This plan is the centrepiece of the European Union’s new efforts to stimulate investment, growth and jobs across the continent. The EU’s executive led by Jean-Claude Juncker, who took over as president of the European Commission less than a month ago, has promised to make reviving Europe’s sluggish economy a priority.

　　Observers though will be watching to see how much of the promised €300bn worth of investment will actually be new money. In fact the EU’s contribution according to officials will be just €20bn to €30bn. The idea: to use that as 'seed money' to entice private backers to put up ten times as much in funds.

　　The EU would bear the initial risks of any projects and it would take the burden off countries to come up with money themselves. But some have suggested the scheme is far too small and needs much more hard cash if it's to make a major difference.

　　Glossary 词汇表

　　· to survey调查，勘测

　　· funded由…资助的

　　· digital storage space数据储存空间

　　· strand一缕(头发)

　　· compiled编辑，汇编

　　· legacy遗产

　　· extinct消亡，灭绝