Ep. 22: ERDF financial instruments for innovation

A discussion with Kornelia Milczarek, Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship (the managing authority for the regional ERDF programme in Pomorskie), Joanna Protasiewicz, Pomorskie Loan Fund (Pomorski Fundusz Pożyczkowy, PFP), Ewelina Żaguń, Pomorskie Development Fund (Pomorski Fundusz Rozwoju) and Andrzej Urbanik, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG REGIO, hosted by Anna Zurek, Financial Instruments Advisor, EIB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the Scale-Up initiative designed and led by DG REGIO and EIB Advisory, under the fi-compass framework, which is aimed at accelerating energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy investments across Europe.  It focuses on how financial instruments combined with capital rebates can drive renovation of residential, public, and commercial buildings. Through insights from Croatia, the European Commission and the EIB, the discussion highlights why energy efficiency matters, how new regulatory tools work, and what it takes to mobilise private capital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Kornelia Milczarek, Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship (the managing authority for the regional ERDF programme in Pomorskie), Joanna Protasiewicz, Pomorskie Loan Fund (Pomorski Fundusz Pożyczkowy, PFP), Ewelina Żaguń, Pomorskie Development Fund (Pomorski Fundusz Rozwoju) and Andrzej Urbanik, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG REGIO, hosted by Anna Zurek, Financial Instruments Advisor, EIB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Iva Petkova, Melvin Könings, Abel Mascarenhas and Jörg Lackenbauer, hosted by Nathalie Van Neck, DG REGIO.Winners of the 2025 FI Campus Showcase Awards, highlighting impactful EU shared management financial instruments from Bulgaria, Portugal, and the Netherlands.Through discussions with award recipients and DG REGIO representatives, it illustrates how innovation, collaboration, and urban development funds are driving sustainable growth, leverage, and future investment priorities across Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Main topics: The panel marked fi-compass’s 10th anniversary by reflecting on its impact and highlighting how its publications, knowledge hubs, case studies, and networking have supported the design and implementation of financial instruments. Participants shared future plans focused on green, digital, SME, urban, and innovation financing, with examples like the use of reflows, underscoring collaboration, adaptability, and the growing role of financial instruments in sustainable development across Europe.This podcast was filmed live during FI Campus with expert speakers: Cecilia Gyalog, Head of EU Strategy and International Relations at MFB in Hungary; Inga Beiliūnienė, Head of International Relations at the National Promotional Bank in Lithuania; Iva Petkova, Director of the FLAG Fund and the Sustainable Cities Fund in Bulgaria; and Grzegorz Orawiec, Director in the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy in Poland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Sara Dagostini from DG REGIO and Thomas Hüttich from Investitionsbank, hosted by Caterina Pieretto, European Investment Bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Aleksi Aho, Stela Vulpe, and Nathalie Van Neck from DG REGIO, hosted by Caterina Pieretto, European Investment Bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Iveta Ivánová, Andrzej Urbanik, and Nathalie Van Neck from DG Regio, hosted by Francisca de Novais e Silva, European Investment Bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Main topics: combinations of grants and financial instruments, audit methodology, smart growth and sustainable finance, energy efficiency in housing, and horizontal selection criteria in the implementation of financial instruments.This podcast was filmed live during FI Campus with expert speakers responding to questions from a live audience: Jonathan Denness, Head of Financial Instruments and International Financial Institutions Relations Unit, DG REGIO, Oana Dordain, Deputy Head of Financial Instruments and International Financial Relations Unit, DG REGIO, Emily Smith, Head of Climate and Urban Unit, EIB, Frank Lee, Head of Financial Intermediary Advisory Division, EIB, and Desmond Gardner, Financial Instruments Advisor, EIB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A discussion with Jonathan Denness, Head of Unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, hosted by Frank Lee from the fi-compass team at EIB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.