Evaluation of the EIB support to the Water Sector of outside EU countries

The European Investment Bank is the EU’s financial extension and provides funding for projects in support of EU policy goals. Water and sanitation have been EIB’s fourth largest sector of engagement outside of EU in the period from 2010 and 2021. This year a team led by PEM-partner Eric Buhl-Nielsen evaluated the EIB support to the water and sanitation sector outside EU countries. The evaluation assessed to what extent EIB support to the water sector created results with a specific focus on whether it contributed to environmental sustainability, development outcomes and climate action. Out of close to 100 projects under evaluation, 8 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ecuador, Egypt, Jordan, Malawi and Zambia) were selected as samples for an in-depth exploration. PEM-Consultant Astrid Høegh Jensen visited Jordan. The team conducted interviews with various stakeholders and visited different sites, including the Wadi Al Arab water system project financed by EIB (see picture). The project responded to a pressing need in the Northern Governorates, which suffer from a significant water deficit, with added pressure from the influx of Syrian refugees. The evaluation is almost finalized and is currently being internally approved in EIB.