The European Investment Bank (EIB) and UNICEF announced a new partnership aimed at increasing access to quality education and protecting children from climate change.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by EIB Group President Werner Hoyer and UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the two institutions are committed to jointly investing in quality education and skills training for the most vulnerable children. Community-based climate adaptation initiatives in schools and health facilities will be scaled up by both institutions.
“The social agenda of this European Commission aims for a more certain future for our children and young people. We want to protect them from poverty and make sure they have access to the skills and training they need to navigate the green and digital transitions. Nobody should be left behind. I welcome today’s agreement between the EIB and UNICEF which captures that very same ethos.” Said Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.
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EIB and UNICEF will promote financial innovation such as impact investments which will boost financing for development across private and public actors so as to improve children’s climate resilience and access to health services, safe water and quality education.
“Supporting education, providing decent jobs and tackling climate change is of great importance for young people globally. These are also strategic priorities of the EU Bank”, said EIB Group President Werner Hoyer.
The two institutions will also help vulnerable groups in gaining better access to services around the EIB’s sustainable infrastructure investments, such as those in sanitation, water and hygiene projects. Pilot projects will soon be started in countries across Europe, Central Asia, Southern and Eastern Africa.
He added, “Leveraging the well-known expertise and operational capacity of UNICEF, the EU Bank will contribute to improve inclusive and equitable quality education for children and young people worldwide and promote lifelong learning opportunities”.
“Around 10 million young people reach working age every month and must be equipped with the foundational skills they need to succeed,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “By working with the EIB we can help make sure that children and young people have the digital, business and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s market.”
