European Investment Bank on Capacity Building Challenges in the JVI Region

The international institutions had a catalytic role in the process of capacity building in the past. Nevertheless, at the current level of development of the countries within the region, we believe that the capacity building opportunities offered by the JVI, and by the international institutions in general, are facing an increasing competition from other providers, such as national public sector entities (central banks), the private sector and also from the academia, e.g. summer schools.

That said, we also think that international institutions can offer a more targeted and more policy-relevant curriculum than most of the other players. They can bring to the table a combination of practical expertise, cross-country experience, and in-depth knowledge of the relevant issues, which is difficult to achieve or replicate. For generic training it is possible to find good courses elsewhere, however, for the more specific areas of economic policy the international institutions are clearly better positioned to provide an outstanding course agenda and the relevant knowledge.

Furthermore, we should not forget that in many countries in the JVI region, public sector entities are facing binding budget constraints, and for them the JVI is providing excellent quality of training while being mindful of the limited resources.

The EIB contribution to the JVI training curriculum

The one-week course by the EIB—Investment and Investment Finance—fills a very specific niche within the JVI palette. The course looks at investment and investment finance in Europe, in particular in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries. It addresses both the macro issues and sectorial specificities. It discusses the relevance of strategic planning of investment based on the method of growth diagnostics. In case studies, participants elaborate on practical examples of public sector strategies for investment support. The course also presents the role of the EIB Group in financing investment, with EIB Group experts discussing best standards and practices for investment and investment finance decisions, instruments, and other issues.

From this year onwards, our new and unique EU-wide corporate survey on investment (the EIB investment survey—EIBIS) will also be an integral part of the curriculum.

At the EIB, we also regard JVI trainings as a great chance to build a dialogue with existing or prospective public sector clients. They strengthen operational links between the EIB and our partner countries. They provide us a chance to make our instruments more well-known, and at the same time also to talk about our policy priorities, our project cycle, and certain internal processes. These can facilitate communications later on with promoters of investment projects for example. The course participants will have the potential to become EIB entry points in their respective administrations, in line with the broader purpose to support economic development and convergence in partner countries through an increased visibility of the EIB and joint business opportunities.

Aron Gereben and Debora Revoltella, European Investment Bank