On 12 October, CEEP took part in the European Week of Regions and Cities, organised by the Committee of Regions. Valeria Ronzitti, CEEP General Secretary, addressed the audience of the panel discussion “The Need for Investment in Social Infrastructures”, alongside representatives of the European Association of Long-Term Investor, European Commission’s DG ECFIN and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, member of the French section of CEEP, who organised the roundtable.

During her speech, Ms Ronzitti addressed the political hurdle to investment in social infrastructures: “We need to improve the conditions in which promoters of projects in social infrastructures are operating. There are two solutions in our view: widening the scope of the European Fund for Strategic Investments to channel investments to social infrastructures and finally better using the flexibility within the Stability and Growth Pact.”

Alternative models of financing such as the social impact bonds were also presented as examples of new tools to finance projects. “Social impact bonds can be very useful at local, regional or even national level. However, as it is a new tool, it is still difficult to estimate the final return on investment. But we already have good examples developing in Finland, in Sweden and in the Netherlands, where funds are channelled thanks to social impact bonds to projects supporting fight against unemployment, improving childcare services and integrating migrants into the society and the labour market”, said Ms Ronzitti.

But, above all, CEEP calls for political awareness on the issue. “We now need a clear political will to support the development of social infrastructures, and to invest in the human capital in Europe”, concluded Ms Ronzitti.