investment from private entities and encourage public-private collaboration.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has announced a €3 billion investment to strengthen the agricultural sector and the bioeconomy in Europe. This financial package, to be implemented over the next three years, seeks to boost the sector's sustainability, with a particular focus on supporting the incorporation of young farmers and ranchers, gender equality, and green investments.

It also includes measures to strengthen agricultural insurance against extreme weather events, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC) . This initiative is expected to mobilize up to €8.4 billion in additional investment through the participation of other financial institutions such as national development banks, credit unions, regional entities, and even private investors seeking public-private partnerships.

Key axes of the plan

This aid package is a historic investment by the EIB in the European agricultural sector and includes several key elements:

1. Aimed at small and medium-sized businesses and agricultural organizations.
2. Part of the funding will be focused on helping new farmers and ranchers, as well as women , groups that face greater difficulties in accessing traditional credit.
3. Projects that promote agricultural sustainability , such as improving soil health, digitalization, efficient water management, and adaptation to climate change, will be encouraged.
4. Strengthening agricultural insurance by improving coverage against climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods through collaboration between the EIB, the EC, and the insurance industry.
5. Specific financial support programs :
   • A venture capital program will be implemented for companies developing innovative agricultural technologies.
   • Guarantee schemes will be created to facilitate access to credit using European funds such as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development ( EAFRD ) .
   • A private equity program will be launched to attract investors to the agri-food and bioeconomy sectors.
6. Improvements to rural infrastructure with investments in transportation networks, education, and water management in agricultural areas.
7. The Green Gateway program will offer financial advice to optimize investments in green projects and will have a tool, the Green Eligibility Checker , that will be used to assess the environmental impact of these investments.

These measures will help ensure the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the European agricultural sector.

Contextualization

The EIB is the European Union 's financial institution that offers long-term loans for projects that promote economic growth, sustainability, and social cohesion. Its investments are aligned with the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement , and it does not finance fossil fuel-related projects. The EIB has committed to allocating €1 trillion to environmental and climate initiatives by 2030.