InvestEU equity investments for critical and strategic raw materials

Country / jurisdiction: European Union · Year: 2024 · Status: In force · Level: Regional · Type: Voluntary

The European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have launched a new facility under the InvestEU umbrella, aimed at mobilising up to EUR 100 million for investments in critical and strategic raw materials. This initiative is crucial for the EU's digital and green transitions.

Funding Breakdown: EU Contribution: EUR 25 million from the Horizon Europe Programme.

EBRD Contribution: EUR 25 million.

Additional Leverage: EUR 50 million.

Objective: To support the exploration and sustainable development of critical raw materials (CRM) to reduce supply chain risks and ensure resources for industrial sectors while maintaining EU environmental and social standards.

To support the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act and the REPowerEU Plan.

Target Regions: EU Member States where the EBRD operates: Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Czechia.

EBRD countries outside the EU covered by the Horizon Europe programme: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine.

Investment Focus: Early-stage equity investments in 5-10 junior mining companies (SMEs or small mid-caps) engaged in CRM exploration.

Projects will adhere to high climate, governance, environmental, and social standards, aligned with the EBRD's Paris Agreement Alignment and Environmental and Social Policy screening.

Official source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_4102