InvestEU
InvestEU is a powerful investment platform through which the European Commission invites banks, financial institutions and investors to co-finance businesses across Europe. The European Commission provides a financial guarantee of up to €26.2 billion for investments through InvestEU. The aim is for this guarantee to mobilise at least €372 billion in investment across Europe by 2027.
InvestEU aims to support Europe's post-pandemic recovery and build a greener, more digital and more resilient European economy. InvestEU can also support the European economy by addressing new challenges arising from significant environmental and security uncertainty.
The European Commission's guarantee is channelled through implementing partners such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB). They deliver InvestEU through a range of financial instruments, including loans, financial guarantees and equity instruments.
Norway's association with InvestEU
On 23 May 2023, Norway signed an agreement with the EU to participate in InvestEU. As of 24 November 2023, Norway's participation is incorporated into the agreements between the EU and the implementing partners. We are the national coordinator for the programme.
Norwegian companies with major projects, as well as banks, financial institutions and investors, can now contact the EIB, EIF and NIB to explore financial cooperation, or contact us for an introduction to the partners.
InvestEU opens up significant opportunities in Europe for Norwegian companies seeking capital, networks and expertise.
Green and digital transition
The InvestEU programme focuses on four thematic areas:
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Research, innovation and digitalisation
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Social investment and human capital
Norway participates in the first three, all of which are well aligned with the needs of Norwegian businesses.
InvestEU also includes strategic initiatives such as the green and digital transition and strengthening European industry. These may be delivered through programmes such as Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) and the Innovation Fund linked to the EU Emissions Trading System, or through sectors such as batteries, hydrogen, microelectronics, cloud technology, minerals, the maritime sector, pharmaceutical ingredients and solar energy.
At least 30 per cent of the investment mobilised will be earmarked for climate- and environment-related projects that contribute to the EU's climate targets.
Access to InvestEU funding
We receive a number of enquiries from businesses about InvestEU and how to access InvestEU funding. Small and medium-sized companies will mainly access this funding through banks and financial institutions offering loan and financial guarantee products, as well as through investment funds. This applies to banks, financial institutions and investment funds seeking a cooperation agreement with the EIF.
The EIB and NIB can enter into loan agreements directly with Norwegian companies for larger amounts, typically financing up to 50 per cent of project costs. For more information about the terms, visit their websites: Loans for the private sector (eib.org) and NIB and InvestEU - Nordic Investment Bank.
The InvestEU Portal is open to projects from Norway
In addition to being an investment platform, InvestEU includes the InvestEU Portal, which serves as a 'one-stop shop' for European projects. The portal is the EU's online matchmaking tool, connecting companies with projects across a range of sectors to international investors. It also gives companies visibility among banks and financial institutions. Norwegian companies can register their projects and funding needs in the InvestEU Portal.
We are the national coordinator
As the national coordinator for the InvestEU programme, we provide businesses across Norway with information and expert knowledge about the opportunities the programme offers. We do this through dialogue with companies and industry organisations, banks and financial institutions, and the investment community. We will step up this work in the coming period.
At the same time, we will begin applying for a new agreement with the EIF for our own loan and financial guarantee schemes.
Our other EU funding services
Explore our other services for EU funding and advisory, where you can learn more about the European Innovation Council Accelerator, collaborative projects under Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and European innovation ecosystems.
