Milan, 01 July 2022, The European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), the National Association of Regional Financial Institutions (ANFIR), Finlombarda (the in-house public financial institution of Lombardy Region) and the University of International Studies of Rome (UNINT) jointly organized an event entitled "The financial instruments under cohesion policy to strengthen the economic and territorial recovery".

Attilio Fontana, , Lombardy Region President, and Marco Alparone, Lombardy Region Undersecretary for the Brussels Delegation and Control System welcomed and greeted the participants.

EAPB’s newly appointed President, Lidwin van Velden (CEO of NWB Bank) gave the opening remarks, she stated:

“Over the past EU budget cycles, European public banks have become increasingly important players in the implementation of European structural funds, which are a cornerstone of the EU ambition toward the green and digital transition and for public spending to play its counter-cyclical role in these difficult economic times marked by multiple crises. Loans and guarantees have become increasingly used as efficient complement to grants as many of these investments in the energy and environmental transition, as well as in digitalisation are bound to generate economic returns and be sustainable at the same time. They also tap into the creativity and sense of ownership that people have over their funded projects”.

Michele Vietti, President of ANFIR, commented on the role of regional financial institutions in management of cohesion policy funds and in structuring and management of business support measures:

“In recent years, regional financial institutions have allowed to move from a preponderant - if not almost exclusive - logic of grants to a new model of public support, based on financial instruments capable of reconciling the need of supporting the territory with the sustainability of public accounts and financed projects. Ability of these entities to combine market rules with the aims of territorial public policies in favor of businesses called upon to face new challenges in terms of digitalization and innovation, strengthening of the financial and capital structure, strengthening of supply chains and sustainability, represents an asset for the entire Country System.”

Jonathan Denness, Head of Unit Financial, Instruments & Relations with International Financial Institutions, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO) European Commission showcased how the EU Cohesion Policy is at the forefront of the European regions recovery.

The round table on the financial instruments of the cohesion policy for the recovery of the economy and territories was moderated by Prof. Robert Leonardi, School of Government, LUISS Guido Carli University, and compised by:

Massimo Audisio, Councillor Milan Bar Association
Marcella Caradonna, President Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Milan
Michele Maria D’Ercole, Director Projects and Instruments Area Territorial Cohesion Agency
Mariateresa Di Giacomo, Head of Unit Financial, Instruments, Adriatic Sea Department, European Investment Bank
Vito Grassi, Vice President with responsibility for Territorial Cohesion Policy Confindustria
Marc Lloveras Llavina, Director Product Development, Institut Català de Finances
Andrea Nuzzi, Head of Corporate and Financial, Institutions Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Pier Attilio Superti, Deputy Secretary-General Presidency Lombardy Region

Ms. Elena Bonetti, Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family offered the closing remarks.