The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided around €1.6 billion in financing to Finnish public sector bodies and companies last year, supporting climate action, energy security, innovation, and small business finance, the organization reported in a statement. The funding covered sustainable transport, social infrastructure, advanced technologies, and access to finance for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. The support helped mobilize total investments in Finland of about €4.9 billion—equivalent to 1.8 percent of GDP or €868 per person.
Among the year’s key projects was EIB support for new tram infrastructure in the Helsinki metropolitan area, strengthening sustainable urban mobility and cutting transport emissions. The EIB also financed upgrades to hospitals and schools across Finland, improving energy efficiency and resilience in essential public services, as well as investments to enhance safety and reliability at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, supporting secure low-carbon electricity generation.
Support for Finnish industry and innovation included EIB financing of up to €870 million for Nokia to advance research, development, and innovation in 5G and 6G networks, semiconductors, and digital connectivity. In 2025, the EIB signed part of this facility, with a dedicated portion allocated to research and innovation activities in Finland. The EIB also provided €20 million to Aisti, a Finnish startup scaling sustainable, noise-reducing building materials made from natural fibers. Aisti will use the loan to double the planned production capacity of its large-scale facility in Kitee in Eastern Finland.
“The EIB Group’s engagement in Finland supports the country’s priorities in the green transition, energy, and innovation,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “By backing projects ranging from sustainable transport and public infrastructure to cutting-edge digital technologies, we help strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and resilience while delivering tangible benefits for citizens.”
The European Investment Fund, which focuses on equity investments and guarantees for smaller businesses, also played a key role in Finland last year. EIF support amounted to €222 million, mobilizing additional financing for Finnish companies through equity investments in Finland-based and pan-European funds and guarantees for small and medium-sized enterprises. This included launching a €30 million EU-backed export credit guarantee pilot under InvestEU, in partnership with Finnvera, to support Finnish firms trading with Ukraine. During the year, Finnvera also joined EIF as a new shareholder, further strengthening cooperation between the EIB Group and Finland in support of small businesses and economic resilience.
