Promote youth employment, the development of modern infrastructures and the ecological transition through sustainable agricultural practices, clean mobility and water efficiency. These are the main objectives of the financing agreements for 100 million euros signed between the European Investment Bank (Bei) and the Calabria Region.
The partnership was announced today in Rome by the Vice President Bei Gelsomina Vigliotti and by the President of the Calabria Region Roberto Occhiuto, On the occasion of the presentation of the Bei Group’s activity in Italy in 2024. The 100 million euros loans are part of two wider packages of 300 million a total approved by the Bei in favor of Calabria. These credit lines, at advantageous conditions and lasting 25 years, will help to support investments for a total of 1.6 billion euros.
The first financial package aims to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient to climate change, promoting a transition to responsible fishing practices and the protection of marine biodiversity. It will be possible to start over 1,200 new agricultural businesses managed by young people, modernize more than 2,500 companies and provide training to over 10,000 people on topics such as organic agriculture, sustainable breeding and innovation. The project also provides for the conversion of over 115,000 hectares to biological crops and the safety of additional 100,000 hectares to prevent hydrogeological instability. Finally, the digital component will guarantee access to broadband to more than half of the rural population.
The second package is oriented to improve the environmental sustainability of the region with interventions aimed at ecological mobility and circular economy. Bei’s funds will be used for the purchase of eight Bimodal Trains (Electric-Spel), as well as to reduce water losses in the regional network, enhancing its resilience against future extreme meteorological events. The project also includes interventions aimed at improving recycling and recovery of waste, with the aim of reducing the environmental imprint.
Almost zero energy accommodation are also planned, between redevelopment of existing building and the construction of new houses, for about 900 students from the Universities of Cosenza and Catanzaro, as well as new reception centers intended for migrants and refugees.
«We start again in 2025 with the signature of Two important financing agreements that will make the Calabria Region more sustainable, efficient and resilient“He said Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice -president of the Bei. «Investing in ecological agricultural practices, – he added – support entrepreneurship and training of young people, buy bimodal trains and create low carbon emissions infrastructures, such as students for students and reception centers for migrants and refugees, is crucial to accelerate the ecological transition and promote the economic and inclusive development of the territory. These agreements confirm the BEI commitment to support environmental sustainability and social and economic cohesion in Europe ».
«I thank Bei for signing two important financing agreements with my region, for encourage the development and modernization of agriculture and the creation of sustainable infrastructures“Said Roberto Occhiuto, president of the Calabria Region. “These are design measures capable of representing a great opportunity for Calabria and for our young agricultural entrepreneurs – he continued – in order to support green policies, such as the conversion of the land to biological cultivation, favoring the prevention of hydrogeological instability. There will also be an opportunity to modernize our infrastructure network, so that it is increasingly sustainable and in line with the ecological transition. Calabria is a region eager to renew itself and keep up with the times ».
Occhiuto: “Bridge, but also roads and railways”
«We expect the government is consequent with the aim of the bridge over the strait. The bridge is important but it is also important there are road and railway networks that connect the rest of the town to the bridge “said the president of the Calabria Region, Roberto Occhiutoon the sidelines of the presentation of the Bei Group’s activity in Italy in 2024. “On high speed it is important that the resources that are used to bring it to Calabria are found – he added -. In the PNRR there is no euro for high speed in Calabria, but we have been knowing for some time, since the recovery plan has been prepared. A billion is needed to bring it to Praia a Mare, this would already be an important result because Calabria would bring Calabria brought to the Calabrians at least half an hour by train “. «The 100 million financed by beautiful will unlock investments for 1.6 billion euros. Calabria is the first region to use the opportunities that Bei offers to the regions to co -finance the operational programs and I hope that this first activity is the beginning of a profitable collaboration between the Region and Bei ». “When I settled I found a billion resources from non -spent structural funds – he added -. This invites us to better use these resources ». “I hope this agreement may be the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between my region and the beautiful also in other areas, such as the theme of hydric and drought – continued Occhiuto -. The fact that 55% of the beautiful resources should be invested for climatic actions well combined with the needs of the South regions, more exposed to climate change “.