opinion parliamentary committee, 10 June 2026
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509
Document CULT-AD-785325 · (COM(2025)0565 – C100179/2025 – 2025/0240(COD))
Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva
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Text 242 paragraphs
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Culture and Education submits the following to the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Regional Development and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, as the committees responsible:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (4) Article 162 TFEU highlights the objectives to be pursued to improve employment opportunities for workers in the internal market and to contribute to raising the standard of living. | (4) Article 162 TFEU highlights the objectives to be pursued to improve employment and training, especially via VET opportunities, for workers in the internal market and to contribute to raising the standard of living. |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (6) Articles 9, 19 and 153 TFEU provide for a comprehensive framework on social inclusion, including combatting poverty and discrimination, as core objective of the Union. This aims at ensuring that all citizens have the opportunities and resources to fully participate in economic, social, and cultural life. This includes access to the labour market, equal access to facilities, services, and benefits, promoting a standard of living and well-being in line with the EU values. | (6) Articles 9, 19 and 153 TFEU provide for a comprehensive framework on social inclusion, including combatting poverty and discrimination, as core objective of the Union. This aims at ensuring that all citizens have the opportunities and resources to fully participate in economic, social and cultural life. This includes effective and equal access to the labour market, to facilities, services, benefits, and to cultural, sport and educational infrastructure at local and regional level, in addition to fostering a high level of education and training and thereby promoting a standard of living and well-being in line with the EU values. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
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Recital 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (7) The Union needs to achieve its objectives within a challenging economic, social and demographic context including persisting regional and territorial disparities, the impacts of climate change and challenges related to food security and nature protection, insufficient and uneven progress on the Union’s digital transformation, undermining efforts to strengthen the Union’s digital sovereignty as well as significant economic and social consequences. That is coupled with a challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic context that has an impact on the Union’s defence, security (including economic security) and migration policies. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a more focused, simple and impactful Union budget, to ensure the Union added value and clear alignment between Union financial support and Union policy priorities across all policy areas and management modes and to [continue efforts to] simplify rules on Union financial support. | (7) The Union needs to achieve its objectives within a challenging economic, social and demographic context including persisting regional and territorial disparities, the impacts of climate change and challenges related to food security and nature protection, insufficient and uneven progress on the Union’s digital transformation, undermining efforts to strengthen the Union’s digital sovereignty as well as significant economic and social consequences. That is coupled with a challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic context that has an impact on the Union’s defence, security (including economic security) and migration policies. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a more focused, simple, and impactful Union budget, to ensure the Union added value, and clear alignment between Union financial support and Union policy priorities across all policy areas and management modes, and to [continue efforts to] simplify rules on Union financial support, in order to ensure better coordination between sectoral programmes, avoid duplication of funding instruments and ensure that public resources are used efficiently. |
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (10) It is in this context key to continue efforts to simplify rules and improve current delivery models to maximise the effectiveness and responsiveness of Union spending and bring about simplification to Member States, regional and local authorities and beneficiaries. The funds allocated to Member States should therefore incorporate a stronger focus on results, simplification and maximising public investment with high Union added value, including using public procurement strategically to promote key policy objectives, and leveraging private capital. Accordingly, the Union should set the objectives and types of interventions while greater responsibility and accountability for meeting those objectives should be borne by the Member States. As a consequence, there is a need to ensure greater subsidiarity and flexibility in order to take better account of the local and regional conditions and needs. | (10) It is in this context key to continue efforts to simplify rules and improve current delivery models to maximise the effectiveness and responsiveness of Union spending and bring about simplification to Member States, regional and local authorities and beneficiaries. The funds allocated to Member States should therefore incorporate a stronger focus on results, while not discriminating long term projects, simplification, and maximising the impact of public investment with high Union added value, including using public procurement strategically to promote key policy objectives, leveraging private capital. The Union’s action should also be based on the principles of consistency and complementarity. In particular, this Regulation should ensure complementarity with and between other funding instruments, for instance the European Social Fund, Erasmus+, the Horizon Europe Programme, the AgoraEU, the European Competitiveness Fund and the cohesion funds, as well as contribute to developing synergies with the relevant policy areas. In order to reach the objective of simplification and maximising the impact of public investment it is necessary to foster and monitor the synergies between the Union’s funding instruments. Accordingly, the Union should set the objectives and types of interventions while greater responsibility and accountability for meeting those objectives should be borne by the Member States. As a consequence, there is a need to ensure greater subsidiarity and flexibility in order to reflect and take better account of the local and regional conditions and reduce barriers to access for beneficiaries. |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (11) In accordance with Article 177 TFEU, the European Parliament and the Council are to by means of regulations, define tasks, priority, objectives and the organisation of the Structural Funds, which may involve grouping the Funds. To develop a more coordinated, harmonised and effective implementation of Union Funds, this Regulation should provide for the grouping of nationally pre-allocated funds under the European Fund for Economic, Territorial, Social, Rural and Maritime Sustainable Prosperity and Security (‘the Fund’). The Fund should be implemented through National and Regional Partnership Plans (the ‘NRP Plans’) and the Union Facility (‘the Facility’), which aims at increasing flexibility and catering for unforeseen crises and to finance interventions complementing and reinforcing the Plans that require Union-level steer or coordination, as well as evidence-based policy support and additionality to mobilisation of private investment. | (11) In accordance with Article 177 TFEU, the European Parliament and the Council are to by means of regulations, define tasks, priority, objectives and the organisation of the Structural Funds, which may involve grouping the Funds. To develop a more coordinated, harmonised and effective implementation of Union Funds, this Regulation should provide for the grouping of nationally pre-allocated funds under the European Fund for Economic, Territorial, Social, Rural and Maritime Sustainable Prosperity and Security (‘the Fund’). The Fund should be implemented through National and Regional Partnership Plans (the ‘NRP Plans’) and the Union Facility (‘the Facility’). The implementation of the Fund should ensure stable and predictable financing while at the same time providing adequate flexibility and catering for unforeseen crises and to finance interventions complementing and reinforcing the Plans that require Union-level steer or coordination, as well as evidence-based policy support and additionality to mobilisation of private investment. |
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (13) With the aim of ensuring a more efficient use of Union funding, the Fund should address the outlined challenges in a holistic, coordinated and consistent manner, reflecting the different national and regional needs of each Member State while ensuring support for all relevant Union priorities and value for money. Furthermore, the Fund should contribute to a streamlined and well-coordinated framework while relying on a strong multi-level governance and partnership. It should provide a basis to ensure a more efficient and flexible allocation of funding across different policy areas while allowing Member States to address new policy priorities and reallocate resources to respond to unforeseen challenges and crises. | (13) With the aim of ensuring a more efficient use of Union funding, the Fund should address the outlined challenges in a holistic, coordinated and consistent manner, reflecting the different national and regional needs of each Member State while ensuring support for all relevant Union priorities, and value for money and long-term impact, in particular for sectors relying on continuity such as education, culture, youth and sport. Furthermore, the Fund should contribute to a streamlined and well-coordinated framework while relying on a strong multi-level governance and partnership. It should provide a basis to ensure a more efficient and flexible allocation of funding across different policy areas while allowing Member States to address new policy priorities and reallocate resources to respond to unforeseen challenges and crises. |
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (15) The Union’s sustainable prosperity should be supported by strengthening its industrial base and fostering the attractiveness of territories to support the right to stay, including via strategies for the integrated development of urban, rural and coastal areas and fostering European territorial cooperation. The measures should focus on the completion of the trans-European transport and energy networks, which are key for a genuine Energy Union, and decarbonisation projects, including promoting renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, storage and developing smart energy systems, domestic transmission and distribution grids, while enabling regions, sectors and people to address the impacts of the transition towards the Union’s climate target. The trans-European transport networks have to be completed by 2030 for the core network and by 2040 for the extended core network to support the green and digital transition of transport and mobility. They should also aim to promote innovative economic transformation, help achieve the 3% of GDP Research and Development target and the development and use of advanced technologies , the uptake of advanced digital solutions, including AI, secure and trusted ICT connectivity, while bridging the innovation and digital divides. The measures should help implement the recommendations issues under Article 6 of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 and support digital transformation. They should also contribute to strengthening the resilience of the healthcare systems and long-term care services, support affordable housing. Measures should also support a competitive and sustainable tourism sector in the EU, aiming at balanced tourism, managing tourist flows and fostering Europe as the first tourist destination in the world. | (15) The Union’s sustainable prosperity should be supported by strengthening its industrial base and fostering the attractiveness of territories to support the right to stay, including via strategies for the integrated development of urban, rural and coastal areas and fostering European territorial cooperation. The measures should focus on the completion of the trans-European transport and energy networks, which are key for a genuine Energy Union, and decarbonisation projects, including promoting renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, storage and developing smart energy systems, domestic transmission and distribution grids, while enabling regions, sectors and people to address the impacts of the transition towards the Union’s climate target. The trans-European transport networks have to be completed by 2030 for the core network and by 2040 for the extended core network to support the green and digital transition of transport and mobility. They should also aim to promote innovative economic transformation, help achieve the 3% of GDP Research and Development target and the development and use of advanced technologies, the uptake of advanced digital solutions, including AI, secure and trusted ICT connectivity, while bridging the innovation and digital divides. The measures should help implement the recommendations issues under Articles 6 and 10 of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 and support digital transformation. They should also contribute to strengthening the resilience of the healthcare systems and long-term care services, support affordable housing and combat a social housing deficit. Measures should also support a competitive and sustainable tourism sector in the EU, aiming at balanced and responsible tourism, managing tourist flows and fostering Europe as the first tourist destination in the world. |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (17) Measures supporting people and strengthening Union’s societies and the Union’s social model should contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and achieving its headline targets, in accordance with the guidelines for employment referred to in Article 148(4) TFEU, by supporting projects in the policy areas of employment and labour mobility, skills development, education, social inclusion and poverty reduction, and therefore strengthening the Union’s resilience and competitiveness. They should aim to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and quality working condition, social protection and inclusion, in particular focusing on enhancing labour supply, ensuring quality and inclusive education and training, lifelong learning and material support for the most deprived, closing existing gaps, including gender gaps. The measures should support investments in children and young people, marginalised and disadvantaged communities, third country nationals and should ensure equal access to services. They should also contribute to strengthening the resilience of the healthcare systems and long-term care services, support social and affordable housing and focus on achieving a socially fair transition towards climate neutrality, addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. | (17) Measures supporting people and strengthening Union’s societies and the Union’s social model should contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and achieving its headline targets, in accordance with the guidelines for employment referred to in Article 148(4) TFEU, by supporting projects in the policy areas of employment and labour mobility, skills development, including basic skills, education, social inclusion and poverty reduction, and therefore strengthening the Union’s resilience and competitiveness. They should aim to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and quality working conditions, social protection and inclusion, focusing on enhancing labour supply. They should contribute to ensuring quality and inclusive formal education and training, including school and vocational education, lifelong and adult learning as well as upskilling and reskilling opportunities. Particular attention should be paid to lifelong learning and material support for the most vulnerable groups that face additional barriers to access training. Such measures should close the existing and structural gaps, including skills or gender gaps, and remedy the existing geographical imbalances which affect less developed regions, stagnating areas and outermost regions, including through territorially targeted actions addressing rural depopulation and urban exclusion. They should support upskilling and reskilling, which is essential for individuals to keep pace with a rapidly changing labour market. The measures should support investments in children and young people, marginalised and disadvantaged communities, third country nationals and should ensure equal access to services. They should promote the Union’s cultural and linguistic diversity and support targeted actions aimed at fostering social inclusion through culture, sport, education and training. They should also contribute to strengthening the resilience of the healthcare systems and long-term care services, support social and affordable housing and focus on achieving a socially fair transition towards climate neutrality, addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Such measures should include long-term investments, which are essential, in particular for the educational and cultural ecosystems. |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18) Sustainable Union’s quality of life should be supported by ensuring fairer and sufficient income for farmers and their long-term competitiveness and contributing to long-term food security. The general objectives of the Fund should in respect to the CAP be defined at the Union level and implemented by the Member States through their plans. The measures should also improve the attractiveness and living standards in rural areas and fair working conditions and foster generational renewal; improve farmers’ preparedness and ability to cope with crises and risks, enhance the access to knowledge and innovation and accelerate the green and digital transition for a thriving agri-food sector. The measures should support sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of the Union fisheries and of the Union aquaculture sector, boosting the sustainable and competitive blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, enhancing the socio-economic opportunities and the resilience of the local communities and ensuring strong ocean governance in all dimensions, with safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed ocean. They should actively enhance climate action by promoting greenhouse gas emissions reduction, supporting mitigation efforts, and facilitating adaptation to climate change impacts. They should enhance climate action, ecosystem services provision, supporting efficient water management and resilience, strengthening sustainable development, environmental protection, enhancing the conservation and restauration of biodiversity and natural resources, including soil, and improving animal welfare. To recognise the positive climate impacts of farmers and to facilitate their access to voluntary market-based incentives, the Commission and the Member States continue to work on developing carbon removals methodology and estimating greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved by the CAP. | (18) Sustainable Union’s quality of life should be supported by ensuring fairer and sufficient income for farmers and their long-term competitiveness and contributing to long-term food security. The general objectives of the Fund should in respect to the CAP be defined at the Union level and implemented by the Member States through their plans. The measures should also improve the attractiveness and living standards in rural areas, including by tackling the phenomenon of cultural deserts, reducing discrepancies between rural and urban areas, promoting cultural tourism, protecting rural heritage and investing and promoting access to educational, cultural and sport activities and infrastructure, as well as foster fair working conditions and generational renewal; improve farmers’ preparedness and ability to cope with crises and risks, enhance the access to knowledge and innovation and accelerate the green and digital transition for a thriving agri-food sector, including through targeted vocational education, reskilling and training programmes or mobility for young farmers, agricultural workers and rural teachers. The measures should support sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of the Union fisheries and of the Union aquaculture sector, boosting the sustainable and competitive blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, enhancing the socio-economic opportunities and the resilience of the local communities and ensuring strong ocean governance in all dimensions, with safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed ocean. They should actively enhance climate action by promoting greenhouse gas emissions reduction, supporting mitigation efforts, and facilitating adaptation to climate change impacts. They should enhance climate action, ecosystem services provision, supporting efficient water management and resilience, strengthening sustainable development, environmental protection, enhancing the conservation and restauration of biodiversity and natural resources, including soil, and improving animal welfare. To recognise the positive climate impacts of farmers and to facilitate their access to voluntary market-based incentives, the Commission and the Member States continue to work on developing carbon removals methodology and estimating greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved by the CAP. |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (19a) The NRP Plans should promote the role of culture as a public good and contribute to strengthening the Union’s cultural and linguistic diversity as crucial components of the regional development, tourism, innovation and territorial attractiveness. In line with Article 167 TFEU, and while recognising the importance of European cultural and creative ecosystem and their contribution to the Union’s resilience and sustainable growth, the Plans should contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives of the Culture Compass for Europe. In particular, they should aim to bolster access to culture and strengthen cultural infrastructure, in particular at local level, as well as to protect and promote the Union’s natural and cultural heritage. They should also safeguard the artistic freedom and autonomy of cultural institutions. Moreover, in order to optimise their effectiveness, as well as ensure synergies and complementarity with the other funding mechanisms, notably the Agora EU programme, Member States should make full use of complementarities with cohesion funds, the European Social Fund +, as well the European Competitiveness Fund. |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (20) In order to protect, strengthen democracy, rule of law and uphold Union values, support should be dedicated to sustaining and further developing open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies as well as to strengthening justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and effective checks and balances. The measures should also aim to contribute to better governance by enhancing the efficiency of public administration, including judicial authorities, and the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States, regions and local communities. This should enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of supported measures. To ensure that the social dimension of Europe as set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights is duly put forward and that a sufficient amount of resources is targeting those most in need, Member States should allocate resources to fostering social inclusion. Due to the particular need to support children in poverty Member States should also programme resources to address the measures under the Child Guarantee. In light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training, it is necessary that those Member States continue to invest sufficient resources towards measures to promote youth employment, including through the implementation of the Youth Guarantee. Member States should therefore allocate an appropriate amount of resources to this challenge. Member States seriously affected by youth unemployment should allocate resources of the ESF to support youth employability. | (20) In order to protect, strengthen democracy, rule of law and uphold Union values, support should be dedicated to sustaining and further developing open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies, promoting access to reliable information, media literacy and cultural diversity, as well as to strengthening justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and effective checks and balances. The measures should also aim to contribute to better governance by enhancing the efficiency of public administration, including judicial authorities, and the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders in Member States, regions and local communities. This should enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of supported measures. To ensure that the social dimension of Europe as set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights is duly put forward and that a sufficient amount of resources is targeting those most in need, Member States should allocate adequate resources to fostering social inclusion. Due to the particular need to support children in or at risk of poverty Member States should also programme resources to address the measures under the Child Guarantee. In light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training, it is necessary that those Member States continue to invest sufficient resources towards measures to promote youth employment, including through the implementation of the Youth Guarantee. Member States should therefore allocate an appropriate amount of resources to this challenge. In particular, they should foster high quality and future oriented education and training systems, promote basic skills and address the issue of early leavers from education and training. They should also contribute to reducing the shortage of qualified teachers across Member States, regions, cities and remote, mountainous and rural areas by ensuring adequate incentives to increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession. Member States seriously affected by youth unemployment should allocate resources of the ESF to support youth employability. |
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (20a) Free and diverse media are at the core of the fight to maintain a culture of healthy democratic debate and societal engagement. Therefore, the measures should aim to contribute to a pluralistic media market, essential for well-functioning democracy at the local, national and European level. They should strengthen local media, help to combat the phenomenon of news deserts and facilitate the adaptation of the media sector to the digital era. The measures should also aim to encourage cross border cooperation of media outlets as well as support media that operate in minority languages. |
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (24) The principle of partnership is a key feature in the implementation of the NRP Plans, building on the multi-level governance approach and ensuring the involvement of regional, local, urban and other public authorities, civil society organisations, economic and social partners. In order to provide continuity in the organisation of partnership, the European code of conduct on partnership for Partnership Agreements and programmes supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds established by the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/20149 (the ‘European code of conduct on partnership’) should continue to apply to the Plans. | (24) The principle of partnership is a key feature in the implementation of the NRP Plans, building on the multi-level governance approach and ensuring the meaningful involvement, of regional, local, urban and other public authorities, civil society organisations, economic and social partners, including education, youth and cultural organisations, media organisations and bodies active in the field of media freedom and pluralism or media literacy, through the entire development and the implementation cycle of the plans. In order to provide continuity in the organisation of partnership, the European code of conduct on partnership for Partnership Agreements and programmes supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds established by the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/20149 (the ‘European code of conduct on partnership’) should continue to apply to the Plans. |
| 9 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1). | 9 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds (OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2015/1464/oj). |
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (25) The NRP Plans aim to ensure high value for money by making payments from the Commission to Member States conditional upon the achievement of outputs and the fulfilment of conditions agreed, irrespective of the form of reimbursement from Member States to beneficiaries. Linking disbursements with agreed and pre-set milestones, targets and outputs covering the full lifespan of the supported measure will contribute to the regularity of payments to Member States. To facilitate this process, Member States should be able to submit payment applications up to six times a year. To simplify financing and reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries, Member States are encouraged to use the same form of reimbursement applied for payments from the Commission to Member State or standard scales of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates. | (25) The NRP Plans aim to ensure high value for money making payments from the Commission to Member States conditional upon the achievement of outputs and lasting impacts, and the fulfilment of conditions agreed and results achieved, irrespective of the form of reimbursement from Member States to beneficiaries. Linking disbursements with agreed and pre-set milestones, targets and outputs covering the full lifespan of the supported measure will contribute to the regularity of payments to Member States. To facilitate this process, Member States should be able to submit payment applications up to six times a year. To simplify financing and reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries, Member States are encouraged to use the same form of reimbursement applied for payments from the Commission to Member State or standard scales of unit costs, lump sums or flat rates. |
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (27) This Regulation should include strong safeguards to ensure that the Fund is implemented in a way that ensures respect with the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and of the principles of the rule of law as set out in Article 2(a) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council10. Therefore, as part of the validation process of their NRP Plans, Member States should provide assurance on the fulfilment of these two horizontal conditions, with an identification of potential deficiencies and remedial actions based, in particular, on the country-specific challenges identified in the context of the Rule of Law Report and European Semester, as well as infringement proceedings and judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union. All Member States should be required to review their NRP Plans halfway through implementation, as part of the mid-term review, to address any new deficiencies identified, in particular, in the context of the latest Rule of Law Report. At any time during the implementation and following exchanges with the Member State concerned, there should be a possibility to block part or all of the payments made to a Member State if one or more of the Rule of Law and Charter horizontal conditions is not fulfilled. With due regard to the principle of proportionality, the determination of the non-fulfilment and identification of the specific measures concerned should take into account the actual or potential impact of the non-fulfilment on the sound financial management of the Union budget or on the financial interests of the Unions as well as the nature, duration, gravity and scope of the breach. | (27) This Regulation should include strong safeguards to ensure that the Fund is implemented in a way that ensures respect with the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and of the principles of the rule of law as set out in Article 2(a) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council10. Therefore, as part of the validation process of their NRP Plans, Member States should provide assurance on the fulfilment of these two horizontal conditions, with an identification of potential deficiencies and remedial actions based, in particular, on the country-specific challenges identified in the context of the Rule of Law Report and European Semester, as well as infringement proceedings and judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union, or, where relevant, opinions of the EU oversight bodies, for instance the European Board for Media Services, should be also taken into account. All Member States should be required to review their NRP Plans halfway through implementation, as part of the mid-term review, to address any deficiencies, in particular, in the context of the latest Rule of Law Report. At any time during the implementation and following exchanges with the Member State concerned, there should be a possibility to block part or all of the payments made to a Member State if one or more of the Rule of Law and Charter horizontal conditions is not fulfilled. With due regard to the principle of proportionality, the determination of the non-fulfilment and identification of the specific measures concerned, should take into account the actual or potential impact of the non-fulfilment on the sound financial management of the Union budget or on the financial interests of the Unions as well as the nature, duration, gravity and scope of the breach. |
| 10 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2092/oj) | 10 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2092/oj) |
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (29) Each Member State should submit to the Commission a NRP Plan, as a rule, by 31 January 2028 so that it can be given careful and timely consideration. To ensure fast implementation of the Fund, Member States should be able to submit a draft NRP Plan from June 2027. Member States should design and implement the NRP Plans in partnership with local and regional authorities, economic, social and rural partners and civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with the national legal framework and the rules set out in this Regulation. The NRP Plans should be designed in close cooperation with the Commission, prepared in accordance with the template provided and made publicly available following their adoption by the Council on the basis of the Commission’s assessment and proposal for a Council implementing decision. In line with current arrangements, Member States will have the possibility to include regional and territorial chapters in their NRP Plan and should be required to ensure that regional managing authorities receive regular payments, based on the progress of their respective measures, and an amount at least equivalent to their Union contribution by the end of the period, subject to potential corrections resulting from the implementation of their respective chapter(s). To ensure effective governance of the NRP Plan, Member States should set up monitoring committees for the chapters and a coordinating committee at the level of the NRP Plan. | (29) Each Member State should submit to the Commission a NRP Plan, as a rule, by 31 January 2028 so that it can be given careful and timely consideration. To ensure fast implementation of the Fund, Member States should be able to submit a draft NRP Plan from June 2027. Member States should design and implement the NRP Plans in partnership with local and regional authorities, economic, social and rural partners and civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with the national legal framework and the rules set out in this Regulation. In order to make sure that the Plans effectively identify and target specific needs, it is essential that they include the input from a wide range of stakeholders and institutions, including, where relevant, cultural, or educational, youth and media institutions and organisations. The NRP Plans should be designed in close cooperation with the Commission, prepared in accordance with the template provided and made publicly available following their adoption by the Council on the basis of the Commission’s assessment and proposal for a Council implementing decision. In line with current arrangements, Member States will have the possibility to include regional and territorial chapters in their NRP Plan and should be required to ensure that regional and local authorities are fully involved in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the plans, and that they receive regular payments, based on the progress of their respective measures, and an amount at least equivalent to their Union contribution by the end of the period, subject to potential corrections resulting from the implementation of their respective chapter(s). To ensure effective governance of the NRP Plan, Member States should set up monitoring committees for the chapters and a coordinating committee at the level of the NRP Plan. |
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (30) In order to ensure the national ownership, Member States wishing to receive support should submit to the Commission NRP Plans that are duly reasoned and substantiated. The NRP Plans should detail how it represents a comprehensive contribution to all objectives of the Fund, taking into account the specific national, regional and territorial challenges of the Member State concerned. It should also include an explanation of how it contributes to effectively addressing the relevant country-specific challenges identified, inter alia, in the context of the European Semester and other relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission related to the objectives supported by the Fund, and how it contributes to the completion of the internal market, notably by including reforms, investments and other interventions with a cross-border, transnational or multi-country dimension. To strengthen Union competitiveness in strategically important sectors while ensuring that the level playing field is not compromised, the NRP Plans should include cross-border and multi-country projects, in particular Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) focusing on either research, development, innovation or first industrial deployment or on the construction of important infrastructure open for third party use, taking into account, in particular, the analyses provided in the latest Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report. Member States should concentrate resources under their Plans on reducing economic social and territorial disparities, in particular in less developed regions. They should also support generational renewal and social measures and thriving fisheries and aquaculture production. | (30) In order to ensure the national ownership, Member States wishing to receive support should submit to the Commission NRP Plans that are duly reasoned and substantiated. The NRP Plans should detail how it represents a comprehensive contribution to all objectives of the Fund, taking into account the specific national, regional and territorial challenges of the Member State concerned. It should also include an explanation of how it contributes to effectively address the relevant country-specific challenges identified, inter alia, in the context of the European Semester, how to match the social scoreboard indicators, and other relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission related to the objectives supported by the Fund, and how it contributes to the completion of the internal market, notably by introducing reforms, investments and interventions to support other interventions with a cross-border, transnational or multi-country dimension. To strengthen Union competitiveness in strategically important sectors while ensuring that the level playing field is not compromised, the NRP Plans should include cross-border and multi-country projects, in particular Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) focusing on either research, development, innovation or first industrial deployment or on the construction of important infrastructure open for third party use, taking into account, in particular, the analyses provided in the latest Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report. Member States should concentrate resources under their Plans on reducing economic social and territorial disparities, in particular in less developed regions. They should also support generational renewal, and provide support measures for youth and its integration in the labour market, social measures, thriving fisheries and aquaculture production, while promoting sustainable cultural tourism and local heritage as drivers of long-term regional attractiveness and economic diversification. |
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (38) Each Member State should carry out a mid-term review of its NRP Plan. That review should provide a fully-fledged proposed amendment of the NRP Plan based on the progress in implementing measures, the main results of relevant evaluations and a review of the estimated total costs of the measures covered by the NRP Plan, while also providing the opportunity to take into account new challenges as well as the occurrence of any crisis. For the purposes of the mid-term review, the socioeconomic situation of the Member State or region concerned, including any major negative financial, economic or social development should be also taken into account. The amended NRP Plan submitted by the Member State following the mid-term review should include a proposal for the programming of the flexibility amount with revised or new measures together with their estimated costs and corresponding milestones and targets. | (38) Each Member State should carry out a mid-term review of its NRP Plan. That review should provide a fully-fledged proposed amendment of the NRP Plan based on the progress in implementing measures, the main results of relevant evaluations and a review of the estimated total costs of the measures covered by the NRP Plan, while also providing the opportunity to take into account new challenges as well as the occurrence of any crisis. For the purposes of the mid-term review, the socioeconomic situation of the Member State or region concerned, including any major negative financial, economic or social development should be also taken into account. The amended NRP Plan submitted by the Member State following the mid-term review should include a proposal for the programming of the flexibility amount with revised or new measures together with their estimated costs and corresponding milestones and targets. The Commission should report to the European Parliament on the trends detected through the mid-term reviews. |
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (39) An EU Facility should be set-up to complement implementation at national and regional level. The EU Facility should support projects of a transnational dimension, with a high Union added value, which require additional coordination efforts at Union level, as well as evidence-based policy support and which contribute to the objectives set out in this Regulation. It should also help Member States in swiftly addressing urgent and specific needs as a response to a crisis situation, such as a major national or regional natural disaster, and foster repair and recovery in view of increasing resilience following a crisis. It should also cater for uncertainty by providing the Union with additional room for manoeuvre to adjust to emerging priorities at Union level, which require a coordinated response. It should finally provide technical support to Member States to effectively implement the policies covered by this Regulation. In the context of future enlargements, it is essential to ensure that the Union’s legislative and budgetary framework can also effectively accommodate support for the accession of new Member States. In doing so, the Facility should have the possibility to resort to shared, direct or indirect management depending on the type of measure and the most effective course of action. | (39) An EU Facility should be set-up to complement implementation at national and regional level. The EU Facility should support projects of a transnational dimension, with a high Union added value, which require additional coordination efforts at Union level, as well as evidence-based policy support and which contribute to the objectives set out in this Regulation. It should also help Member States in swiftly addressing urgent and specific needs as a response to a crisis situation, such as a major national or regional natural disaster or destruction of cultural or natural heritage, and foster repair and recovery in view of increasing resilience following a crisis. It should also cater for uncertainty by providing the Union with additional room for manoeuvre to adjust to emerging priorities at Union level, which require a coordinated response. It should finally provide technical support to Member States to effectively implement the policies covered by this Regulation. In the context of future enlargements, it is essential to ensure that the Union’s legislative and budgetary framework can also effectively accommodate support for the accession of new Member States. In doing so, the Facility should have the possibility to resort to shared, direct or indirect management depending on the type of measure and the most effective course of action. The Commission should report, on an annual basis, to the European Parliament on the performance of the Facility. Such reporting should focus on the trends detected and synergies of the Facility with other Union funding instruments, in particular the European Social Fund, ERASMUS+, AgoraEU and the European Competitiveness Fund. |
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (40) In case of crises as a result of natural disasters and to ensure availability of resources throughout the duration of the Fund, Union support should be complementary to the efforts of the Member States concerned and be used to cover a share of the measures implemented to deal with the damage caused by a crisis. To finance these interventions and simplify procedures, a part of the natural envelope of each Member State should constitute the flexibility amount (“crisis and mid-term review measures”). This will ensure sufficient financial resources for Member States to react to crises until the end of the implementation of the NRP Plans. The estimation of the type and amount of support to be provided to the Member State concerned should follow a multi-step approach whereby the Member State should first proceed to amending its NRP Plan before requesting to programme a part of its unallocated flexibility amount and, where the flexibility amount requested and available is not sufficient to cover the needs, request additional support from the Union actions. It should be possible for the Commission to use the budget cushion as a last resort option to provide support should other resources under the Facility prove insufficient to cover the needs. | (40) In case of crises as a result of natural disasters and to ensure availability of resources throughout the duration of the Fund, Union support should be complementary to the efforts of the Member States concerned and be used to cover a share of the measures implemented to deal with the damage caused by a crisis. They should also serve as a support mechanism in cases of destruction of the Union's cultural and natural heritage and allow for timely reparatory actions and reduction of damages. To finance these interventions and simplify procedures, a part of the natural envelope of each Member State should constitute the flexibility amount (“crisis and mid-term review measures”). This will ensure sufficient financial resources for Member States to react to crises until the end of the implementation of the NRP Plans. The estimation of the type and amount of support to be provided to the Member State concerned should follow a multi-step approach whereby the Member State should first proceed to amending its NRP Plan, without compromising measures that targeted the most vulnerable, before requesting to programme a part of its unallocated flexibility amount and, where the flexibility amount requested and available is not sufficient to cover the needs, request additional support from the Union actions. It should be possible for the Commission to use the budget cushion as a last resort option to provide support should other resources under the Facility prove insufficient to cover the needs. |
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (44) Income support for farmers should continue to be an essential policy instrument to guarantee a fair income to farmers. It contributes to fostering a competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector pursuing the benefits of high-quality production and resource-efficiency, which ensures generational renewal and thus long-term food security. CAP support should be focused on active farmers defined in compliance with WTO rules. With a view to further improve the performance of the CAP, area-based income support should be targeted towards farmers who exercise agriculture as a principal activity. Income support should be targeted to farmers who need it most with a particular attention to the farmers in areas with natural constraints, women, young farmers and new farmers. At the same time, rural economic development, ensuring infrastructure improvements and digital transformation that eliminate regional disparities, benefits the attractiveness of rural areas, social inclusion and enhanced employment opportunities in rural areas. | (44) Income support for farmers should continue to be an essential policy instrument to guarantee a fair income to farmers. It contributes to fostering a competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector pursuing the benefits of high-quality production and resource-efficiency, which ensures generational renewal and thus long-term food security. CAP support should be focused on active farmers defined in compliance with WTO rules. With a view to further improve the performance of the CAP, area-based income support should be targeted towards farmers who exercise agriculture as a principal activity. Income support should be targeted to farmers who need it most with a particular attention to the farmers in areas with natural constraints, women, young farmers and new farmers. At the same time, rural economic development, ensuring infrastructure improvements, for instance educational, cultural and sport infrastructure, and digital transformation that eliminate regional disparities, benefits the attractiveness of rural areas and rural tourism, including when it comes to access to education and culture, social inclusion and enhanced employment and training opportunities in rural areas. |
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (47) The outermost regions face specific challenges linked to their remoteness, topography and climate as referred to in Article 349 TFEU and also have specific assets, in particular to develop a sustainable blue economy. Therefore, the concerned Member States should include measures to support each outermost region in their NRP plan to provide for their specific needs and challenges such as food security, housing, transport, water and waste management, energy, education and skills, migration, climate change resilience and adaptation, environmental protection, access to healthcare, energy, transport and digital connectivity and economic development, including a sustainable and diversified blue economy. | (47) The outermost regions face specific challenges linked to their remoteness, topography and climate as referred to in Article 349 TFEU and also have specific assets, in particular to develop a sustainable blue economy. Therefore, the concerned Member States should include measures to support each outermost region in their NRP plan to provide for their specific needs and challenges such as food security, housing, transport, water and waste management, energy, education and skills, mobility, migration, climate change resilience and adaptation, environmental protection, access to healthcare, energy, transport and digital connectivity and economic development, including a sustainable and diversified blue economy. Such measures should also focus on cultural and creative sectors of such regions, including the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage, fostering access to culture, enhancing regional tourism, and strengthening of the cultural and sport infrastructure. |
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. With the overall aim of promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, the sustainable development and competitiveness of the Union, its security and its preparedness, the Fund shall support the following general objectives: | 1. With the overall aim of promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion as well as to strengthen European values and promote the Union’s cultural diversity including through strengthening access to education, culture, youth and sport, the sustainable development and competitiveness of the Union, its security and its preparedness, the Fund and its implementation shall support the following general objectives: |
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) to support quality employment, education and skills and social inclusion in accordance with Part Three, Title XI and Title XVIII of Part Three of the TFEU (‘European Social Fund’) and to contribute to a socially fair transition towards climate neutrality in accordance with Article 91(1), point (d), Article 192(1) and Article 194(2) TFEU; | (b) to support quality employment, education, skills and lifelong learning and social inclusion, as well as to strengthen equal access to quality education and culture, in accordance with Part Three, Title XI and Title XVIII of Part Three of the TFEU (‘European Social Fund’) and to contribute to a socially fair transition towards climate neutrality in accordance with Article 91(1), point (d), Article 192(1) and Article 194(2) TFEU; |
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) fostering the attractiveness of territories to support the right to stay including by supporting strategies for the integrated development of urban and rural areas, including support for territorial services and infrastructure; | (i) fostering the attractiveness of territories to support the right to stay including by supporting strategies for the integrated development of urban and rural areas, including support for territorial services and infrastructure including educational, cultural and sport infrastructure and protection of cultural heritage while recognising culture as a key driver of regional development, social cohesion and territorial attractiveness; |
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (iv) supporting the digital transformation towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives set out in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, thereby contributing to the achievement of a digitally sovereign, secure, and inclusive Union, and promoting the development and use of advanced technologies, including AI secure and trusted digital infrastructure and services, basic and advanced digital skills, digital public services, and ICT connectivity, while addressing the digital divide; | (iv) supporting the digital transformation towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives set out in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, thereby contributing to the achievement of a digitally sovereign, secure, and inclusive Union, and promoting the development and use of advanced technologies, including AI secure and trusted digital infrastructure and services, basic and advanced digital skills, including media and AI literacy skills, digital public services, digital learning infrastructure and ICT connectivity, while addressing the digital divide; |
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point viii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (viii) enhancing Union transport infrastructure and contributing to the completion of the trans-European network for transport, in particular on the core and extended core network, while decarbonising and improving connectivity, security and accessibility for remote, peripheral and less connected areas; support the green and digital transition of transport; | (viii) enhancing Union transport infrastructure and contributing to the completion of the trans-European network for transport, in particular on the core and extended core network, while decarbonising and improving connectivity, security and accessibility for remote, peripheral and less connected areas; support the green and digital transition of transport, including improving accessibility to cultural heritage sites, cultural institutions and cultural tourism destinations; |
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ix
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ix) support for tourism, including sustainability; | (ix) support for tourism in particular cultural tourism, heritage routes or historical sites, including sustainability and the promotion of cultural and creative sectors, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises; |
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ix a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ixa) protecting and promoting natural and cultural heritage and supporting the development of cultural and sport infrastructure; |
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ii) enhancing labour supply and improving education and lifelong acquisition of skills, in particular by promoting upskilling and reskilling; | (ii) enhancing labour supply and improving quality education and lifelong acquisition of skills, in particular by promoting basic skills, formal, informal and non-formal learning, including vocational training, upskilling and reskilling and addressing the needs and shortages in the employment market and interests of democratic society; |
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (iii) promoting equal opportunities for all, supporting strong social safety nets, fostering social inclusion and fighting poverty and homelessness, and supporting investment in social infrastructure; | (iii) promoting equal opportunities for all, accessibility, supporting strong social safety nets, fostering social inclusion and eradicating poverty and homelessness, and supporting investment in social infrastructure, including educational, cultural and sport infrastructure, especially in rural, remote and mountainous areas; |
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (iii) improving the attractiveness and living standards, including access to healthcare, in rural areas and fair working conditions and fostering generational renewal; improving farmers’ preparedness and ability to cope with crises and risks; enhancing the access to knowledge and innovation and accelerating the digital and green transition for a thriving agri-food sector; | (iii) improving the attractiveness and living standards, including access to quality healthcare, education, culture and media, in rural and remote areas and fair working conditions and fostering generational renewal; improving farmers’ preparedness and ability to cope with crises and risks; enhancing the access to knowledge and innovation, including through adult education, lifelong learning, vocational training, re-skilling and upskilling, youth support and mobility measures, and accelerating the digital and green transition for a thriving agri-food sector; |
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) sustaining and further developing open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies, including by building civil society and social partners’ capacities to uphold Union values, citizenship education and youth participation; | (i) sustaining and further developing open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies, including by building civil society and social partners’ capacities to uphold Union values, culture, citizenship education, media literacy, youth participation and supporting projects that foster societal and democratic engagement, depolarisation, and dialogue in EU society; |
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ii) promoting and upholding the rule of law through strengthening justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism, information integrity, media literacy, and effective checks and balances; | (ii) promoting and upholding the rule of law through strengthening justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks and effective checks and balances as well as media freedom and pluralism, protection of journalists, information integrity and the fight against disinformation, and media and digital literacy; |
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iv
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (iv) promoting culture as a catalyst for European values and supporting a vibrant and diverse cultural sector. | (iv) promoting the Union’s cultural and linguistic diversity, including by strengthening access to culture in particular at the regional and local level and protecting and promoting Europe’s cultural heritage and traditions as well as vibrant, diverse, inclusive and competitive cultural and creative sectors. |
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 3a. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament on the management actions envisaged under paragraphs 1 to 3 as well as on the trends detected and the synergies with other funding instruments, notably instruments supporting education, youth, culture and media, in order to ensure coordination, complementarity of interventions and to avoid overlapping funding; |
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) relevant bodies representing civil society, such as environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, youth organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination, national human rights institutions and organisations; | (c) relevant bodies representing civil society, such as environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, youth organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, poverty eradication, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination, support for minorities, national human rights institutions and education, culture and sport organisations; |
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ca) cultural institutions, educational institutions and universities, sport institutions, and bodies representing educators and learners; |
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The partnership established in accordance with paragraph 1 shall operate in accordance with the multi-level governance principle and a bottom-up approach. The Member State shall involve partners referred to in each subparagraph of paragraph 1 in the preparation of the Plan and throughout the preparation, implementation and evaluation of chapters, including through participation in monitoring committees in accordance with Article 55. | 2. The partnership established in accordance with paragraph 1 shall operate in accordance with the multi-level governance principle and a bottom-up approach, taking into account relevant European codes of conduct. The Member State shall substantively involve partners referred to in each subparagraph of paragraph 1 in the preparation of the Plan and throughout the preparation, implementation and evaluation of chapters, including, if appropriate in their mid-term review through the composition of and participation in monitoring committees in accordance with Article 55. |
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 6. At least once a year, the Commission shall consult organisations which represent partners at Union level on the implementation of the Plans. | 6. At least once a year, the Commission shall consult organisations which represent partners at Union level on the implementation of the Plans, including on their role and involvement in the preparation of the Plans. The Commission shall report on the outcome of such consultation to the European Parliament. |
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the Plans. In particular, accessibility for persons with disabilities shall be taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of the Plans. | 2. The Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the Plans. In particular, accessibility for persons with disabilities shall be taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of the Plans. When requested, the Member States shall report on such steps to the Commission. The Commission shall keep the European Parliament duly informed. |
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 8 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 8a. The European Parliament may signal to the Commission cases when it considers that a Member State does not fulfil or no longer fulfils the rule of law horizontal condition. The Commission shall examine such cases and take relevant actions envisaged in this Article without undue delay. The Commission shall keep the European Parliament duly informed about its examination of such cases and the actions taken. |
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. At least 14 % of the financial envelope referred to in paragraph 2 and of the amount referred to in paragraph 4 shall be dedicated to meeting the Union’s social objectives, calculated by using the coefficients referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) [Performance Regulation]. The amount set out in paragraph 2, point (a) letter (ii), as well as the external assigned revenue from the Social Climate Fund, shall be excluded from the basis for the calculation of this minimum allocation. | 5. At least 14 % of the financial envelope referred to in paragraph 2 and of the amount referred to in paragraph 4 shall be dedicated to meeting the Union’s social objectives, calculated by using the coefficients referred to in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) [Performance Regulation]. The amount set out in paragraph 2, point (a) letter (ii), as well as the external assigned revenue from the Social Climate Fund, shall be excluded from the basis for the calculation of this minimum allocation. Within those 14 %, at least 2 % shall be allocated for achieving the specific objectives related to culture as set out Article 3, including in view of increasing regional attractiveness and reducing gaps between regions. |
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Each Member State shall prepare and implement the Plan in partnership with partners as set out in Article 6 [Partnership], including regional and local authorities, and in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework. The Plan shall include national, sectoral and, where relevant, regional and territorial chapters. | 2. Each Member State shall prepare and implement the Plan in partnership with partners as set out in Article 6 [Partnership], including regional and local authorities, representatives of civil society or relevant sectors, and in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework. The Plan shall include national, sectoral and, where relevant, regional and territorial chapters and shall ensure a balanced approach between short-term measures and long-term structural investments, providing for predictable and sustainable funding frameworks, in particular in sectors requiring continuity of support and taking into account the situation of regional or local authorities with limited fiscal capacity. The Plan shall include a report on the involvement of the partners in its preparation. |
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) support the general objectives laid down in Article 2 and contribute in a comprehensive and adequate manner to all the specific objectives laid down in Article 3, taking into account the specific challenges of the Member State concerned, and provide an intervention strategy demonstrating how those objectives will be addressed and financed by the Plan, what level of financing is needed to ensure achievement of the general objectives, and how that level of financing is justified. The NRP Plan of Member State with a per capita GNI of less than 90 % of the Union average shall in particular demonstrate that it contributes in an adequate manner to the specific objectives set out in Article 3(a), points (vii) and (ix), and Article 3(d), point (v). | (a) support the general objectives laid down in Article 2 and contribute in a comprehensive, adequate and long-term manner to all the specific objectives laid down in Article 3, taking into account the specific needs and challenges of the Member State concerned, and provide an intervention strategy demonstrating how those objectives will be addressed and financed by the Plan, what level of financing is needed to ensure achievement of the general objectives, and how that level of financing is justified, avoiding excessive fragmentation in order to maximise impact and effectiveness. Where relevant, it shall also include an estimation of how the plan would contribute to social inclusion, including through support for culture and education as a means to promote societal cohesion, democratic resilience, engagement and inclusion. The NRP Plan of Member State with a per capita GNI of less than 90 % of the Union average shall in particular demonstrate that it contributes in an adequate manner to the specific objectives set out in Article 3(a), points (vii) and (ix), and Article 3(d), point (v). |
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point b – point iii a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (iiia) in relevant documents and strategies adopted at the Union’s level related to education, skills and life-long learning, including the Union of Skills and the Council Recommendation on human capital in the EU, the Council Resolution on the European Education Area and the Council Recommendation ‘Europe on the Move’ or cultural and linguistic diversity or cultural heritage, including the Culture Compass for Europe and the Joint Declaration "Europe for Culture - Culture for Europe". |
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point g
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (g) the need to ensure continuous compliance of the Rule of Law and the Charter horizontal conditions in the implementation of the Plan, taking into consideration in particular the country-specific challenges identified in the context of the Rule of Law Report and the European Semester. | (g) the need to ensure continuous compliance of the Rule of Law and the Charter horizontal conditions in the implementation of the Plan, taking into consideration in particular the country-specific challenges identified in the context of the Rule of Law Report and the European Semester or other relevant documents adopted at Union level. |
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4a. The Commission shall report to the European Parliament on the outcome and trends identified through the mid-term reviews. |
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 11 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 11a. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament on the performance of the Facility. The European Parliament may request the Commission to report on the specific activities of the Facility. |
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Member States may request to amend the NRP Plans in accordance with Article 24 [Amendment of the plan] to provide support to measures of a similar nature to those referred to in paragraph 1 point (i) of Annex XV [natural disasters], as well as to provide crisis payments to farmers that are affected by natural disasters and supporting investments in the restoration of agricultural potential, provided that they were recognised as such by a competent public authority of the Member State. | Member States may request to amend the NRP Plans in accordance with Article 24 [Amendment of the plan] to provide support to measures of a similar nature to those referred to in paragraph 1 point (i) of Annex XV [natural disasters or destruction of cultural or natural heritage], as well as to provide crisis payments to farmers that are affected by natural disasters and supporting investments in the restoration of agricultural potential, provided that they were recognised as such by a competent public authority of the Member State. |
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) Providing for their specific needs and challenges, such as food security, housing, sustainable transport, water and waste management, energy, employment and labour mobility, in particular for young people, decarbonisation, circularity, education and skills, social inclusion, migration, climate change resilience and adaptation, environmental protection, blue economy, access to healthcare, energy, sustainable transport and digital connectivity and economic development, including a sustainable and diversified blue economy; | (a) Providing for their specific needs and challenges, such as food security, housing, sustainable transport, water and waste management, energy, mobility including educational, employment and labour mobility, in particular for young people, youth support, decarbonisation, circularity, education and skills, including adult and lifelong learning opportunities, vocational training, distant learning, social inclusion, availability social and accessibility services, access to culture, educational, cultural and sport infrastructure, protection and promotion of the cultural heritage, regional tourism, migration, climate change resilience and adaptation, environmental protection, blue economy, access to healthcare, energy, sustainable transport and digital connectivity and economic development, including a sustainable and diversified blue economy; |
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 – point e
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (e) specific support to the economic, social and territorial development in particular, to enhance decarbonised transport, clean energy and digital connectivity with a view to offsetting the additional costs linked to their remoteness and to provide for a level-playing field with continental Europe, fostering their security and resilience; | (e) specific support to the economic, social and territorial development in particular, to enhance decarbonised transport, clean energy and digital connectivity and regional tourism with a view to offsetting the additional costs linked to their remoteness and to provide for a level-playing field with continental Europe, fostering their security and resilience; |
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 75 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Support for territorial development shall be based on integrated territorial development strategies, including via community-led local development, focused on urban areas, rural areas, islands, coastal areas, or any appropriate territorial area as well as smart specialisation or territorial just transition strategies, or strategies for decarbonisation developed with the support of Union instruments in the 2021 to 2027 period, taking account, where relevant, of a functional area and place-based approach. Corresponding milestones and targets shall be established in the Plan. | 1. Support for territorial development shall be based on integrated territorial development strategies, including via community-led local development, focused on urban areas, rural areas, islands, coastal areas, or any appropriate territorial area as well as smart specialisation or territorial just transition strategies, or strategies for decarbonisation developed with the support of Union instruments in the 2021 to 2027 period, or development of educational, cultural or sport infrastructure, measures improving access to education or culture or protection and promotion of cultural heritage or closer cooperation between educational or cultural institutions taking account, where relevant, of a functional area and place-based approach. Corresponding milestones and targets shall be established in the Plan. |
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 75 – paragraph 2 – point e
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (e) set out the involvement of partners in the preparation and implementation of the strategy. | (e) set out the involvement and role of partners in the preparation and implementation of the strategy. |
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 76 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) be carried out through strategies in accordance with Article 75 [Integrated territorial and urban development], supportive of innovative features in the local context, networking and cooperation with other territorial actors | (c) be carried out through strategies in accordance with Article 75 [Integrated territorial and urban development], supportive of innovative features in the local context, networking and cooperation with other territorial actors, including educational and cultural institutions. |
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Description of how the measures included in the chapter are coherent with other measures in the Plan and/or other measures supported by other Union instruments. [2 000] | Description of how the measures included in the chapter are coherent with and complement other measures in the Plan and/or other measures supported by other Union instruments, in particular the European Social Fund, Erasmus+, the Horizon Europe Programme or the AgoraEU. [2 000] |
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) to foster active social inclusion and socio-economic integration with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability, in particular for disadvantaged groups, third-country nationals including migrants and marginalized communities. | (a) to foster active social inclusion and socio-economic integration with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability through access to quality education, mobility and culture in particular for disadvantaged groups, third-country nationals including migrants and marginalized communities. |
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ba) to implement the Council Recommendation on human capital in the European Union, in particular through strengthening the access to quality education and training, including adult and lifelong learning opportunities, as well as to support upskilling and reskilling to better address the needs of the labour market; |
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (da) to implement the Culture Compass for Europe and strengthen the Union’s cultural and linguistic diversity, including through strengthening the access to culture, bolstering educational, cultural and sport infrastructure and protecting and promoting the Union’s natural and cultural heritage as the means to advancing social cohesion, resilience and inclusion. |
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Annex XV – point 1 – point i
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) address urgent and specific needs as a response to a crisis situation such as major or regional natural disaster, and foster repair and recovery in view of increasing resilience following a crisis; | (i) address urgent and specific needs as a response to a crisis situation such as major or regional natural disaster or destruction of cultural or natural heritage and foster repair and recovery in view of increasing resilience of vulnerable sectors including culture and education; |
Annex: declaration of input 1 paragraph
The rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Procedure pages
How the committees handled the text, and how their members voted on it.
Procedure – committee asked for opinion 1 paragraph
| Title | Establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 | ||
| References | COM(2025)0565 – C10-0179/2025 – 2025/0240(COD) | ||
| Committee(s) responsible Date announced in plenary | BUDG 23.10.2025 | REGI 23.10.2025 | AGRI 23.10.2025 |
| Opinion by Date announced in plenary | CULT 23.10.2025 | ||
| Rapporteur for opinion Date appointed | Hélder Sousa Silva 6.3.2026 | ||
| Discussed in committee | 16.4.2026 | ||
| Date adopted | 3.6.2026 | ||
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 21 2 1 |
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 paragraphs
21 · For
- ECR
- Marco Squarta, Ivaylo Valchev
- EPP
- Sunčana Glavak, Elena Nevado del Campo, Giusi Princi, Manuela Ripa, Hélder Sousa Silva, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Milan Zver
- Patriots
- Antonín Staněk
- Renew
- Laurence Farreng, Nikola Minchev
- S&D
- Gabriela Firea, Isilda Gomes, Hannes Heide, Sabrina Repp, Marcos Ros Sempere, Sandro Ruotolo
- The Left
- Anthony Smith
- Greens
- Diana Riba i Giner, Nela Riehl
2 · Against
- Patriots
- Catherine Griset, Annamária Vicsek
1 · Abstained
- ESN
- Zsuzsanna Borvendég