MEPs reached a political agreement on how EU countries will be able to spend EU regional, cohesion and social EU funds for 2021-2027. Parliament’s and Council’s negotiators agreed that the total resources for economic, social and territorial funds available for 2021-2027 are 330 billion EUR (330 234 776 619 in 2018 prices).
Agreed after two years of negotiations!
Co-rapporteur Andrey Novakov (EPP, BG) said: “Agreed after two years of negotiations! This means that member states now have clarity on programming, implementation and closure of their programmes. Finally, we can plan the budget of over 330 billion EUR. I am glad to see an agreement on Parliament’s initial demands: 85% EU co-financing for less developed regions. There will be thus less pressure on central and municipal budgets in times of recovery.”
- Cutting red tape by simplifying objectives and administrative rules
- Introducing horizontal principles, enhancing synergies among funds
- EU budget expenditure will respect the “do no significant harm” principle
The deal means less developed regions will continue to benefit from substantial EU support. This means that EU will provide co-financing rates up to 85%. The co-financing rate for transition regions and more developed ones has been set to 60% and 40% respectively.
EU Funds
The Common Provisions will apply to the Regional Development Fund, the Social Fund (EFS+), the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Just Transition Fund, and set out financial rules for the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument 2021–2027. The funds covered make up about a third of the EU’s total budget. The allocated cohesion resources for 2021–2027 are around 48 billion EUR lower than the previous seven-year period.
Simplifying and strengthening the Partnership Agreement for EU funds
Partnership agreements by national authorities, for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will be simplified and limited to 35 pages, unless member states wish to go further. Regional, local, urban and other public authorities, economic and social partners, civil society, as well as research bodies, where appropriate, will be key partners to the agreements.
Next Generation EU-billions plan in simple words and budget numbers
Introducing horizontal principles for EU funds
Parliament succeeded in integrating four main overarching principles to adhere to in order to receive EU funding:
- Compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
- Gender equality and mainstreaming
- Fighting discrimination and
- The respect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Co-rapporteur Constanze Krehl (S&D, DE) said: “I am very happy that cohesion policy got sufficient means in the end so all regions can participate and profit from it. It is very important for the regions that we could agree on raising the co-financing rates above what was in the Commission’s proposal. We managed to make cohesion policy fit for the future, especially concerning social and environmental issues. I’m glad that, thanks to the European Parliament, 30% of the budget will be spent on the fight against climate change.”
Sound economic governance
Measures linked to funds being suspended when countries do not comply with EU economic and employment policies guidelines will be time-limited. Suspension procedures may be applied only between 2023 and 2025. Sanctions linked to non-compliance with national economic targets, such as excessive deficit, will not be applicable as long as the general escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact is activated. ESF+ and Interreg funds may not be suspended.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We now need to move forward with finalising the agreement on the next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU by the end of the year. Help is needed for citizens and business badly hit by the coronavirus crisis. Our recovery plan will help us turn the challenge of the pandemic into an opportunity for a recovery led by the green and digital transition”.
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Other key measures
- Mainstreaming climate action. The funds will contribute to achieving an overall target of 30% of the EU budget expenditure supporting climate objectives. It will respect the “do no significant harm” principle of the Green Deal;
- Simplified objectives. There are now five policy objectives (instead of 11 in the previous period): a more competitive and smarter Europe; a greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe; a more connected Europe; a more social and inclusive Europe; a Europe closer to citizens.
- Mid-term review. 50% of the remaining funds can target elsewhere for the last two years of the programming period;
- Audit requirements. Following the EP position, member states which are part of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will benefit from simplified audit procedures;
1st January 2021
Work at technical level will be ready shortly to reflect the results of the agreement. Parliament and Council will then will endorse the content of the agreement. Irrespective of the date on which the regulation enters into force, the allocation of financial resources will apply retroactively as of 1 January 2021.
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