EIB to help Romania future-proof its water networks against worsening climate risks

Romania has signed a new advisory agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to modernise its water and wastewater infrastructure, as the country faces mounting pressure from more frequent droughts and floods, the bank said. Signed at the annual EIB Forum in Luxembourg, the deal pairs the EIB with Romania’s Investment and Development Bank (BID) to help get climate-adaptation projects properly structured, financed and aligned with EU rules.

The core problem the partnership is trying to solve is a familiar one across the region: Romania’s water infrastructure is old, and many municipalities — especially smaller ones — simply don’t have the technical or financial know-how to develop projects that can attract investment. The EIB’s advisory team will work directly with the BID to build that capacity from the ground up, covering everything from project preparation to monitoring and compliance.

“Through this advisory partnership, we are enhancing the financial and technical capacity of Romania’s Investment and Development Bank to effectively assess, structure and oversee climate-resilient water projects,” said EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris. BID General Director Raluca Nicolescu said the support will open doors to financing for regional operators and smaller municipalities that have long struggled to get projects off the ground.

The agreement puts a notable emphasis on green-grey infrastructure — combining nature-based approaches with conventional engineering — and requires all projects to meet the EU’s “Do No Significant Harm” standard. Shared tools and training will also help regional water operators submit stronger, more consistent project proposals.

The deal is part of the EIB’s pledge to invest €15 billion in the global water sector between 2025 and 2027, as water stress across Europe continues to worsen.