The European Investment Bank (EIB), backed by the European Commission, has launched ELENA - the European Local Energy Assistance Facility, which is financed through the European Commissions Intelligent Energy Europe programme.

ELENA support covers a share of the cost for technical support that is necessary to prepare, implement and finance investment programmes at the local level; it is therefore meant as a stepping stone for cities' and regions' sustainable energy projects to become EIB funded. The support can cover feasibility and market studies, structuring of programmes, business plans, energy audits and preparation for tendering procedures.

For further information or to apply for to the ELENA programme please see the EIB's webpage on ELENA: http://www.eib.org/products/technical_assistance/elena/index.htm