EPTATF aims to enhance the quality and development impact of EIB operations in the Eastern Partnership Countries. It is a multi-donor, multi-sector trust fund established by the Bank in December 2010 in response to the need for specific technical advisory support to its lending activities in the Eastern Partnership Countries. In addition to direct project related support, the Trust Fund provides institutional support and capacity building via theEastern Partnership Internship Programme and the Eastern Partnership Secondment Programme. Click here to view its Strategic Orientations 2014 – 2016 and Rules relating to the Establishment and administration and Procedure.
The EPTATF fills critical gaps for the development and implementation of investment projects by providing financing for:
- pre-feasibility, feasibility and other studies for the preparation of investment projects
- institutional and legal assessments
- environmental and social impact assessments
- project management and/or promoter support throughout the project implementation process
- upstream studies to identify investment needs and priorities as well as horizontal activities addressing institutional issues and capacity building.
EPTATF is a flexible mechanism, capable of providing rapid support towards meeting evolving needs and capacity development requirements in the Eastern Partnership Countries. Established and managed by the EIB, the Fund benefits from the Bank’s extensive experience and expertise in appraisal and advisory work.
The EIB is launching its Eastern Partnership Secondment Programme for professionals from both the public and private sectors. The Programme is set up with support by the Eastern Partnership Trust Fund (EPTATF). The deadline for applications is midnight on 6th of September 2016. Full details of the roles, and how to apply, can be found at: https://erecruitment.eib.org
Eligibility for EPTATF financing
Countries currently eligible for EPTATF support are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Fund may also finance cross-border or regional studies or programmes which are of priority for the countries concerned.
Priority Sectors
- Local private sector development, particularly supporting small and medium sized enterprises;
- Development of social and economic infrastructure, including: transport, energy, water, environmental infrastructure and information and communication technology;
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Complementarity and Coordination
EPTATF aims at strengthening the Bank’s lending activities in the Eastern Partnership Countries. It complements existing blending mechanisms and financing instruments and acts in line with the strategic orientations set by the EIB and endorsed by the Fund’s Contributors. Operations are developed in close coordination with the partner countries concerned and in coherence with their strategies and plans.
Contributors
Austria, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have already contributed EUR 26.8m to the Trust Fund and more countries are expected to join. Participation enables contributing countries to provide strategic input to the EIB in its response to new challenges in the Eastern Partnership Countries and to enhance the impact of this response.
