EIB and Barcelona Join Forces to Build 640 Energy-Efficient Social Homes

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Barcelona City Council, through the Municipal Institute for Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB), have signed a €113 million financing agreement to construct nine new public social housing developments, delivering around 640 energy-efficient homes across the city by 2030.

The initiative will provide secure, affordable housing for more than 2,000 residents, with 70% of the beneficiaries expected to be women, addressing both Barcelona's housing crisis and gender inequalities in access to safe, dignified housing.

A Strategic Partnership for Affordable and Inclusive Urban Living

The EIB loan, signed during the "Building Change: Boosting Innovation for Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Europe" conference in Barcelona, strengthens the city's long-standing partnership with the Bank to expand and modernize its public housing portfolio.

Through this latest operation, the EIB has now financed nearly 2,308 social housing units for rent via IMHAB — with about 1,700 already completed — reaffirming its role as a key partner in urban regeneration and social inclusion.

"One out of every four euros invested by the EIB in Catalonia this year has been allocated to housing, with a special focus on young people," said Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group. "This demonstrates the real impact of collaboration between institutions and European funding in improving people's lives."

The project also reinforces Barcelona's Pla Viure, the municipal strategic housing plan that seeks to expand public housing, rehabilitate neighborhoods, and guarantee the right to stay in the city.

Sustainable Design, Social Impact, and Gender Equality

Each of the nine new developments will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, featuring renewable energy systems, green materials, and efficient insulation to reduce environmental impact and cut energy costs for residents.

The housing projects will also integrate inclusive design elements—ensuring universal accessibility, safe communal spaces, and gender-sensitive planning that prioritizes women's safety and mobility in public and private spaces.

"Barcelona is a dynamic European city, facing rapidly growing housing needs," said Ioannis Tsakiris, EIB Vice President. "With this project, we ensure that more people—especially women and vulnerable families—gain access to homes that are affordable, safe, and sustainable. This is how we translate Europe's commitment to social inclusion and climate action into tangible improvements in daily life."

Mayor Jaume Collboni echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that collaboration across all levels of government and with European institutions is vital to confront the housing emergency.

"The agreement with the EIB is another step toward accelerating the construction of public housing in Barcelona," Collboni stated. "We need all possible actors to tackle the housing crisis that threatens the social fabric of our city."

Strengthening Europe's Social and Climate Goals

The IMHAB project contributes directly to the EIB Group's Strategic Roadmap for 2024–2027 and its Climate Bank Roadmap (2026–2030), which align with the European Green Deal and EU social inclusion objectives.

These homes will not only reduce carbon emissions and improve living standards but also generate local jobs in construction, green technologies, and urban renewal. The initiative supports the EU's Just Transition principles, ensuring that climate action and social progress advance hand in hand.

"The European Union must equip cities with the tools to address the magnitude of the housing crisis," said Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Housing, Finance, and Tourism. "The EIB's financing is vital to ensure Barcelona can deliver the Pla Viure and strengthen the city's resilience."

Housing TechEU: Innovating for the Future of Urban Living

The announcement coincided with the EIB Group's "Building Change" conference, where the Bank presented its €400 million Housing TechEU initiative — a pioneering fund aimed at fostering innovation in construction and affordable housing.

This initiative supports mid-cap and large companies developing new materials, industrialized building techniques, and digital solutions to make housing more affordable, efficient, and sustainable. It is part of the EIB's Action Plan for Affordable and Sustainable Housing, which aims to mobilize €4 billion in housing investment by 2025 across Europe.

Through this plan, the EIB is scaling up support for innovative housing models, focusing on:

• Sustainable construction and renovation to modernize Europe's aging housing stock.

• Affordable rental schemes to address rising demand in urban centers.

• Digital and modular building technologies that lower construction costs and timeframes.

To make these programs more accessible, the EIB has launched the "More homes. Better homes" online portal, endorsed by the European Commission, to connect municipalities, developers, and communities with funding, advisory, and technical support.

Catalonia at the Forefront of Social and Climate Innovation

Barcelona's partnership with the EIB illustrates how European cities can combine innovation, inclusion, and sustainability to address the continent's housing shortage.

Catalonia has become one of the top beneficiaries of EIB social investments, channeling funds into energy-efficient housing, green infrastructure, and social equity projects.

The latest loan aligns with the city's climate neutrality targets under the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, helping Barcelona strengthen its resilience against climate change while ensuring access to affordable homes for its growing population.

"Through projects like this, we are demonstrating that sustainable housing is not a dream—it is an achievable reality when cities and European institutions work together," said Calviño.

A Model for Europe's Urban Future

The EIB–IMHAB partnership exemplifies how Europe's financial institutions can drive local solutions to global challenges. By combining green finance, urban planning innovation, and social inclusion policies, the initiative serves as a blueprint for other cities tackling the dual crises of housing affordability and climate change.

Looking ahead, the EIB Group aims to expand similar collaborations across the continent to accelerate the construction of affordable, low-carbon housing, ensuring that no one is left behind in Europe's green and social transition.