Juncker Plan supports food waste management in Romania and cultural entrepreneurs in Sweden

The Juncker Plan continues to support businesses across a diverse range of sectors and locations. The European Investment Bank has signed a €7.5 million loan with food waste management company Winnow Solutions. The company has used Artificial Intelligence technology to develop software and hardware solutions to help staff in professional kitchens track the amounts and types of food they waste. Winnow will use the financing to boost its research and development activities, and support 69 jobs. In Sweden, the European Investment Fund has agreed to guarantee loans from Marginalen Bank of up to SEK 1 million (around €92,300) each to entrepreneurs from the cultural and creative sectors, an area that is often excluded from traditional bank financing. Both of these deals are backed by the Juncker Plan’s European Fund for Strategic Investments. Commenting on the Romanian deal, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said: “Winnow’s objective to help professional kitchens reduce their amounts of food waste is both good for our natural resources, and it makes economic sense. By helping businesses monitor and analyse what they are throwing away each day, using innovative technology, Winnow is empowering them to change their actions. I am proud that this project is being supported by the EU bank and the Juncker Plan.”  Press releases are available here. As of September 2019, the Juncker Plan has mobilised €433.2 billion of additional investment, including €3 billion in Romania and €13.4 billion in Sweden. The Plan is currently supporting 972,000 small and medium businesses across Europe.