Investment Plan for Europe: European Fund for Strategic Investments to be extended following successful first year

One year after the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) came into force, the Commission looks at what has worked well in the Investment Plan, what can be improved, and how to advance. The Communication published today makes concrete proposals for the future of the EFSI, building on its positive results so far. These proposals include extending the EFSI beyond its initial three year period; scaling up the resources for SME financing, one of the EFSI’s major success stories; making the Advisory Hub services more local; and exploring the possibility to use an EFSI-type model for investments in developing third countries. The European Investment Project Portal goes live today, giving investors a transparent pipeline of projects they can invest in. The Commission also publishes a Communication on the Single Market Agenda today which outlines the many strands of work that have been or will be carried out at EU level to create a business-friendly environment to encourage innovation and invest in people. More details on both Communications can be found in the press release and the accompanying Q&A Memo, both of which will be available in all languages. Factsheets on the results of the EFSI and the Investment Plan so far can be found on our website. You can watch the new video about EFSI projects here.