Changes between two versions
What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text
From · plenary report· 8 Dec 2025
on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/691 as regards support to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring
To · adopted text· 28 Apr 2026
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: workers affected by imminent job displacement
These two texts have too little in common to compare paragraph by paragraph: they are different documents rather than versions of one (for example one group’s motion and the joint text that was adopted).
Changes to the text itself, in document order. Cover page, citations and punctuation-only edits are left out; they are under “Every difference”.
The changes · 1
Change 1
Removed:Recital 5 a (new): (5a) The Union faces increasingly unequal competition from third countries due to the fact that they do not comply with the same level of labour rights or safety and environmental regulations. Union enterprises must be supported in their fight against unfair competition and workers must be protected from its negative consequences.
Added:P10_TC1-COD(2025)0073
Removed:Recital 6: (6) The EGF’s role continues to be important as a flexible instrument to support workers who lose their jobs in large-scale restructuring events and to help them to find other suitable jobs as quickly as possible. The Union should continue to provide specific, one-off support to facilitate the reintegration into decent and sustainable employment of displaced workers in areas, sectors, territories or labour markets suffering from a shock caused by serious economic disruption. The Union has to ensure its sustainable prosperity, strategic autonomy and competitiveness while preserving its unique social market economy, supporting workers and enterprises to ensure a just twin transition, preserving jobs in the Union and safeguarding its democracy, economic security and geopolitical standing. To safeguard the Unions future as an economic powerhouse, and progress on its twin digital and green transition, it is vital to support workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring so that they can acquire the skills that would help them transfer into a different role in the same enterprise, or to change job. If a restructuring process affects the direct suppliers and downstream producers of an enterprise, workers employed by them should also be eligible for EGF support, provided that their employer agrees to cover the related costs. Suppliers and downstream producers should demonstrate that there is a causal link between such effects and the initial res…
Added:Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 28 April 2026 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/… of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/691 as regards support for workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring
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Removed:Recital 7: (7) The EGF should be extended to comprise a more preventive approach by financing up-front training and reskilling that enables cross-sectoral labour mobility. It should support workers by developing transferable skills to avoid redundancies and to allow a smooth transition into new employment, preferably in the same region, thereby reducing the social cost of restructuring. Therefore it is necessary to amend Regulation (EU) 2021/691 so that the EGF can also offer assistance to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, as well as their direct suppliers and downstream producers, with particular focus on workers employed by SMEs and disadvantaged groups of workers, such as older workers, persons with disabilities and low-skilled workers. To ensure efficient EGF spending, support should benefit enterprises undergoing restructuring processes that contribute to the twin green and digital transition. As these workers are still in active employment, their employer may request assistance through the relevant Member States’ authorities. Where several enterprises are affected by the same restructuring process, Member States should be able to provide the submission of collective applications. As the EGF is under shared management, it is the Member States’ authorities that can request EGF co-funding upon receipt of a request by one or more enterprises, provided that the enterprises agree to provide the national co-funding. Should the financia…
Added:(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2026/1139.)
Removed:Recital 8 a (new): (8a) Restructuring processes should support an enterprise’s economic sustainability and long-term employment stability, thus strengthening the Unions competitiveness. Therefore, restructuring plans should anticipate and manage change as early as possible to prevent insolvency and job losses, while involving workers’ representatives and trade unions at an early stage. Both the decision by the enterprise to submit an application for EGF support and the design of the coordinated package of personalised measures should be done in consultation with the targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and the social partners as applicable in order to ensure workers’ rights to information and consultation are respected in line with Union and national legislation and to ensure the quality and relevance of the measures.
Removed:Recital 8 b (new): (8b) Applications for financial support involving enterprises undergoing restructuring located in small labour markets, regions with high structural unemployment or involving only SMEs should be able to be considered to be admissible even if not all eligibility criteria are met. In such cases, the reasons for not meeting all criteria should be duly substantiated in the application. In the case of applications involving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, limited administrative capacity should be taken into account.
Removed:Recital 9: (9) The support provided to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring should supplement existing forms of support available under national measures or collective agreements and support the twin digital and green transition by reskilling and upskilling workers and by doing so ensuring quality jobs creation and decent working conditions. Short-time work schemes should not be eligible for EGF support as they do not relate to the displacement of jobs, but to their temporary suspension. If the national measures allow it, the requesting enterprise may subcontract the delivery of the coordinated package of personalised measures, or parts thereof.
Removed:Recital 10: (10) The co-financing rate for such measures targeted to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring should be equal to the co-financing rate for EGF assistance to displaced workers. Enterprises that request EGF support should provide the national co-financing. Suppliers and downstream producers involved in an EGF application should provide the co-financing for their own workers.
Removed:Recital 13: (13) Workers affected by imminent job displacement receiving EGF assistance should remain eligible for continued EGF support even if their work relationship ends. They should also remain eligible for possible follow-up applications by the respective Member States in support of displaced workers from the same enterprise.
Removed:Recital 14 a (new): (14a) Given the uneven uptake of EGF support by Member States, the Commission should raise awareness of the funding opportunities available and promote its usage. Moreover, the Commission should assist Member States through technical guidance and dissemination of good practices.
Removed:Recital 15: deleted
Removed:Recital 16: deleted
Removed:Recital 16 a (new): (16a) Given the scale and frequency of restructuring in recent years, there are concerns that the existing EGF budget will be insufficient to meet increasing needs. Therefore, a minimum of 40% of the annual maximum amount of the EGF should be reserved for applications concerning the cessation of activity of displaced workers or self-employed persons. In addition, any financial contribution to workers affected by imminent job displacement should be capped per application. The discontinuation of the EGF budget under the proposed next multiannual financial framework is regrettable and there is a need to ensure continued support for displaced workers in the next MFF.
Removed:Recital 17 a (new): (17a) This Regulation has implications for the Union budget. Accordingly, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets adopted a budgetary assessment, which forms an integral part of Parliament’s mandate for negotiations.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1, Article 1 – paragraph 2: 2. In accordance with Article 4, the EGF shall offer support to displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of major restructuring events and to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, including their direct suppliers and downstream producers, provided that all national obligations under Directive 98/59/EC, including for information, consultation and standstill, have been fulfilled prior to the submission of the EGF application and the restructuring process contributes to the twin digital and green transition.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 2 – paragraph 1: 1. The EGF shall support socioeconomic transformations that are the result of globalisation and of technological and environmental changes by helping displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased to adapt to structural change. The EGF shall also support workers and self-employed persons at risk of imminent job displacement. The EGF shall constitute an emergency fund. As such, the EGF shall contribute to the implementation of the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, promote sustainable employment and enhance social and economic cohesion among regions and Member States.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 2 – paragraph 2: 2. The objectives of the EGF are to demonstrate solidarity and promote decent and sustainable employment in the Union by offering assistance in the case of major restructuring events, in particular those caused by challenges related to globalisation, such as changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, significant changes in the trade relations of the Union or the composition of the internal market and financial or economic crises, as well as the transition to a low-carbon economy as part of the green and just transition, or as a consequence of digitisation or automation. The EGF shall support beneficiaries in returning to decent and sustainable employment as soon as possible. Particular emphasis shall be placed on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups. The EGF shall also support workers affected by imminent job displacement in acquiring the skills needed to help them transfer into a different role,
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b, Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 6: (6) ‘enterprise undergoing restructuring’ means an enterprise undergoing a process that involves projected collective redundancies and which has notified the competent public authority in writing as referred to in Directive 98/59/EC;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b, Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d: (d) at least 200 workers affected by imminent job displacement in an enterprise undergoing restructuring in a Member State, including affected workers employed by direct suppliers or by downstream producers;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b a (new), Article 4 – paragraph 3: (ba) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: / ‘3. In small labour markets, in particular with regard to applications involving SMEs, where duly substantiated by the applicant Member State, an application for a financial contribution under this Article shall be considered to be admissible even if the criteria laid down in paragraph 2 are not entirely met, provided that the redundancies or projected collective redundancies have a serious impact on employment and the local, regional or national economy. In such cases, the applicant Member State shall specify which of the intervention criteria set out in paragraph 2 are not entirely met.’
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b b (new), Article 4 – paragraph 4: (bb) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: / ‘4. In exceptional circumstances, in particular with regard to applications involving SMEs, paragraph 3 shall also apply to labour markets other than small labour markets. The aggregated amount of financial contributions in such cases shall not exceed 15 % of the annual ceiling of the EGF.’
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c: (c) workers affected by imminent job displacement in an enterprise undergoing restructuring, including their direct suppliers and downstream producers. The workers shall remain eligible even in case of an actual termination of the work relationship. Workers who have received EGF support while still in employment shall not be excluded from receiving further support after the termination of the work relationship. Only those restructuring events shall be eligible that qualify and are notified as collective redundancies under Directive 98/59/EC;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point a, Article 7 – paragraph 1: 1. A financial contribution from the EGF may be made for active labour market policy measures that form part of a coordinated package, designed to facilitate the reintegration of the targeted beneficiaries, in particular the most disadvantaged among them, into employment or self-employment, or to help workers referred to in Article 6, first paragraph, point(c) update or acquire the skills they need to transfer either into a different role with their current employer or to a different employer;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b, Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point c: (c) ‘For the beneficiaries referred to in Article 6, first paragraph, point (c), the coordinated package may include training and retraining, supplementing existing forms of support available under national measures or requirements under collective agreements, tailored to the individual worker’s needs, including on skills required for a resource-efficient and sustainable economy, information and communication technology and other skills required in the digital age, certification of acquired knowledge and skills, individual job-search assistance services and targeted group activities, occupational guidance, advisory services, mentoring, outplacement assistance, entrepreneurship promotion and cooperation activities. It may not include short-time work schemes;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – point b, Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: Where the Commission is unable to meet that deadline, it shall inform the Member State before that deadline explaining the reasons for the delay and setting a new date to complete its assessment. That new date shall be no later than 20 working days after the deadline under the first subparagraph;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 1: 1. Enterprises undergoing restructuring may request the Member State concerned to submit an application for a financial contribution from the EGF, if the intervention criteria set out in Article 4(2), point (d) are met, and if the enterprise wishes to offer EGF-co-financed assistance to those parts of its workforce affected by imminent job displacement, in line with Article 6, first paragraph, point (c). Such a request shall be submitted by the enterprise within four weeks of the date on which it had notified the public authorities in writing of the projected collective redundancies in accordance with Article 3(1) of Directive 98/59/EC.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 2: 2. All Member States shall designate a Single Entry Point to which enterprises can direct requests referred to in paragraph 1. If applicable, this Single Entry Point may be established in such a way as to take national divisions of competence into account. The Commission shall publish relevant guidelines and standardised templates in coordination with the Member States. The information collected from these templates shall cover all the information necessary for a financial contribution application from the EGF as set out in paragraph 10.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 5: 5. If requested by the enterprise or the workers' representatives, the Member State concerned shall provide guidance and support to the enterprise throughout the application procedure taking the size and the administrative capacity of the enterprise into account. In the case of microenterprises and SMEs, their limited administrative capacity shall be taken into account and Member States should provide enhanced technical support for preparation of the application.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 6: 6. If requested by the applicant Member State, the Commission shall provide guidance to the Member State throughout the application procedure, including by providing standardised templates and guidance on State aid rules applicable to the specific restructuring case.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1: Based on the information provided by the applicant Member State, the Commission shall complete its assessment of the application’s compliance with the conditions for providing a financial contribution within 30 working days of the receipt of the complete application or, where applicable, of the translation of the application. That assessment shall evaluate the adequacy of the consultation process referred to in Article 7(4) of this Regulation and of the coordinated package.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 9 – subparagraph 2: Where the Commission is unable to meet that deadline, it shall inform the applicant Member State before that deadline, explaining the reasons for the delay and setting a new date for the completion of its assessment. That new date shall be no later than 20 working days after the deadline under the first subparagraph.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – introductory part: 10. An application shall contain the following information on the basis of a standardised template:
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point a: (a) the identification of the enterprises concerned, including affected direct suppliers and downstream producers, where applicable;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point b: (b) an assessment of the number of workers affected by imminent job displacement including the direct suppliers or downstream producers, in accordance with Article 6, first paragraph, point (c);
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point c a (new): (ca) if applicable, a reasoned analysis provided by direct suppliers or downstream producers detailing the direct and causal link to the restructuring process, including the extent to which they are impacted;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point d: (d) a confirmation that the enterprise has complied and continues to comply with its legal obligations in particular as regards Article 2 of Directive 98/59/EC and any collective agreements governing those projected redundancies and is providing for its workers accordingly;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point d a (new): (da) a description of the procedures followed by the enterprise for consulting the targeted beneficiaries and their representatives regarding the design of the coordinated package as well as local and regional authorities or other relevant stakeholders as applicable;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 8a – paragraph 10 – point d b (new): (db) an explanation of the extent to which the recommendations set out in the EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring have been taken into account and where applicable how the coordinated package complements actions funded by other Union or national funds;
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new), Article 11 – paragraph 4: (10a) in Article 11, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: / ‘4. The Commission’s technical assistance shall include the provision of information and guidance to the Member States on using, monitoring and evaluating the EGF as well as dedicated outreach to Member States who historically have no or low uptake of the EGF. The Commission shall also provide information along with clear guidance to the social partners at Union and national level on the use of the EGF. Guidance measures may also include the creation of taskforces in cases of severe economic disruptions in a Member State.’
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b, Article 13 – paragraph 2a: 2a. The co-financing rate for expenditure incurred by the Member State for beneficiaries referred to in Article 6, first paragraph, point (c) and relating to measures set out in Article 7, shall be 100%.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point c, Article 13 – paragraph 3: 3. Where, on the basis of the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 8 or Article 8a, the Commission concludes that the conditions for a financial contribution under this Regulation are met, it shall immediately initiate the procedure as set out in Article 15.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point c a (new), Article 13 – paragraph 4 a (new): (ca) the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘4a. A minimum of 40% of the annual maximum amount of the EGF shall be reserved for applications concerning the cessation of activity of displaced workers or self-employed persons as set out in Article 4(2), points (a), (b) and (c). Any portion of this amount not used or reserved by 1 October of each year can also be used for applications concerning workers affected by imminent job displacement as set out in Article 4(2) point (d). Any financial contribution to workers affected by imminent job displacement as set out in Article 4(2) point (d) shall not exceed EUR 4 000 000 per application for any financing year.’
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13, Article 15: (13) in Article 15, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: / ‘3. The Commission proposal for a decision to mobilise the EGF shall include the assessment carried out in accordance with Article 8(6) or Article 8(a) (9), together with a summary of the information on which that assessment is based and the reasons justifying the amounts proposed in accordance with Article 13(1).’ / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14, Article 16: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16, Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new): The enterprise, with the assistance of the Member State where necessary, shall also provide the following information: / (a) the percentage of EGF beneficiaries who remain employed within the enterprise and an outline of the changes to their role six months after the end of the implementation period; / (b) the percentage of EGF beneficiaries who are no longer employed by the enterprise and percentage of those who have taken up new employment or self-employment six months after the end of the implementation period’; / (c) the percentage of EGF beneficiaries who gained a qualification by six months after the end of the implementation period.
Removed:Regulation (EU) 2021/691
Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17, Article 22 – paragraph 4: 4. A beneficiary survey shall be launched during the sixth month after the end of each implementation period. The beneficiary survey shall be open to participation for at least four weeks. Member States shall distribute the beneficiary survey to the beneficiaries, send out at least one reminder and inform the Commission of the distribution and reminder sent. In cases involving assistance implemented by an enterprise to beneficiaries under Article 6, first paragraph, point (c), that enterprise is responsible for distributing the survey prepared by the Commission among the workers and workers' representatives that have participated in the measures, sending out at least one reminder and informing the Member State of the distribution and reminder sent. The responses to the beneficiary surveys shall be collated and analysed by the Commission for the use in future evaluations. The resulting analysis shall be submitted to the European Parliament and the Member States and may be used to improve re-skilling and reintegration programmes at Union and national level.
Removed:Currently, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) is an emergency fund to be used to support displaced workers who have lost their job due to structural economic transformations. This support enables the most vulnerable workers who lose their job in large scale restructuring events to find new employment as soon as possible. However, the change in production models related to the twin digital and green transition can further increase the amount of restructuring processes. This increases pressure on companies who already need to invest in these transitions. At the same time, international trade developments put further pressure on our European companies, who might have to change operational organisation because of it.
Removed:For these reasons and to protect both the strategic independence of the European Union and European jobs, enterprise closures and redundancies should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, proactive, specific and targeted support for workers in companies undergoing restructuring should also be possible under the EGF. This support should enable workers to find new employment in the same company but in a new function, or to find employment in another company. Keeping skilled workers can also support companies undergoing restructuring to continue their European activities.
Removed:Given the importance of aligning the EGF support to the Union’s broader strategic goals, this Regulation needs to make sure the available EGF support goes to companies whose restructuring process strengthens the twin digital and green transition and that support goes to the workers affected by imminent job displacement. This will increase the Fund’s role in driving sustainable innovation and skills development. This safeguards the use of public funds and ensures the EGF becomes a tool not only of mitigation but also of transformation.
Removed:One of the most significant additions introduces eligibility for workers in direct suppliers and downstream users of enterprises undergoing restructuring, as they are also covered in current EGF support. This reflects the complex interdependencies within modern value chains and acknowledges that the ripple effects of restructuring often extend beyond the core enterprise. To maintain accountability and ensure targeted intervention, the additions require proof of a demonstrated causal link between these workers and the primary restructuring event.
Removed:To ensure the targeted packages are specifically designed for the workers affected by imminent job displacement, the early and meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives is paramount. Therefore, applicable national legislation on social dialogue should always be respected during the entire process. The amendments promote transparency and fairness during restructuring and safeguard workers’ rights to participate in decisions that affect their futures. The draft also proposes an enhanced role for social partners in designing the coordinated support packages, ensuring that training and upskilling measures are tailored, effective, and relevant to regional labour markets
Removed:To reduce administrative burden for both Member States and companies, the additions also propose the use of standardized templates, centralized guidance and increased clarity on State aid rules.
Removed:In summary, these additions respond to both the evolving nature of job displacement and the Union’s strategic priorities. They aim to make the EGF more inclusive, future-oriented, and integrated with EU social and industrial policy, ensuring it remains a vital mechanism for supporting workers in transition.
Removed:BUDGETARY ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS
Removed:for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Removed:on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/691 as regards support to workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring
Removed:Rapporteur for budgetary assessment: Johan Van Overtveldt
Removed:The Committee on Budgets has carried out a budgetary assessment of the proposal under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure and has reached the following conclusions:
Removed:The Committee on Budgets,
Removed:A. whereas the proposal aims to broaden the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to also allow for support to workers affected by imminent job displacement;
Removed:B. whereas the proposal does not modify existing budgetary commitments and remains within the limits of the overall allocations for the period 2021-2027 and is therefore budget-neutral; whereas the Commission has not proposed a dedicated successor fund for the period 2028-2034;
Removed:C. whereas the proposal includes changes to the EGF mobilisation procedure that put an end to the regular involvement of the budgetary authority and therefore severely undermine its oversight role;
Removed:Conclusions of the budgetary assessment
Removed:1. Determines that the proposal is compatible with the MFF Regulation; notes that the proposed enlargement of the scope of support will be covered within the maximum amount set for this special instrument;
Removed:2. Recalls, however, that in the recent mid-term review of the MFF, the maximum amount available annually for the EGF had been substantially reduced from EUR 186 million to EUR 30 million; considers that the proposed broadening of the intervention criteria now carries a significant risk of exhausting this amount in a given year, potentially leading to a backlog of financing decisions; notes that the average take-up rate was only 63 % between 2021 and 2024; recalls that the total annual amount had not been used so far and therefore it was substantially reduced in the recent mid-term review of the MFF;
Removed:3. Notes that the proposed tripling of the maximum amount for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission implies a further limitation of funds available for active labour market measures, while acknowledging that the amounts available for technical assistance were drastically reduced as a result of the reduction of the overall envelope in the mid-term review of the MFF; stresses that, rather than expanding administrative resources, focus should be put on simplifying and shortening the internal processes so as to reduce the burden on final beneficiaries and accelerate the delivery of support;
Removed:4. Notes that the proposal requires additional human resources of EUR 1 431 000 per year in 2025, 2026 and 2027, for six establishment plan posts and three external staff; notes that the additional needs will be covered by redeployment within the DG or other Commission services;
Removed:5. Notes additionally that, while the change to the mobilisation procedure could reduce the time between the application for assistance from the EGF and the financing decision by the Commission, the eligibility period for co-financed measures would at the same time become shorter in absolute terms; considers that the current six-week deadline for a decision by the budgetary authority is not detrimental to the swift provision of support; notes that, under Article 8(6) of Regulation (EU) 2021/691, the Commission has 50 working days from receipt of the complete application from the Member State to complete its analysis; highlights the fact that, in practice, the Commission frequently requires more than the 50 working days and that it should give priority to simplifying and shortening its internal processes when assessing and deciding on applications under this regulation; opposes any simplification that comes at the expense of institutional balance, in particular of the rights of Parliament as budgetary authority;
Removed:6. Determines that the proposal is compatible with the letter of the IIA; notes, however, that the aims of the IIA include the improvement of interinstitutional cooperation on budgetary matters; considers that the proposed drastic simplification of the mobilisation procedure runs counter to that goal and would change the nature of the EGF as a stand-alone thematic special instrument that is implemented with the close involvement of the budgetary authority;
Removed:7. Considers that the proposal is compatible with the budgetary principles laid down in the Financial Regulation; notes, nevertheless, a degree of contradiction, in terms of sound financial management, between the recent decrease of the maximum annual amount available for the EGF and the proposed broadening of the EGF’s scope;
Removed:Recommendations
Removed:8. Rejects the proposed change to the mobilisation procedure, and in particular the introduction of a single request for mobilisation of the maximum annual amount based on estimates by Member States for the support needed until the end of the year; proposes maintaining the practice of case-by-case mobilisation of the EGF on the basis of an assessment of the material conditions for support; stresses that Parliament’s role as budgetary authority must be fully preserved; stresses, furthermore, that any changes to the mobilisation procedure must ensure that Parliament retains its oversight and decision-making powers;
Removed:9. Considers that the additional reporting requirements related to the estimate of assistance needed in the following year constitute an unnecessary additional administrative burden for the Member States, with limited usefulness in terms of reliable evidence-based decision-making;
Removed:10. Requests that the Commission take the appropriate coordination measures to ensure that assistance to workers threatened by restructuring events is provided from the most appropriate support instrument, depending on the specific circumstances and the national or regional programme architecture, and to avoid any risk of duplication and overlap, in particular between the EGF and the European Social Fund Plus, and to ensure that the additional nature of the support from the EGF is not undermined in these cases either; regrets that the EGF remains administratively burdensome, which has discouraged some Member States from using it altogether; underlines, in this regard, the Commission’s own mid-term evaluation, which found that 16 Member States consider the EU-level procedure lengthy and complex, and stresses the importance of addressing this, given that in some cases this constitutes the only barrier to applying for EGF support.