EIB Advisory JASPERS Stakeholders Meeting 2025

On 3–4 December, EIB Advisory marked 20 years of advisory support through its JASPERS programme and hosted the JASPERS Stakeholders’ Meeting in Brussels. This event celebrated two decades of helping deliver high-quality, transformative projects across European regions. 

The meeting brought together about 150 representatives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, policymakers, and counterparts from EU Member States, Pre-Accession, and Neighbourhood countries. 

Session Highlights

Opening remarks
Senior leaders addressed the audience, with Vice-President Tsakiris of the European Investment Bank speaking in person and Executive Vice-President Fitto of the European Commission contributing via video. Their remarks underscored the strategic importance of JASPERS and its EIB advisory role in supporting Member States.

Session 1: Focus on MTR priorities and advisory support 

The first session addressed priorities identified in the Mid-Term Review of Cohesion policy.

Presentations by EIB Advisory JASPERS experts and Polish Waters highlighted climate adaptation and innovative approaches to water management under the theme of water resilience and nature-based solutions. Colleagues from the European Commission’s DG BUDG and EIB Advisory then discussed the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and its role in supporting technological advancement and resilience. Strategies for helping cities transition to climate neutrality were shared by EIB Advisory experts, followed by a session on sustainable housing where representatives from the EIB and Urbanex (Croatia) addressed challenges and solutions for affordable and sustainable living.  The session concluded with an interactive questions and answers with the audience.

Session 2: Consultation on JASPERS Mid-Term Evaluation 

This interactive session, moderated by DG REGIO, presented preliminary results from the ongoing JASPERS mid-term evaluation. Participants were invited to share their views and discuss findings, supporting the evaluation’s quality and representativeness.

Session 3: Panel Discussion — Challenges for the next decade and future MFF

A high-level panel discussed experiences and lessons learned from the 2021–27 period, considering how these insights can help address challenges in the decade ahead. The panel also reflected on perspectives for the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).  Speakers included Emma Toledano Laredo (DG REGIO), Christoph Kuhn (EIB), and Barbara Banki (DG ENEST). 

Session 4: Connectivity beyond EU borders — Enlargement and Neighbourhood regions

This session explored how policies and strategies, when translated into investment priorities and concrete infrastructure projects, can shape connectivity for EU enlargement and neighbourhood countries.

It addressed connectivity and infrastructure priorities beyond EU borders, beginning with plans to extend Trans-European Networks to the Eastern Neighbourhood. Updates included the EU rail gauge extension to Ukraine and Moldova, as well as discussions on developing the Ukraine–Romania power interconnector to strengthen energy links. The session also examined the digital dimension through projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and technological integration in the Western Balkans.

Resources:

• Presentations Session 1
• Presentations Session 4