The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Gruppo CAP have signed a €100 million finance agreement to support the company’s 2025–2030 investment plan. The announcement was made by EIB Director General of Operations Jean-Christophe Laloux and Chairman of Gruppo CAP Yuri Santagostino.
Gruppo CAP, the public utility managing the integrated water service for the Milan metropolitan area, is a leading force in the innovation of Lombardy’s water infrastructure. Through its network of partnerships, equity holdings, and joint ventures, CAP also operates across waste treatment, bioenergy, green energy, and circular economy sectors — making it one of the region’s most advanced players in sustainable resource management.
The agreement aims to modernise water and wastewater infrastructure across Milan and several Lombard provinces, benefiting 154 municipalities and over 2.4 million people. EIB funds will support projects that increase network resilience, mitigate flood risks from sewage overloads, enhance wastewater treatment efficiency, and advance digital solutions for smart water management.
“Investing in water infrastructure means investing in people’s quality of life. The EIB funding will help to ensure a safer, more reliable and sustainable service for communities in the Milan metropolitan area and much of Lombardy,” said Jean-Christophe Laloux.
Financing innovation and resilience through InvestEU
The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Its operations are guided by eight strategic priorities — from climate action and digital innovation to social cohesion and the bioeconomy. In 2024 alone, the EIB Group, including the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed more than 900 projects worth nearly €89 billion, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability, and security.
In Italy, the EIB signed 99 operations in 2024 worth €10.98 billion, mobilising around €37 billion of investment in the real economy. All EIB projects are aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, in line with the institution’s Climate Bank Roadmap. Nearly 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing directly contributes to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental protection.
This financing is also supported by the InvestEU programme, which consolidates EU financial instruments into a single framework to facilitate sustainable investments. Backed by a €26.2 billion EU budget guarantee, InvestEU aims to mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment. Its three pillars — the InvestEU Fund, Advisory Hub, and Portal — support projects advancing the European Green Deal and the digital transition.
“This funding strengthens our ability to plan and implement large-scale strategic investments and will have a direct impact on the local economy and the quality of services,” stated Yuri Santagostino. “The trust that the EIB places in us confirms the solidity of our industrial model and enables us to upgrade water infrastructure at a faster pace, generating value for the people and for the Lombardy region.
Italy, Europe’s top beneficiary of EIB water financing
Since 1958, the EIB has financed more than 1,770 water-related projects worldwide, providing over €86 billion in funding. Over the last decade, Italy has been the largest recipient of EIB resources for the water sector, securing more than €4.3 billion in financing.
The loan to Gruppo CAP adds to a series of 2025 operations, including €45 million for BrianzAcque, €150 million for Acqua Novara.VCO, €30 million for Azienda Comprensoriale Acquedottistica S.p.A., and €90 million for ACEA. Together, these initiatives reinforce Italy’s leadership in sustainable water management and infrastructure modernisation.
Cover: Jean-Christophe Laloux and Yuri Santagostino