Since the completion of the Juncker Plan in 2017 there has been much debate on how EU funds and instruments can provide innovative pathways to help finance social care and infrastructure for EU citizens. The aim of this Policy Dialogue was to discuss how EU funds and instruments can provide innovative pathways to finance the increasing demand for social care and infrastructure and make them fit for the changing needs and expectations of citizens in Europe. The debate focused on the European Commission’s recent proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, how it will enable the EU, the EIB, social providers and European societies at large to deliver on their social objectives and what needs to be done to unlock the potential of the EU budget in the social sector. A diverse panel of experts including EU policymakers, EIB and EFSI representatives, experts and civil society actors shared their views on the current policy environment for investment in social care and infrastructure and the way forward.

Speakers included: Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions, Georgi Pirinski, Member of the European Parliament, Iliyana Tsanova, Deputy Managing Director, European Fund for Strategic Investments, Lieve Fransen, Senior Advisor on Health, Social Affairs and Migration, European Policy Centre, Sorcha Edwards, Secretary-General, Housing Europe, Frank Lee, Head of Division, Financial Instruments Advisory, European Investment Bank, Jorge Ramírez Puertos, General Manager, European Microfinance Network.