WYG has secured a new contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the implementation of infrastructure investment projects
The flagship multi-region programme is entitled ‘Economic Resilience Initiative – Infrastructure Technical Assistance’ (ERI-ITA).
WYG will lead an international consortium to support the identification, preparation, and implementation of infrastructure investment projects in the environment – predominantly water and sanitation – energy, transport, social infrastructure, urban development, and digital economy sectors.
Support will be provided in over ten countries across the Maghreb, Mashrek, and Western Balkans regions, operating out of three regional hubs. WYG will provide technical assistance (TA) throughout the project cycle.
ERI-ITA is part of the wider Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI), commissioned by the European Council to rapidly mobilise financing to support economic growth, vital infrastructure, and social cohesion in the partner regions.
The EIB stated in 2018: “The EU’s Southern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans regions face growing challenges that require creative responses. The crisis in Syria and climate change is increasing the pressure to improve resources and infrastructure in these two regions. The demand for water, energy, transport, housing, education and jobs has never been higher.
“It is clear that we need to invest more in vital economic and social infrastructure and in creating opportunities to help young people and women, in particular, build prosperous futures.”
An initial pipeline of nineteen infrastructure investment projects has been identified by EIB; five in the Maghreb region, six in the Mashrek region, and eight in the Western Balkans. The projects in the initial pipeline cover all six target sectors and comprise thirteen types of TA support.
Keith Cook, WYG contract director, said: “This is a tremendous result for WYG, consolidating our position in the Western Balkans and expanding our services into Maghreb and Mashrek, as we interface with communities of public and private stakeholders across both regions.
“Our success is testament to the capability of our delivery teams and comes with an opportunity for project extension and the provision of additional services.
“We know that excellence in project preparation and implementation is key to the sustained value of infrastructure investment and we look forward to contributing to this exciting initiative which is critical to some of the EU’s most significant challenges”.
