What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

I. Background

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was created to provide additional assistance to workers suffering from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns.

In accordance with point 9 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020, the Commission is required, following the positive assessment of an application, to submit a proposal to mobilise the Fund to the budgetary authority and to complement it with a corresponding request for transfer to the relevant budget lines.

II. Sweden’s application and the Commission's proposal

On 16 June 2025, Sweden submitted an application EGF/2025/003 SE/Northvolt for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 6 486 redundancies at the company Northvolt AB. This is the third such application of 2025, and the fourth to be examined under the 2025 budget.

Following the assessment of this application, the Commission has concluded, in accordance with all applicable provisions of the EGF Regulation, that the conditions for awarding a financial contribution from the EGF are met.

On 28 October 2025, the Commission adopted a proposal for a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF in favour of Sweden for tailored measures to support the reintegration in the labour market of 5 800 targeted beneficiaries, i.e. workers from Northvolt and subcontractors, suppliers and downstream producers made redundant. In total, EUR 8 526 322 will be mobilised from the EGF for Northvolt, representing 60 % of the total costs of the proposed actions.

The Commission deemed the Swedish application admissible under the intervention criteria of Article 4(2) (a) of the EGF Regulation, which requires the cessation of activity of at least 200 displaced workers or self-employed persons over a reference period of four months, in an enterprise in a Member State, including workers displaced in suppliers and downstream.

EGF co-funding has been requested for the following nine types of actions, to be provided to redundant workers:

(a) In-depth assessment and individual planning: This measure is the core of the individual job search assistance. It covers in-depth sessions with an individual coach.

(b) Job-search activities and coaching: Both individual and group measures are offered, and cover coaching for individual contact sessions with potential employers, workshops, or motivational talks. Private service providers procured by the Public Employment Service offer individualised, comprehensive support in assessing a person’s skills, and in finding employment.

(c) Support for starting own business: Trainings offered by an external consultant to those interested in starting their own business.

(d) Start-up investment support: Jobseekers who start their own company will have the opportunity to apply for specific investment support of up to EUR 22 000. This may be used towards initial investments and equipment, business development costs, digital solutions and marketing.

(e) Labour market training: Short, practical vocational training sessions offered by the Public Employment Service which are targeted at jobseekers and aim to match skills in shortage occupations and meet current employment needs in the labour market. This may include the use of micro-credentials for the recognition of the learning acquired.

(f) Training courses within the regular education system: These courses are courses of at least two years, offered by training institutes or the higher education system. These courses would normally not be accessible to jobseekers. Courses can be adapted to individual needs, in particular to those without knowledge of the Swedish language.

(g) Steps to Work: This measure is geared at particularly vulnerable beneficiaries that might need special support to access the labour market or pursue education.

(h) Allowances: An allowance is paid to those doing an internship or preparing to launch their own business. An activity allowance is paid to those actively participating in the training measures offered. A mobility allowance is paid to cover travel and removal expenses if new employment is found in another region. Travel expenses for the participation in out-of-town job interviews can be reimbursed.

(i) Digital and green skills: These measures cater for the dissemination of the skills required in the digital industrial age and in a resource-efficient economy, as required by Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/691. The coordinated measures were designed in line with the skills needs resulting from the digital industrial age and the transition to a more resource-efficient economy. The measures also include the validation of previous experience.

Sweden has provided the required information on actions that are mandatory for the enterprise concerned by virtue of national law or pursuant to collective agreements. They confirmed that a financial contribution from the EGF would not replace such actions.

III. Procedure

In order to mobilise the Fund, the Commission has submitted to the Budgetary Authority a request to transfer a global amount of EUR 8 526 322 from the EGF reserve (budget line 30 04 02; commitment appropriations) to the EGF (budget line 16 02 02; commitment appropriations).

According to an internal agreement within the Parliament, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the Committee on Regional Development should be associated to the process, in order to provide constructive support and contribute to the assessment of the applications from the Fund.