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EU Parl Watch

opinion parliamentary committee, 12 May 2026

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF’), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities, repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/522, (EU) 2021/694, (EU) 2021/697, (EU) 2021/783, and amending Regulations (EU) 2021/696, (EU) 2023/588, (EU) [EDIP]

Document IMCO-AD-782506 · (COM(2025)0555 – C100165/2025 – 2025/0555(COD)(COD))

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Regina Doherty

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection proposes amendments to the proposed regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), including its defence research and innovation programme. The amendments define competitiveness and European added value, and require funding to be awarded on excellence, quality and impact through open competition. They strengthen SME provisions: simpler procedures, advisory support, a Startup Gateway, a fast-track procedure and a single portal. They require the ECF to crowd in private capital, deepen the Single Market, support digital leadership and reduce high-risk dependencies in a targeted way. They add reporting duties, safeguards for accelerated interventions and rules on eligibility conditions and the Competitiveness Seal.

Position. The committee proposes amendments to make the ECF simpler, more focused and more effective: defining competitiveness and European added value, strengthening SME access and procedures, crowding in private capital, deepening the Single Market and taking a targeted approach to resilience.

Key points

  1. Defines 'competitiveness' as increased innovation and productivity responding to market demand, better product and service quality and improved price ratio, with high-quality jobs and consumer welfare.
  2. Defines 'European added value' by reference to the internal market, cross-border effects, economies of scale, reduced strategic dependencies and benefits for consumers and SMEs.
  3. States the ECF is not a cohesion policy instrument and should support projects through open competition on excellence, European added value and scaling capacity.
  4. Requires projects to be selected through open, transparent and competitive procedures on objective, excellence-based and market-based criteria, and bars funding that would significantly distort the internal market.
  5. Requires the Commission to ensure entities from all Member States have effective access, with technical assistance and indicative thresholds for first-time and less experienced applicants.
  6. Requires work programmes to describe in a dedicated part how they support micro-companies and SMEs, including their digitalisation, and to reduce administrative barriers.
  7. Requires a fast-track SME procedure with time from submission to grant agreement not exceeding 60 calendar days for SME-only calls, and a one-stop-shop portal and standardised application form.
  8. Requires a single portal applying the 'once-only' principle, integrated with European Digital Identity Wallets and European Business Wallets, and annual publication of key performance indicators.
  9. Requires a 'Startup Gateway' entry point within the single portal, aggregating funding opportunities, advisory services and investor matchmaking, and supporting portability of company information.
  10. Requires the Commission to publish an annual report to Parliament and the Council, including the share of ECF funding awarded to SMEs per window and average time-to-grant for SME proposals.
  11. Allows targeted eligibility conditions, including participation, transfer, supply and control restrictions, to protect Union strategic and economic security interests, with fair access for SMEs across all Member States.
  12. Requires accelerated interventions for 'EU Tech Frontrunners' and SME actions to be subject to safeguards ensuring transparency, accountability and equal access, and not to exclude eligible actors.

Who is affected

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises, micro-companies, start-ups and scale-ups: simpler procedures, advisory support, a Startup Gateway and a fast-track procedure.
  • The Commission: must publish annual reports, monitor access indicators and ensure effective access for entities from all Member States.
  • Member States: may make shared-management resources available to the ECF and may support projects awarded a Competitiveness Seal.
  • Recipients of ECF funding: may face participation, transfer, supply and control restrictions to protect Union interests.
  • Third-country start-ups and innovators: eligibility requirements may be temporarily waived under an inducement intervention to allow relocation into the Single Market.

Figures and deadlines

  • 44%: effective tariff between Member States for the manufacturing sector cited in the amended recital.
  • 110%: effective tariff between Member States for the services sector cited in the amended recital.
  • 13%: share of businesses that had ever taken part in an EU-funded programme.
  • 20.6%: share of Single Market procedures fully online for cross-border procedures, per the 2026 Single Market report.
  • 5 calendar years: period after the end of an action during which transfer restrictions apply to recipients.
  • 60 calendar days: maximum time from submission to grant agreement for SME-only calls under the fast-track procedure.
  • 100 days: maximum time-to-grant from closure of the call for 'EU Tech Frontrunners' and dedicated SME actions.
  • 60 days: deadline to inform applicants of the evaluation outcome after closure of the call.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 25 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

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Short justification 648 paragraphs

Europe faces a decisive moment. The EU’s global competitiveness is being held back by a fragmented Single Market, unnecessary regulatory complexity, and a lack of investment, particularly in innovative companies that should be growing and creating jobs. Businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and scale-ups across sectors face significant pressures around resources and red tape. As underlined by the Draghi and Letta reports, internal barriers within the EU Single Market represent an effective tariff that is often more damaging than external trade barriers. Therefore, the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) must be designed not simply as a spending instrument, but as a catalyst for market-driven growth and innovation across Europe.

The ECF should support the increased competitiveness of the Single Market through targeted investment, skills development, innovation, and improved market access. Funding should be awarded based on excellence, quality, and impact, thereby driving increased innovation, dynamism, and meeting market-demand, with additional supports for SMEs to help them to grow and scale in the European market.

European funding schemes can often seem distant and inaccessible for businesses, especially SMEs. who may have insufficient information about where and how to apply, high application costs, and uncertain outcomes. Low participation rates reflect these challenges; only 13% of businesses had ever taken part in an EU-funded programme. Therefore, the Fund should be designed with simplicity and proportionality in mind, to ensure accessibility for SMEs.

In establishing the ECF, the amendments seek to strengthen the Fund’s ability to deliver real and tangible improvements in European competitiveness, productivity and growth, firmly rooted in a well-functioning Single Market.

The amendments also bring clarity to how competitiveness is understood throughout the Regulation. Competitiveness must be based on higher productivity, innovation and quality, responding to market demand and delivering sustainable growth. This clarity is essential if the Fund is to deliver genuine European added value.

A core objective of these amendments is to ensure that public funding is used in a targeted, proportionate and market-led way. The ECF should step in where there are clear market failures and investment gaps, but it must not crowd out private capital. That is why these amendments focus on crowding in private investment, making better use of capital markets, and sharing risk more effectively. Public funding alone will not close Europe’s investment gap. Mobilising private finance is essential if we are serious about matching our global competitors and giving start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs the chance to grow and stay in Europe.

SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and of the Single Market, but they are too often held back by excessive red tape, lack of information and difficulties accessing finance. These amendments strengthen SME-specific provisions throughout the Regulation, including clearer consideration in work programmes, simpler procedures, better advisory support and stronger outreach. If the ECF is to work for smaller businesses, it must cut unnecessary bureaucracy, lower application costs and be designed around the needs of users, not institutions.

In line with IMCO’s remit, these amendments strengthen the role of the ECF in completing and deepening the Single Market. The Fund should make it easier for businesses to operate across borders, supported by interoperable digital and physical infrastructure, and allow them to compete on excellence, quality and innovation, instead of their ability to navigate complex regulation.

The amendments also take a balanced and pragmatic approach to resilience. They support reducing high-risk dependencies where this is clearly necessary, while safeguarding openness, competition and long-term innovation. Any safeguards must be targeted and proportionate, delivering security without damaging Europe’s attractiveness as a place to invest, innovate and do business.

Taken together, these amendments are about making the European Competitiveness Fund simpler, more focused and more effective — supporting businesses, including SMEs, throughout their investment journey, strengthening the Single Market, and delivering real and measurable improvements in Europe’s competitiveness.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection submits the following to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible:

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Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(2) The Union is facing a defining period for its future, from a political, economic, social, environmental, climate and security perspective, including increased risks of conventional military threats. The Draghi report on the future of European Competitiveness3 presented a new vision to reignite sustainable growth in Europe. The Letta report4 outlined that Europe must leverage its Single Market to achieve a leadership position in the global competition. The Commission communication on the Competitiveness Compass5 provided a roadmap for boosting competitiveness, building on the recommendations of these reports. The Commission communication on the Clean Industrial Deal6 outlined the need to accelerate decarbonisation, reindustrialisation and innovation, bringing together climate action and competitiveness under one overarching growth. Sectorial Industrial Action Plans, such as Automotive, Steel and Metals and Chemicals aim to ensure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the European industry. The State of the Digital decade 20257 highlights the urgent need to foster cooperation and increase public and private investments for strengthening Union’s digital leadership, sovereignty and inclusiveness. The Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness8 underlines the need to massively and rapidly reinvest in defence in support of Europe’s freedom of action. Moreover, the priorities of the Economic Security Strategy further underline the crucial need to secure the Union’s technological edge and de-risk economic relations including by enhancing the resilience of supply chains and thereby reducing dependencies on others. The European Ocean Pact outlines the need to enhance competitiveness and accelerate the strategic transition across the blue economy sectors, focussing especially on decarbonisation and scaling up innovation. As outlined in the Commission Communication on the Road to the next MFF,9 the next Union long-term budget needs to be more focused, simpler, more flexible, and predictable and better deliver on the Union priorities, including bolstering the Union competitiveness.(2) The Union is facing a defining period for its future, from a political, economic, social, environmental, climate and security perspective, including increased risks of conventional military threats. Economic pressures and competition for control over essential supply chains have highlighted Europe's strategic challenges, and the still-incomplete Single Market limits the economic potential of the integration of the Union, constituting an effective tariff between its Member States of 44% for the manufacturing sector and 110% for the services sector. The Draghi report on the future of European Competitiveness1 presented a new vision to reignite sustainable growth in Europe primarily by boosting competitiveness, public and private investments, reducing unnecessary administrative requirements and by incentivising innovation. The Letta report2 outlined that Europe must leverage and further integrate its Single Market. The deepening of the Single Market needs to be done in a way that goes hand in hand with ensuring upward convergence, as well as with the explicit aim to further the just transition objectives and modernisation of the EU economy in order to achieve a leadership position in the global economy. The Commission communication on the Competitiveness Compass3 provided a roadmap for boosting competitiveness, building on the recommendations of these reports. The Commission communication on the Clean Industrial Deal4 outlined the need to accelerate decarbonisation, reindustrialisation and innovation, bringing together climate action and competitiveness. Sectorial Industrial Action Plans, in areas such as Automotive, Steel and Metals and Chemicals aim to ensure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the European industry. The State of the Digital decade 20255highlights the urgent need to foster cooperation and increase public and private investments for strengthening the Union’s digital leadership, sovereignty and inclusiveness, while highlighting the need to reduce administrative overlap and complexity. The Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness6underlines the need to massively and rapidly reinvest in defence in support of Europe’s freedom of action. Moreover, the priorities of the Economic Security Strategy further underline the crucial need to secure the Union’s technological edge and de-risk economic relations including by enhancing the resilience of Europe’s supply chains. The European Ocean Pact outlines the need to enhance competitiveness and accelerate the strategic transition across the blue economy sectors, focussing especially on decarbonisation and scaling up innovation. The ECF aims at deploying a strong European industrial policy oriented towards specific and decisive missions for the future of European competitiveness, ensuring a European open strategic autonomy. As outlined in the Commission Communication on the Road to the next MFF,7the next Union long-term budget needs to be more focused, simpler, more flexible, and predictable and to better deliver on the Union priorities, including bolstering the Union competitiveness.
3 The future of European competitiveness: Report by Mario Draghi, September 2024, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en3 The future of European competitiveness: Report by Mario Draghi, September 2024, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en
4 Enrico Letta's Report on the Future of the Single Market, April 2024, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ny3j24sm/much-more-than-a-market-report-by-enrico-letta.pdf.4 Enrico Letta's Report on the Future of the Single Market, April 2024, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ny3j24sm/much-more-than-a-market-report-by-enrico-letta.pdf.
5 Competitiveness compass - European Commission5 Competitiveness compass - European Commission
6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final, 26.2.2025.6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final, 26.2.2025.
7 COM(2025) 290 final State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future.7 COM(2025) 290 final State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future.
8 Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’, JOIN(2023) 20 final, 20.6.2023.8 Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’, JOIN(2023) 20 final, 20.6.2023.
9 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The road to the next multiannual financial framework, COM(2025) 46 final, 11.2.2025.9 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The road to the next multiannual financial framework, COM(2025) 46 final, 11.2.2025.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(2a) In the context of this Regulation, competitiveness should mean measures that result in increased economic growth, innovation, and productivity in response to market demand within the Single Market, as well as better quality in terms of products and services and an improved price ratio for products and services, while fostering the creation of high-quality and well-paid jobs including the ability of companies to compete fairly within the internal market and globally, while promoting simplified administration and improving consumer welfare.

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(2b) European competitiveness should be understood as Europe’s capacity to deliver long-term and sustainable prosperity by building innovation, industrial capabilities and skills that produce concrete results: improved productivity, strategic resilience, energy security and economic stability.

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(5) This also requires that Union funding facilitates the creation and expansion of innovative and industrial ecosystems, where different actors interact in a synergetic way. Successful ecosystems feature intensive and agile interactions and collaboration between small and large companies, universities research institutions, infrastructure providers, investors as well as public authorities. Without such collaborations within and between individual innovation and industrial ecosystems, innovation potential stays unexploited.(5) This also requires that Union funding facilitates the creation and expansion of innovative and industrial ecosystems, where different actors interact in a synergetic way. Successful ecosystems feature intensive and agile competition, interactions and collaboration between small and large companies, universities research institutions, infrastructure providers, investors as well as public authorities. Without such collaborations within and between individual innovation and industrial ecosystems, innovation potential stays unexploited.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(6) Digital connectivity is crucial to foster collaboration within the ecosystem, accelerating innovation, enabling seamless and secure access to critical digital capacities and solutions across the Union, facilitating cross-border public-private partnerships, and fostering interoperability and cost-effectiveness.(6) Digital connectivity is crucial to foster collaboration within the ecosystem, accelerating innovation, enabling seamless and secure access to critical digital capacities and solutions across the Union, facilitating cross-border public-private partnerships, increasing digital literacy, investing in resilient, vital and digital infrastructure and networks, as well as for data retention, connectivity, cloud storage, data sharing, reducing strategic dependencies and fostering interoperability and cost-effectiveness. These elements are vital if the Union is to show digital leadership and regain competitiveness in the digital sector. According to the 2026 Single Market report, only 20.6 % of the Single Market procedures are fully online for cross-border procedures, which adds unnecessary administrative requirements on entrepreneurs and businesses, in particular micro-companies and SMEs, to fully benefit from the Single Market. The ECF should support the digitalisation of administrative procedures and the further development of the e-government services and tools based on open source in the Member States.

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(7) Therefore, the purpose of the ECF is to establish an investment capacity to support European competitiveness in strategic technologies, infrastructures, products and services and sectors, providing for a more seamless investment journey. It will promote the creation, collaboration, and expansion of innovation, private finance and industrial ecosystems.(7) Therefore, the purpose of the ECF is to establish an investment capacity to support European competitiveness in strategic technologies, infrastructures, products and services and sectors, providing for a more seamless investment journey. It will promote the creation, collaboration, and expansion of innovation, private finance and industrial ecosystems, where appropriate taking into account priorties identified in the European Semester.

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(7a) The ECF should not be designed or implemented as a cohesion policy instrument. It should remain a competitiveness tool aimed at strengthening the Union’s industrial base and the functioning of the Single Market by supporting projects through open competition on the basis of clear and strong award criteria such as excellence, European added value and their capacity to scale across the Union.

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 8

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(8) In the EU, persistent disparities in competitiveness and innovation performance across regions continue to exist. After sustained efforts at both EU and national level to close the innovation gap, it is time to unlock the full potential of every region. By ensuring that less-developed regions are effectively connected to EU value chains, the Union as a whole will be better positioned to compete globally.(8) In the EU, persistent disparities in competitiveness and innovation performance across regions continue to exist. After sustained efforts at both EU and national level to close the innovation gap, it is time to unlock the full potential of every region. By ensuring that less-developed regions are effectively connected to EU value chains, the Union as a whole will be better positioned to compete globally and gain strategic autonomy.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(9) The EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories represent unique and strategic assets that benefit the Union as a whole – including proximity to third countries, exceptional conditions for space and astrophysics research, abundant renewable energy potential, rich biodiversity, and extensive maritime zones. The ECF should leverage their potential as geostrategic outposts, particularly in support of the Union’s objectives on security, preparedness, regional value chains, and competitiveness.(9) The EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories represent unique and strategic assets that benefit the Union as a whole – including proximity to third countries, exceptional conditions for space and astrophysics research, abundant renewable energy potential, rich biodiversity, and extensive maritime zones. The ECF should leverage their potential as geostrategic outposts, particularly in support of the Union’s regulatory objectives on consumer protection, security, preparedness, regional value chains, and competitiveness.

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 10

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(10) The Commission should ensure tight coordination and synergies between all Union founding sources in the MFF. For this purpose, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will be tightly linked to the ECF: to ensure that the European industry leverages research results funded by the Union to further innovate and produce in Europe. In order to foster synergies, the work programmes adopted under this Regulation should integrate in a specific and dedicated part and ensure coherence with the ‘Competitiveness’ component, Part II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ of the Regulation (EU) [XXX]10 of the European Parliament and of the Council [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation]11 in accordance with the committee procedure set out in this Regulation. Besides, the ECF shall ensure coherence with the types of actions planned to be implemented under the Innovation Fund, notably when developing work programmes.(10) The Commission should ensure tight coordination and synergies between all Union founding sources in the MFF. For this purpose, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will be tightly linked to the ECF: to ensure that the European industry leverages research results funded by the Union to further innovate and produce in Europe. In order to foster synergies, the work programmes adopted under this Regulation should integrate in a specific and dedicated part and ensure coherence with and the ‘Competitiveness’ component, Part II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ of the Regulation (EU) [XXX]10 of the European Parliament and of the Council [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation]11 in accordance with the committee procedure set out in this Regulation. The rules of the Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation, including, where relevant and unless otherwise specified, any relevant provisions of this Regulation, should apply to the collaborative research and innovation activities funded under Pillar II, ‘Competitiveness’ part of that programme and should be integrated in a specific dedicated part in the ECF Work Programmes. In accordance with Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) …/…[Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation] and the ECF rules, the ECF Work Programmes, including collaborative research parts under the policy windows of Chapters IV to VII of the ECF, should be adopted under the work programme rules of this Regulation, including committee procedures referred to therein, to maintain a seamless support to the investment journey. The specific programme on defence research and innovation has its own set of rules consolidated in this Regulation, which are applicable to the Support for Defence Industry Policy action, including the Collaborative Defence Research & Development, Innovation and Technological Superiority action.
10 OJ L.., p10 OJ L.., p
11 COM(2025) 54311 COM(2025) 543

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(12) Moreover, to foresee a strong connection with the Competitiveness Coordination Tool, the work programme of the ECF should ensure coherence with the selected projects and competitiveness priorities identified under the Tool.(12) Moreover, to foresee a strong connection with the Competitiveness Coordination Tool, the work programme of the ECF should ensure coherence with the selected projects and competitiveness priorities identified under the Tool through structured dialogue, and with mandatory exchanges of information.

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(12a) European openness and the Union's international leverage through its trading relations with the rest of the world are an important source of the Union's economic strength. The ECF should work to support European openness, while upholding Europe's strategic economic interests. The Union’s competitiveness is strengthened by economic relations and partnerships with third countries, through competitive pressure, export market opportunities and innovation and knowledge spillovers, but also as a crucial source of resilience through diversification, in particular in the area of critical raw materials. Synergies with the instrument Global Europe, to be established under the Commission’s proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Global Europe1a offer opportunities to increase coherence between internal and external competitiveness policy. Competitiveness actions under the ECF with an external dimension should, where relevant, be supported by and implemented in synergy with Global Europe.
1a COM(2025)0551.

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 14

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(14) The ECF should use the whole toolbox of Union budget to unlock additional public and private investments, in particular from institutional investors throughout the whole investment journey. It should contribute to creating an “investment culture” by better leveraging public funds and the de-risking potential of the Union budget. It will maximise the added value of Union action and crowd-in private capital to secure a competitive innovation and industrial base, also by using innovative funding instruments including public-private co-investment with asymmetric risk returns. In this regard, the use of financial instruments that crowd in private investors should be the privileged option wherever possible.(14) The ECF should use the whole toolbox of Union budget to unlock additional public and private investments, in particular from institutional investors throughout the whole investment journey. It should contribute to creating an “investment culture” by better leveraging public funds, delivering returns for investors, and the de-risking potential of the Union budget. It will maximise the added value of Union action and crowd-in private capital to secure a competitive innovation and industrial base, also by using innovative funding instruments including public-private co-investment with asymmetric risk returns. In this regard, the use of financial instruments that crowd in private investors should be the privileged option wherever possible

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 17

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(17) The ECF should facilitate access to funding from Union programmes through user-centric, fast, simpler and harmonised procedures and improve coherence among Union instruments and with Member States investments. The ECF should put beneficiaries of Union funding, and notably industry, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, including those established under the upcoming 28th regime, at the centre of the design of Union funding instruments.(17) The ECF should ensure that access to funding is linked to the correct and timely implementation of Union law. The ECF should facilitate access to funding from Union programmes through user-centric, fast, simpler and harmonised procedures and improve coherence among Union instruments and with Member States investments. The ECF should put beneficiaries of Union funding, and notably industry, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, including those established under the upcoming 28th regime, at the centre of the design of Union funding instruments.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(19) Infrastructure is an essential enabler for European competitiveness. Investments in infrastructure are a necessary condition for the proper functioning of the EU's single market, the green and digital transition and for increasing the Union’s resilience and security. For example, the trans-European transport network fosters sustainable forms of transport, promotes improved multimodal and interoperable digital and transport solutions, thereby contributing to a smooth functioning of the internal market. The trans-European networks for energy are key for a genuine Energy Union to enable the Union’s energy and climate objectives by connecting Union countries’ electricity and clean energy networks to ensure our energy independence and competitiveness. For this, the development of cross-border interconnectors, domestic transmission and distribution grids is essential. The ECF support will work in coherence and complementarity with the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is essential for Europe’s competitiveness to provide for synergies between the development of trans-European networks in energy and transport with strong cross-border impact supported by CEF, and investment support for the decarbonisation, modernisation and expansion of transport, energy and digital infrastructure under ECF.(19) Infrastructure and capital investment are essential enablers for European competitiveness. Investments in infrastructure are a necessary condition for the proper functioning of the EU's single market, the green and digital transition and for increasing the Union’s resilience, autonomy and security. For example, the trans-European transport network fosters sustainable forms of transport, promotes improved multimodal and interoperable digital and transport solutions, thereby contributing to a smooth functioning of the internal market. The trans-European networks for energy are key for a genuine Energy Union to enable the Union’s energy and climate objectives by efficiently connecting Union countries’ electricity and clean energy networks to ensure our energy independence and competitiveness. For this, the development of cross-border interconnectors, domestic transmission and distribution grids is essential. The ECF support will work in coherence and complementarity with the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is essential for Europe’s competitiveness to provide for synergies between the optimisation, modernisation and development of trans-European networks in energy and transport with strong cross-border impact supported by CEF, and investment support for the decarbonisation, modernisation and expansion of transport, energy and digital infrastructure under ECF

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 22

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(22) The ECF should contribute to the objectives of decarbonising the European industry by promoting the development and deployment of clean technologies. The ECF will support the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, turning the clean transition and decarbonisation into a driver of growth and competitiveness for European industries. To this end, the ECF will support decarbonisation with a technology neutral approach, while recognising a contribution of different technologies to grid balancing and sector coupling, to align in particular with the investment needs of energy intensive sectors. Furthermore, it should advance the implementation of the Affordable Energy Action plan, ensuring secure, affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans. The ECF will contribute to the shift towards a decarbonised, circular, resource-efficient, climate-neutral, water resilient and bio-based economy. It will also support sustainable, nature-positive and resilient industrial production in energy-intensive industries in the Union, in line with the objectives of the forthcoming proposal for the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. It should also support the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/172413 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Net-Zero Industry Act), boosting the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and the ramp up of production capacities and investing in related infrastructure. To decarbonise the transport sector, amongst others the ECF will also invest in sustainable fuels, the related infrastructure and mobile assets as well as in the modernisation and digitisation of transport.(22) The ECF should contribute to the objectives of decarbonising the European industry by promoting the development and deployment of clean technologies that demonstrably contribute to Europe’s energy independence and long-term competitiveness. The ECF will support the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, turning the clean transition and decarbonisation into a driver of growth and competitiveness for European industries. To this end, the ECF will support decarbonisation with a technology neutral approach, while recognising a contribution of different technologies to grid balancing and sector coupling, to align in particular with the investment needs of energy intensive sectors. Furthermore, it should advance the implementation of the Affordable Energy Action plan, ensuring secure, affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans. The ECF will contribute to the shift towards a decarbonised, circular, resource-efficient, climate-neutral, water resilient and bio-based economy. It will also support sustainable, nature-positive and resilient industrial production in energy-intensive industries in the Union, in line with the objectives of the forthcoming proposal for the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. It should also support the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/17241of the European Parliament and of the Council (Net-Zero Industry Act), boosting the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and the ramp up of production capacities and investing in related infrastructure. To decarbonise the transport sector, amongst others the ECF will also invest in sustainable fuels, the related infrastructure and mobile assets as well as in the modernisation and digitisation of transport.
13 Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj).13 Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj).

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 26

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(26) The Union can become a global leader in digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, digital identity, semiconductors, robotics, quantum technologies, space technologies and others by harnessing the untapped potential of our researchers and industries. The ECF should promote the development and deployment of digital solutions and infrastructures and capacities across the Union for the benefit of the European society and economy.(26) The Union can become a global leader in digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, digital identity, semiconductors, microelectronics, robotics, quantum technologies, space technologies, cyber security, and others by harnessing the untapped potential of our researchers and industries. The ECF should promote the development and deployment of digital solutions, infrastructures, skills and capacities across the Union for the benefit of the European citizens and economy. Such support should be pursued in a manner consistent with Union values and legal frameworks, ensuring respect for democratic values and fundamental rights, and underpinned by a clear, proportionate and innovation-friendly ethical framework, including, where relevant, privacy-by-design requirements.

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 27

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(27) Chronic underinvestment in the European tech sector is one of the main reasons for the lack of competitiveness of the Union, as compared to our global competitors. Moreover, European sovereignty in digital technologies and infrastructures has become key for our resilience, security and for democracy, as highlighted in the 2025 State of the Digital decade report which also underlined the remaining significant gaps to reach Union’s 2030 goals, notably for the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space technologies, semiconductors, 5G and digital skills.(27) Chronic underinvestment in the European tech sector and unnecessary administrative requirements, combined with fragmented regulatory frameworks and administrative inefficiencies, are among the main reasons for the lack of competitiveness of the Union in the global tech economy, as compared to our global competitors. Moreover, European sovereignty in strategic digital technologies and infrastructures has become key for our resilience, security and for democracy, as highlighted in the 2025 State of the Digital decade report which also underlined the remaining significant gaps to reach Union’s 2030 goals, notably for the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and space technologies, semiconductors, 5G and digital skills.

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 28

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(28) While Europe’s digital transformation is accelerating, the many critical dependencies on non-Union suppliers (from raw materials, advanced semiconductors, and AI chips to systems, infrastructures and services) require European alternatives that anchor the digital transformation in Europe’s economy, with our shared values as the essential differentiator, including by leveraging the power of open-source technologies. Support for digital leadership is driven by regulatory and non-regulatory Union policy initiatives in the digital area such as the AI Act, AI Continent and AI Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Data Union Strategy, the Digital Networks Act, the EU Quantum Strategy and the Quantum Act, the Cyber-Solidarity Act, the Cyber-Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act, the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness 2030, and the revision of the EU Chips Act, and by future policy initiatives. The digital areas to invest in include a number of critical frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-powered digital twins, robotics, semiconductors, autonomous or quantum technologies. They also include key infrastructures such as digital identity, cloud, high performance and quantum computing, communication, advanced underwater observation infrastructure, and sensing infrastructures, digital connectivity networks, including submarine cables, as well as cybersecurity, defence or space capacities. Fostering their uptake across private and public sectors makes our entire economy more competitive, secure, sovereign, and sustainable, fortifying societal resilience and preparedness. Moreover, interoperable digital technologies are driving the modernisation of the public sector, serving for the integration of the single market, which is our most valuable stepping stone for European digital start-ups to become globally competitive. Technological progress and innovation in every economic sector, and thus their productivity and competitiveness, are essentially driven by the integration of sector-specific digital developments and use of digital solutions that should be supported across the ECF.(28) While Europe’s digital transformation is accelerating, the many critical dependencies on non-Union suppliers (from raw materials, advanced semiconductors, and AI chips to systems, infrastructures and services) require European or other reliable alternatives that anchor the digital transformation in Europe’s economy or along reliable supply chains, with our shared values as the essential differentiator, including by leveraging the power of open-source technologies and supporting the foundational layers of the open source ecosystem to ensure longterm stewardship of digital services and critical infrastructure. Support for digital leadership is driven by regulatory and non-regulatory Union policy initiatives in the digital area such as the AI Act, AI Continent and AI Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Data Union Strategy, the Digital Networks Act, the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the EU Quantum Strategy and the Quantum Act, the Cyber-Solidarity Act, the Cyber-Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act, the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness 2030, and the revision of the EU Chips Act, and by future policy initiatives. The digital areas to invest in include a number of critical frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-powered digital twins, robotics, semiconductors, autonomous or quantum technologies. They also include key infrastructures such as domain-specific AI, digital identity, cloud, high performance and quantum computing, communication, advanced underwater observation infrastructure, and sensing infrastructures, digital connectivity networks, including submarine cables, as well as cybersecurity, defence or space capacities. Furthermore, they encompass digital applications and services, such as online platforms and messaging services. Fostering their uptake across private and public sectors makes our entire economy more competitive, secure, resilient, sovereign, and sustainable, fortifying societal resilience and preparedness. Moreover, interoperable digital technologies are driving the modernisation of the public sector, serving for the integration of the single market, which is our most valuable stepping stone for European digital start-ups to become globally competitive. Technological progress and innovation in every economic sector, and thus their productivity and competitiveness, are essentially driven by the integration of sector-specific digital developments and use of digital solutions that should be supported across the ECF.

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 28 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(28a) In order to strengthen the Single Market and to build an independent, open and healthy digital environment for European consumers, European alternatives are also required in core digital infrastructure and services. The areas to invest in include the development and maintenance of shared infrastructure for social media applications, search index and open web search, cloud certification and open source cloud software, office software solutions, digital advertising solutions, app store protocols, mobile and desktop operating systems, mapping, transportation and geocoding platforms, browser engines, shared technical infrastructure for content detection and moderation, open digital commerce protocols, and hosting infrastructure.

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 31

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(31) A successful deployment of interoperability across borders and sectors has a substantial, untapped potential, especially for the competitiveness of European businesses. Therefore, it is imperative to invest in the development of pan-European digital public infrastructures encompassing interoperable, secure and sovereign digital networks, solutions and services to address the fragmented interoperability landscape across the Union, notably to transform the Member States’ public sector into an interconnected, frictionless, and agile digital ecosystem. The implementation of interoperability by European public administrations at all levels is a precondition for a resilient and innovation-driven public sector which contributes to the Union’s goals of competitiveness, technological sovereignty and security.(31) A successful deployment of interoperability across borders and sectors has a substantial, untapped potential, especially for the competitiveness of European businesses and for consumer choice. Therefore, it is imperative to invest in the development of pan-European digital public infrastructures and data sharing frameworks encompassing interoperable, secure and sovereign digital networks, solutions and services to address the fragmented interoperability landscape across the Union, notably to transform the Member States’ public sector into an interconnected, frictionless, and agile digital ecosystem. The implementation of interoperability by European public administrations at all levels is a precondition for a resilient and innovation-driven public sector which contributes to the Union’s goals of competitiveness, technological sovereignty and security.

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 39

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(39) The ECF should also support the policy goals of a safer, more secure Europe that is better prepared against security threats, in particular by enhancing European industry competitiveness and strategic autonomy, including maritime and customs security, critical energy and transport infrastructure and civil preparedness. To address increasing security and hybrid threats like terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, climate disasters and attacks on critical infrastructure, the ECF should support Europe’s efforts to increase its threat awareness, build resilience and boost security investments, and promote preparedness by design across relevant sectors.(39) The ECF should also support the policy goals of a safer, more secure Europe that is better prepared against security threats, in particular by enhancing European industry competitiveness and strategic autonomy, including maritime and customs security, critical energy and transport infrastructure and civil preparedness. To address increasing security and hybrid threats like terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, information threats, influence operations, climate disasters and attacks on critical infrastructure, the ECF should support Europe’s efforts to increase its threat awareness, build resilience and boost security investments, and promote preparedness by design across relevant sectors.

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 39 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(39a) The effective enforcement of Union digital internal market legislation is a key competitive advantage for European companies, especially SMEs and start-ups, driving innovation based on fundamental Union values, and contributing to European autonomy. Union digital legislation, democracy and competitiveness need to be mutually reinforcing.

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 44

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(44) To promote the Union’s competitiveness, in addition to its budget, wherever possible the ECF should attract and generate additional assigned external revenues. In this respect, the ECF should be open and facilitate synergies and cooperation for any financial or non-financial contributions that can support the competitiveness objectives, including from Member States, third countries and international organisations.(44) To promote the Union’s competitiveness, in addition to its budget, wherever possible the ECF should attract and generate additional assigned external revenues. In this respect, the ECF should be open and facilitate synergies and cooperation for any financial or non-financial contributions that can support the competitiveness objectives, including from Member States, capital markets, third countries and international organisations.

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 45

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(45) To promote the resilience of the Union economy, notably by reducing strategic dependencies, the ECF should enable Union preference for support to manufacturing and developing strategic technologies and sectors located in the Union, notably for actions related to Union strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security, in line with Union law and its international commitments. It is essential that European funding contributes to the uptake of strategic technologies developed in the Union and funded through European funding. To support the development and manufacturing in the Union of strategic technologies funded by the Union, the ECF should allow to condition its support through control restrictions, asset transfers restrictions and supply restrictions to the use of specific products and technologies.(45) To promote the resilience and autonomy of the Union economy, notably by reducing strategic dependencies, the ECF should enable Union preference for support to manufacturing and developing strategic technologies and sectors located in the Union, in a targeted and pragmatic manner, and without disincentivising long-term competition and innovation, ultimately undermining Europe’s competitiveness ambitions, and, notably for actions related to Union strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security, in line with Union law and its international commitments. It is essential that European funding contributes to the uptake of strategic technologies developed in the Union and other like-minded international partners, and funded through European funding. To support the development and manufacturing in the Union of strategic technologies funded by the Union, the ECF should allow to condition its support through control restrictions, asset transfers restrictions and supply restrictions to the use of specific products and technologies in a targeted and pragmatic manner, and without disincentivising long-term competition and innovation, ultimately undermining Europe’s competitiveness ambitions.

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 45 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(45a) To ensure focus on reducing and preventing high-risk dependencies, the approach identified by the Commission in its staff working document entitled “Strategic dependencies and capacities Accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe's recovery” 1a should be used as a foundation. High risk dependencies should be understood in this context as dependencies on an external reliance on goods, services, data, capital or technology relevant for the Union’s economy and open international trading system, which are essential for the Union’s security and resilience and that create important vulnerability due to a high degree of market concentration, limited dispensability and substitutability, and exposure to coercive or unstable third countries.
1a SWD/2021/352

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 46

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(46) ECF activities should be open for cooperation with third countries where this is in the interest of the Union. To that extent, the Union may associate, fully or partially, third countries to the activities under the ECF. Association should be subject to a fair balance as regards contributions and benefits of the third countries and ensure the protection of the financial and, where relevant, security interest of the Union.(46) ECF activities should be open for cooperation with third countries ensuring that the investment returns to the benefit of Europeans and European competitiveness and where this is in the interest of the Union. To that extent, the Union may associate, fully or partially, third countries to the activities under the ECF. Association should be subject to a fair balance as regards contributions and benefits of the third countries and ensure the protection of the financial and, where relevant, security interest of the Union.

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 47

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(47) The ECF should be open and facilitate synergies with other Union activities that support policy areas closely linked with competitiveness, the including the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, external policies and programmes in shared management with Member States. This should allow for the combination and cumulation of funding for actions supporting the objectives of more than one Union policy area. Cooperation between the Commission and Member States should be established to ensure consistency and complementarities between the ECF and the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [National and Regional partnership plans] Moreover, support from the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [National and Regional Partnership Plans ] and from the ECF to projects that have been awarded the Competitiveness Seal should be facilitated, taking advantage of the assessment conducted prior to the attribution of the Seal and without prejudice to the State aid rules. The criteria for awarding the Competitiveness Seal should be designed in a manner that can enable to seal to also act as a quality guarantee providing assurances to institutional investors that the project has been appropriately vetted. The Competitiveness Seal should be awarded to high quality projects contributing to the objectives of the ECF. The ECF may be implemented jointly with other Union programmes or other co-donors or co-investors, and those partners should be able to participate in evaluation committees for jointly funded award procedures. The implementation of all those synergy activities should be simple. Reporting and record-keeping requirements for recipients should be reduced, where possible to a single contractual reporting and payment stream with a single set of rules for all support provided.(47) The ECF should be open and facilitate synergies with other Union activities that support policy areas closely linked with competitiveness, the including the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, external policies and programmes in shared management with Member States. This should allow for the combination and cumulation of funding for actions supporting the objectives of more than one Union policy area. Cooperation between the Commission and Member States should be established to ensure consistency and complementarities between the ECF and the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [National and Regional partnership plans] Moreover, support from the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [National and Regional Partnership Plans ] and from the ECF to projects that have been awarded the Competitiveness Seal should be facilitated, taking advantage of the assessment conducted prior to the attribution of the Seal and without prejudice to the State aid rules. The criteria for awarding the Competitiveness Seal should be designed in a manner that can enable to seal to also act as a quality guarantee providing assurances to institutional investors that the project has been appropriately vetted. The Competitiveness Seal should be awarded to high quality projects contributing to the objectives of the ECF, and its allocation should be assessed in light of the projects’ tangible effects on the functioning of the internal market and on consumer protection. The award of a Competitiveness Seal should be based on objective, transparent and predefined criteria, including the project’s demonstrable contribution to the functioning of the internal market, effective consumer protection, and fair competition. The Commission should publish the assessment methodology. The ECF may be implemented jointly with other Union programmes or other co-donors or co-investors, and those partners should be able to participate in evaluation committees for jointly funded award procedures. The implementation of all those synergy activities should be simple. Reporting and record-keeping requirements for recipients should be reduced, where possible to a single contractual reporting and payment stream with a single set of rules for all support provided.

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 48

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(48) Union support should focus on the achievement of policy objectives. In all cases, ECF funding should be provided in the form best able to achieve its objectives, while limiting administrative burden for recipients to the absolute minimum. When implementing the budget, the ECF should provide the full toolbox of Union support and ensure synergies between its supported policies, in particular by allowing for simplified common award procedures to pursue objectives of more than one policy. As such, the elimination of burdensome financial reporting through the widest possible use of financing not linked to cost should be pursued as a major simplification measure.(48) Union support should focus on the achievement of policy objectives and European added value. In all cases, ECF funding should be provided in the form best able to achieve its objectives, while limiting unnecessary administrative requirements and complexified access for recipients to the absolute minimum. Access conditions to the Fund should be clear, transparent and predictable, in particular as regards the eligibility criteria, selection procedures and evaluation timelines. When implementing the budget, the ECF should provide the full toolbox of Union support and ensure synergies between its supported policies, in particular by allowing for simplified common award procedures to pursue objectives of more than one policy. As such, the elimination of burdensome financial reporting through the widest possible use of financing not linked to cost should be pursued as a major simplification measure.

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 49

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(49) The ECF should support a diverse set of policies contributing to competitiveness, while providing a harmonised baseline set of eligibility criteria to provide policy steer and ensuring a sufficient level of protection of economic and security interests by focusing Union support on recipients in the Member States, including Overseas Countries and Territories. Where necessary, the ECF should establish specific eligibility conditions for strategic sectors and technologies, including underlying value chains, critical Union infrastructures and specific capabilities.(49) The ECF should support a diverse set of policies contributing to competitiveness, while providing a harmonised baseline set of eligibility criteria to achieve policy and regulatory objectives and ensuring a high level of consumer protection and a sufficient level of protection of economic and security interests by focusing Union support on recipients in the Member States, including Overseas Countries and Territories. Where possible, benefits of the investments provided by European public funds should return to European competitiveness and to Europeans. Where necessary, the ECF should establish specific eligibility conditions for strategic sectors and technologies, including underlying value chains, critical Union infrastructures and specific capabilities.

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 50

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(50) The ECF should be implemented through work programmes as set out in this Regulation. Work programmes could be adopted under an annual or multi-annual format. The latter could in particular be considered for the purposes of Union support provided for budgetary guarantees and financial instruments, with a view to provide predictability to implementing partners. The designated mode of implementation reflects the identified needs for directionality, flexibility, predictability and efficiency, required to meet the objectives of the Regulation. In accordance with Regulation (EU Euratom) 2024/2059, the work programmes and the call documents will set out more technical implementation details for the budget across the set of policies supported by the ECF, including specific eligibility and award criteria depending on the instrument of budget implementation, be it grant, or procurement, and the specific policy objectives pursued. In accordance with Article 136 of the Financial Regulation, eligibility restrictions should apply to high-risk suppliers, for security reasons. Work programmes are also the appropriate place to allocate budget in accordance with evolving policy priorities, and they should set out contributions, specific conditions and expected results.(50) The ECF should be implemented through work programmes established in a transparent and concerted manner as set out in this Regulation. Work programmes could be adopted under an annual or multi-annual format. The latter could in particular be considered for the purposes of Union support provided for budgetary guarantees and financial instruments, with a view to provide predictability to implementing partners. The designated mode of implementation reflects the identified needs for directionality, flexibility, predictability and efficiency, required to meet the objectives of the Regulation. In accordance with Regulation (EU Euratom) 2024/2059, the work programmes and the call documents will set out more technical implementation details for the budget across the set of policies supported by the ECF, including specific eligibility and award criteria depending on the instrument of budget implementation, be it grant, or procurement, and the specific policy objectives pursued. In accordance with Article 136 of the Financial Regulation, eligibility restrictions should apply to high-risk suppliers, for security reasons. Where work programmes lay down award criteria, those should be based on excellence, impact, and quality, and, where applicable, take into account the impact of proposals in light of the ECF objectives as well as contribute generally to a more competitive and dynamic Single Market. These award criteria should come in addition to the fulfilment of minimal requirements such as the respect of Union law including existing consumer protection requirements or regulatory harmonisation within the internal market, and an evaluation of the foreseen European added value as defined in Article 2(3b). Such criteria should also assess the expected impact on a more competitive, resilient and dynamic Single Market. Work programmes are also the appropriate place to allocate budget in accordance with evolving policy priorities, and they should set out contributions, specific conditions and expected results.

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 50 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(50a) SMEs are an integral part of European economy and European community life and an important source of quality employment, innovation and growth potential in every Member State, but they are also faced with challenges, including excessive administrative requirements, barriers, information asymmetries, and cost-pressures that warrant specific attention. SMEs and micro-companies should be given specific recognition and support under the ECF. To make sure that the needs of SMEs are properly taken into account, work programmes under the ECF should describe in a specific dedicated part how they aim to support SMEs.

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 50 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(50b) An essential aim and goal of the ECF should be to further and support the completion of the Single Market by helping businesses, in particular SMEs, micro-companies and start-ups to grow, scale and innovate. The ECF should aim as a priority to facilitate businesses to better access funding, information, and administrative support in order to contribute to a more competitive, dynamic and integrated Single Market across all Member States as well as to improve the quality of services provided for companies in the Single Market by public authorities, including supporting further digitalisation. Such support should also include improved guidance and local outreach on access to Union funding opportunities, as well as measures to reduce unnecessary administrative requirements that may hinder participation, particularly for entities with limited administrative capacity.

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 51

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(51) For financial instruments and the budgetary guarantee to effectively crowd in private money, implementing partners need to be closely associated. This ensures policy steer and alignment, as well as project pipeline generation. The experience and lessons learnt with the implementation of the InvestEU Programme emphasise the importance of investment guidelines in creating this buy-in and providing the necessary predictability and visibility to the implementing partners and investors, in order for them to set up their organisational capacity and originate the pipeline of investments, while allowing the necessary flexibility to ensure an adequate policy steer during implementation. Investment guidelines should include detailed description of the policy areas of intervention and investment focus with a view to ensuring additionality and incentivise crowding in private and public investment in support of the Union’s policy objectives and strategic projects. The investment guidelines should be prepared in consultation with implementing partners to benefit from their market knowledge, and enable them to invest in Union priority areas and incentivise them for more risk taking. To cater for evolving needs and developments, the investment guidelines may be reviewed in the context of the MFF mid-term review.(51) For financial instruments and the budgetary guarantee to effectively crowd in private money, implementing partners need to be closely associated. This ensures policy steer and alignment, as well as project pipeline generation. The experience and lessons learnt with the implementation of the InvestEU Programme emphasise the importance of investment guidelines in creating this buy-in and providing the necessary predictability and visibility to the implementing partners and investors, in order for them to set up their organisational capacity and originate the pipeline of investments, while allowing the necessary flexibility to ensure an adequate policy steer during implementation. Investment guidelines should include detailed description of the policy areas of intervention and investment focus with a view to ensuring additionality and incentivise crowding in private and public investment in support of the Union’s policy objectives and strategic projects. The investment guidelines should be prepared in consultation with implementing partners to benefit from their market knowledge, and enable them to invest in Union priority areas and incentivise them for more risk taking. To cater for evolving needs and developments, the investment guidelines may be reviewed in the context of the MFF mid-term review. It is also necessary, in duly justified cases and where market failures persist, to enable sectors of strategic importance that demonstrate a clear European added value and that serve a strong public interest to be supported through targeted direct public investment.

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 55

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(55) In order to foster competitiveness of European industry through industry-driven bottom-up innovation, the work programmes may include special 2-stage bottom-up award procedures to identify and support EU Tech frontrunners through industry-driven consortia.(55) In order to foster competitiveness of European industry through industry-driven bottom-up innovation and to strengthen the functioning of the internal market, the work programmes may include special 2-stage bottom-up award procedures to identify and support EU Tech frontrunners through industry-driven consortia for projects that commit to interoperable architectures, open and internationally recognised standards and compatibility with EU public digital infrastructures, while encouraging the development of solutions with the potential to scale across the Single Market.

Amendment 36

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 57

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(57) Multistakeholder consultations, including those of researchers and industry, the social partners, as well as investors, end-users and civil society, from SME, small to large organisations, should contribute to the priorities of the ECF. Those consultations should be structured via advisory boards including the ECF Stakeholder Board whose task should be to provide insights and advise the Commission on policy trends, on investment needs, and on the implementation of the ECF from the perspective of project promoters, with the aim to ensure that feedback from stakeholder communities is reflected in the design of work programmes.(57) Multistakeholder consultations, including those of researchers and industry, the social partners, as well as investors, end-users and civil society, from SME, small to large organisations, should contribute to the priorities of the ECF. Those consultations should be structured via advisory boards including the ECF Stakeholder Board whose task should be to provide insights and advise the Commission on policy trends, on investment needs, and on the implementation of the ECF from the perspective of project promoters, with the aim to ensure that feedback from stakeholder communities is reflected in the design and implementation of work programmes in a fair and balanced manner.

Amendment 37

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 59

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(59) The ever-evolving geopolitical situation underlines the need for Europe to ensure its own strategic autonomy and avoid strategic dependencies. The ECF will include the possibility to support production ramp up and undertake accelerated competitiveness actions for projects that offer specific support to European strategic autonomy. This is for example the case for projects that have been selected as strategic under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials Act), Regulation (EU) 2024/1724 (Net Zero Industry Act) and the Regulation (EU) 2025/102 (Critical Medicines Act).(59) The ever-evolving geopolitical situation underlines the need for Europe to ensure its own open strategic autonomy and avoid strategic dependencies. In this context, the ECF should contribute to the proper functioning, resilience and strategic autonomy of the internal market by promoting, public and private investments within the Union aimed at strengthening European industrial capacities, reducing strategic dependencies and ensuring security of supply, in full respect of internal market and competition rules. In order to strengthen Europe’s industrial base and accelerate industrial deployment within the Union, the Fund should provide a coherent framework for prioritising strategic projects with a high European added value. The ECF will include the possibility to support production ramp up and undertake accelerated competitiveness actions for projects that offer specific support to European strategic autonomy. This is for example the case for projects that have been selected as strategic under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials Act), Regulation (EU) 2024/1724 (Net Zero Industry Act) and the Regulation (EU) 2025/102 (Critical Medicines Act).

Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 62

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(62) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should provide a targeted intervention mechanism to deliberately provide Union support to certain actions of strategic and economic importance. Where certain important projects could not be successfully implemented within the timeline for completion of regular competitive award procedures, the ECF should also provide for the possibility of directly taking-up excellent projects that remained unfunded under any Union programme or continue to financially support well-working projects seamlessly in their next steps along the investment journey, without imposing additional administrative burden for the recipients. In addition, in line with the approach taken by the relevant sectoral legislation, such as the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) or Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and referenced in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) communication and the Single Market Strategy, cases in which specific projects are considered to be of public interest or presumed to be of overriding public interest may be identified in separate existing or future legislation.(62) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should provide a targeted intervention mechanism to deliberately provide Union support to certain actions of strategic and economic importance. Where certain important projects could not be successfully implemented within the timeline for completion of regular competitive award procedures, the ECF should also provide for the possibility of directly taking-up excellent projects that remained unfunded under any Union programme or continue to financially support well-working projects seamlessly in their next steps along the investment journey, without imposing additional administrative requirements for the recipients. In addition, in line with the approach taken by the relevant sectoral legislation, such as the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) or Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and referenced in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) communication and the Single Market Strategy, cases in which specific projects are considered to be of public interest or presumed to be of overriding public interest may be identified in separate existing or future legislation.

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 63

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(63) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should also be able to provide an ‘accelerated intervention’ mechanism to accelerate the provision of Union support to address urgent funding needs to enable the successful implementation of important business ideas in the single market where such funding is not available, at a sufficient level, on the market. For this purpose, due to the urgency, certain checks should be conducted only after the provision of funding, facilitating and limiting administrative burden for recipients and providing financial certainty in the fastest possible manner while accepting a reasonable level of financial risk to the Union commensurate with the objectives pursued.(63) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should also by default be able to provide an ‘accelerated intervention’ mechanism for the 'EU Tech Frontrunners' and SME actions to accelerate the provision of Union support to address urgent funding needs to enable the successful implementation of important business ideas in the single market where such funding is not available, at a sufficient level, on the market. For this purpose, due to the urgency, certain checks should be conducted only after the provision of funding, facilitating and limiting administrative burden for recipients and providing financial certainty in the fastest possible manner while accepting a reasonable level of financial risk to the Union commensurate with the objectives pursued.

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 64

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(64) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should incentivise start-ups and innovators established outside of the Union to relocate or invest, and to build up their business in the single market, by providing an ‘inducement intervention’ mechanism attracting successful start-ups and innovators from all over the world, drawing also on its network of EU Delegation. For this purpose, the eligibility requirements, for example as regards establishment in the Member States or associated countries at the start of Union support, should be temporarily waived to allow recipient to resettle within a set timeframe with the assurance of subsequent Union support. The financial interest of the Union should be duly protected, and payments should not be provided until the eligibility requirements are fulfilled.(64) Where necessary and duly justified, the ECF should incentivise start-ups and innovators established outside of the Union to relocate or invest, and to build up their business in the single market, by providing an ‘inducement intervention’ mechanism attracting successful start-ups and innovators from all over the world, drawing also on its network of EU Delegation. For this purpose, the eligibility requirements, for example as regards establishment in the Member States or associated countries at the start of Union support, should be temporarily waived to allow recipient to resettle within a set timeframe with the assurance of subsequent Union support. The financial interest of the Union should be duly protected, and payments should not be provided until the eligibility requirements are fulfilled, in full respect of Union law.

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 77

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(77) A Project Advisory should be established to support objectives of the ECF, building on the of InvestEU Advisory Hub. It should unify advisory support to private and public entities across Europe, offering tailored services to potential beneficiaries and contribute to development of a pipeline of potential investment operations under the ECF. At the same time, role of business support services such as the EU for Business Network, among others, should be to make European businesses become more innovative and competitive, grow and scale in the Single Market and to raise awareness and contribute to capacity building on avenues for accessing capital market-based funding. To avoid undue administrative burden and ensure a swift deployment and support to the market in continuity, the ECF may rely on the existing community of the InvestEU Programme pillar assessed advisory partners.(77) A Project Advisory should be established to support objectives of the ECF, building on the example of the of InvestEU Advisory Hub. It should unify advisory support to private and public entities across Europe, offering tailored services to potential beneficiaries and contribute to development of a pipeline of potential investment operations under the ECF. At the same time, role of business support services such as the EU for Business Network, among others, should be to make European businesses become more innovative and competitive, grow and scale in the Single Market and to raise awareness and contribute to capacity building on avenues for accessing capital market-based funding. To avoid undue administrative burden and ensure a swift deployment and support to the market in continuity, the ECF may rely on the existing community of the InvestEU Programme pillar assessed advisory partners.

Amendment 42

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 79

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(79) However, access to finance is an important barrier for SMEs, especially for start-ups and scale-ups, as they often rely on external financing to support their growth plans. SMEs face further barriers to innovation and growth that do not affect larger firms to the same extent, for example the lack of entrepreneurial skills, lack of access technology infrastructure, difficulties in protecting intellectual property or accessing export markets and value chains in order to develop their internationalisation activities.(79) However, access to finance is an important barrier for SMEs, especially for micro and small companies, start-ups and scale-ups, as they often rely on external financing to support their growth plans. SMEs face further barriers to innovation and growth that do not affect larger firms to the same extent, for example the lack of entrepreneurial skills, lack of access technology infrastructure, difficulties in protecting intellectual property or accessing export markets and value chains in order to develop their internationalisation activities. It is also essential for SMEs to be more aware of the information about financing possibilities and to facilitate their access to funding, in order to enhance their competitiveness.

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 79 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(79a) The ECF should be designed with simplicity, proportionality and certainty to ensure accessibility, in particular for micro-companies, SMEs, family businesses, start-ups and other companies. High application costs deter from applying, whereas reducing this upfront risk is essential to increase participation. Particular attention should be paid to addressing differences in administrative capacity and access to information, which may limit participation, especially for smaller entities and those operating in less advantaged regions. Streamlining application processes should therefore be a priority. Improved information provision and outreach are critical, as many businesses lack the capacity to research and apply for supports in-house. A user-centred and digitalised design, reduced unnecessary administrative requirements, clearer information, proportional requirements and quicker decision-making would significantly improve uptake and impact, especially for SMEs, while still supporting larger firms to invest, innovate and scale.

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 80

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(80) Evidence shows that direct financial support to SMEs is not enough on its own to support their scaling-up and that they need and benefit from dedicated advice at Union level. Providing advice on Single Market rules, innovation and access to finance contributes to Union competitiveness. Moreover, business support at local, regional and national level is diverse and should also connect less developed and outermost regions. Existing Union initiatives such as the Enterprise Europe Network, European Cluster Collaboration Platform and European Digital Innovation Hubs have helped bridge this gap. Accordingly, an ‘EU for Business Network’ shall be established, building on the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) and other networks, to simplify and streamline advisory and partnership services.(80) Evidence shows that direct financial support to SMEs is not enough on its own to support their scaling-up and that they need and benefit from dedicated advice at Union level. Providing advice, guidance and facilitating assistance and support on Single Market rules, innovation and access to finance contributes to Union competitiveness. Moreover, business support at local, regional and national level is diverse and should also connect less developed and outermost regions. Existing Union initiatives such as the Enterprise Europe Network, European Cluster Collaboration Platform and European Digital Innovation Hubs have helped bridge this gap. Accordingly, an ‘EU for Business Network’ shall be established, building on the experience of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) and other networks, to simplify and streamline advisory and partnership services, to increase knowledge, experience, and awareness of how to best access Union funding streams, as well as to promote consultation with the SMEs sector as part of the operation of the ECF.

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 81

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(81) The ECF will support SME’s access to finance and strengthen the competitiveness of the Union SMEs via two main avenues: First, in addition to the EU for Business Network, the ECF will also conduct additional cross-cutting activities focused on strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs. Second, the ECF policy windows should include dedicated SME actions targeting SMEs in strategic sectors, such as bonus systems to encourage SME participation, with a view to fostering SME innovation, growth and scaling-up. Special support may be granted for access to and the availability of finance for SMEs and small mid-cap companies across all sectors of the economy, including micro-finance, support for social enterprises. Furthermore, a flexible financial toolbox under the ECF should ensure that SMEs could receive the type of support that best fits their needs along their investment journey.(81) The ECF will support SME’s access to finance and strengthen the competitiveness of the Union SMEs via two main avenues: First, in addition to the EU for Business Network, the ECF will also conduct additional cross-cutting activities focused on strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs, including as part of the award criteria. Second, the ECF policy windows should include dedicated SME actions targeting SMEs in strategic sectors, such as bonus systems to encourage SME participation, with a view to fostering SME innovation, growth and scaling-up. Special support may be granted for access to and the availability of finance for SMEs and small mid-cap companies across all sectors of the economy, including micro-finance, support for social enterprises. Furthermore, a flexible financial toolbox under the ECF should ensure that SMEs could receive the type of support that best fits their needs along their investment journey.

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 82

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(82) To further support the principles of simplification and easy access to Union funding opportunities for beneficiaries, the ECF should offer a single portal centralising information on and access to all Union funding opportunities and support other activities. The single portal should facilitate and accelerate access to Union and other funding, financing and investments, streamlining the approach while building on the Funding and Tenders Portal, InvestEU Portal, Access to Finance Portal, STEP Portal and other relevant platforms. It should also be possible to directly apply for funding opportunities on the single portal.(82) To further support the principles of simplification and equal treatment and easy access to Union funding opportunities for beneficiaries, in particular for SMEs and first-time applicants, the ECF should offer a single portal centralising information on and access to all Union funding opportunities and support other activities. The single portal should ensure simplified, harmonised and user-friendly procedures. It should facilitate and accelerate access to Union and other funding, by strictly applying the 'once-only' principle. The system should not request data or documents from a beneficiary that have already been submitted to any other Union programme or national administrative authority linked to the Single Digital Gateway. It should ensure full alignment with other EU initiatives for financing and investments, streamlining the approach while building on the Funding and Tenders Portal, InvestEU Portal, Access to Finance Portal, STEP Portal and other relevant platforms. It should also be possible to directly apply for funding opportunities on the single portal.

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 82 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(82a) In order to ensure effective simplification and easy access to Union funding, the Commission should monitor the user experience of beneficiaries when accessing support under the ECF. In particular, the Commission should assess elements such as the time required for funding decisions, the administrative requirements placed on applicants, and the reuse of existing data through the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS). Increasing transparency on these aspects would support continuous improvement of access to funding, without creating additional obligations for applicants.

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(3a) ‘Competitiveness’ means increased innovation and productivity in response to market demand within the Single Market, as well as better quality in terms of products and services and an improved price ratio for products and services, leading to increased economic growth, long-term sustainable prosperity and strategic resilience by developing and deploying innovation, capabilities and skills, including the ability of companies to compete fairly within the internal market and globally, while fostering the creation of high-quality jobs, simplifying administration, and improving consumer welfare;

Amendment 49

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(4a) “European added value” means the contribution of an action to the functioning, integration and resilience of the internal market, including through cross-border effects, economies of scale, reduction of strategic dependencies, reinforcement of economic, social and territorial cohesion, avoidance of market fragmentation, creation of European public goods and benefits for consumers and SMEs that could not be achieved by Member States acting alone; it refers to the value that an EU action adds through EU policy, regulation, legal instruments and spending, over and above that created by Member States acting alone; The definition implies that an EU action should:
- be taken only if it is more effective than action taken at national, regional or local level, except in the areas that fall within the exclusive competence of the Union (the principle of subsidiarity);
- not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaties (the principle of proportionality);
- achieve clear additional benefits from a collective effort, compared with action by Member States, either individually or in cooperation and should not replace public or other equivalent action by a Member State unless there is additional benefit (the principle of additionality);
- and exceed those that would have been realised in the absence of public expenditure and should be consistent and complementary to other EU and national programmes, with a view of achieving synergetic effects and avoiding duplications (the principle of complementarity).

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(8) ‘Imperative public interest’ means, for the purpose of Article 20, an overriding reason for providing Union support for a certain action, or set of actions, due to a clear and significant contribution to the achievement of policy objectives under the ECF, which justifies the application of accelerated and simplified rules to the award;(8) ‘Imperative public interest’ means, for the purpose of Article 20, the sound overriding reason for providing Union support for a certain action, or set of actions, due to a clear and significant contribution to the achievement of policy objectives under the ECF, which justifies the application of accelerated and simplified rules to the award;

Amendment 51

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(17) ‘Competitiveness Seal’ means a quality label awarded to a proposal submitted to a call for proposals that meets all the quality requirements set out in the award procedure but might receive support from other Union or national funding sources;(17) ‘Competitiveness Seal’ means a quality label awarded to a proposal submitted to a call for proposals that meets all the quality requirements set out in the award procedure and contributes to the objectives of the Fund, including to the functioning of the internal market and to consumer protection; to ensure legal certainty, transparency and equal treatment, the conditions for the use of the Seal, as well as its award criteria and procedures, shall be clearly defined; the proposal might receive support from other Union or national funding sources;

Amendment 52

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The general objective of the ECF is to increase European competitiveness, notably in strategic sectors and technologies along the investment journey by:1. The general and overarching objective of the ECF is to increase European economic competitiveness on the basis of excellence, impact and quality, notably in strategic sectors and technologies along the investment journey, while securing and implementing the Union’s regulatory objectives ensuring coherence, coordination and complementarity between Union and national policies and instruments, by:

Amendment 53

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) delivering technological, economic and environmental impact from the Union's investments, including by developing disruptive and incremental innovation, and emerging, cutting-edge, dual-use, and strategic technologies with significant economic potential, including by developing and accelerating their manufacturing and industrial deployment;(a) boosting innovation and delivering positive technological, economic and environmental impact from the Union's investments, including by developing disruptive and incremental innovation that benefits society, and emerging, cutting-edge, dual-use, and strategic technologies with significant economic potential, including by raising productivity and developing and accelerating their manufacturing, industrial and market deployment, as well as by supporting and paying special attention to micro-enterprises, start-ups, SMEs, and small mid-cap companies to grow, scale, and remain in the European market by being able to better meet and anticipate market demand and provide products and services to meet existing and future consumer needs;

Amendment 54

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) reducing or preventing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and reinforcing the Union’s resilience, and economic security, including through diversifying sources and markets, support to ramp up of European production of strategic technologies and creating, strengthening and protecting critical Union value chains and infrastructure;(b) reducing or preventing the Union’s high-risk strategic and defence dependencies, and strengthening the Union’s autonomy, resource efficiency, resilience, sovereignty and economic security, openness and global market leadership, including through diversifying sources and markets, support to ramp up of European production of strategic technologies and creating, strengthening and safeguarding critical Union value chains and infrastructure including from hybrid and cyber threats and contributing to the reduction of strategic dependencies of the Union, with the Commission, where appropriate, specifying in the work programmes how the financed actions support this objective;

Amendment 55

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) addressing market failures and suboptimal investment situations, including by crowding in private capital and institutional investors as well as public funding in a proportionate manner, while avoiding duplication and without crowding out private investors; serving as an integrated platform for delivering targeted financial support to companies across all development phases start-ups, scale-ups, and strategic companies, including those actively pursuing manufacturing, industrial and market deployment;(c) addressing market failures and suboptimal investment situations, especially by crowding in private capital and institutional investors as well as public funding in a proportionate manner, ensuring additionality, a market-led approach, and ensuring transparency and alignment with the Union’s strategic, social and environmental objectives, while respecting the principles of a well-functioning and competitive market, by avoiding duplication and without crowding out other private investors; serving as an integrated platform for delivering targeted financial support to companies across all development phases, including start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, small mid-cap companies and strategic companies, including those actively pursuing manufacturing, industrial and market deployment;

Amendment 56

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ca) funding and further developing the Union's Digital Single Market by investing, inter alia, in digital skills development, innovation, resilience, data-sharing frameworks, cyber-security, and critical infrastructure;

Amendment 57

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(cb) prioritising projects that deliver scalable, commercially viable solutions and that ultimately support innovation and increase productivity growth; projects shall be selected through open and competitive procedures and awarded on the basis of clear criteria ensuring that only the highest quality and highest impact projects receive funding;

Amendment 58

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) furthering the integration of Union capital markets in alignment with the objective of delivering Savings and Investment Union, including solutions to address the fragmentation of Union capital markets, eliminate barriers and create incentives for private investments and diversify and reinforce the sources of financing for Union enterprises in all the Member States, including those with less developed capital markets;(d) furthering the integration of Union capital markets in line with the objective of delivering the Savings and Investments Union, including tools to address the fragmentation of Union capital markets, eliminate barriers and create incentives for private investments, for instance boosting retail investment and supporting financing for SMEs, and diversify and reinforce the sources of private financing for Union enterprises in all the Member States, including those with less developed capital markets, alongside investor protections;

Amendment 59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(e) aligning research, innovation and industrial policy support to translate Union’s research excellence into Union industrial strength on global markets and securing the future of manufacturing in Europe;(e) coordinating and aligning research, innovation, competition, and industrial policy support to translate Union’s research excellence into Union industrial strength on global markets and securing the future of manufacturing in Europe, while fostering an innovative and dynamic European economy;

Amendment 60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(f) developing Union cross-border and critical infrastructure key to the Union’s competitiveness, and strategic independence in particular energy and transport, digital and security, defence and space infrastructure as well as social infrastructure and related data and services;(f) developing and strengthening Union cross-border and critical infrastructure essential for the Union’s competitiveness, open strategic independence and resilience, in particular for energy, transport, digital, security, defence, space and water infrastructure as well as social infrastructure and related data and services;

Amendment 61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(g) strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs and small mid-cap companies established in the Union and their ability to grow and scale up, in particular by improving their access to finance, including private investment, micro-finance and support to social enterprises as facilitating access to Union funding, through faster, simplified and harmonised procedures; reducing and ensuring a proportionate reporting burden;(g) strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs and small mid-cap companies established in the Union and their ability to grow and scale up, in particular by fostering the growth, promotion and creation of SMEs, including enterprise networks, development of managerial skills and fostering measures to scale-up that will allow them to better improve their access to market and finance, especially in the medium and long-term, including private investment, micro-finance and support to social enterprises as well as facilitating access to Union funding, through faster, simplified, harmonised and proportionate procedures and ensuring proportionate reporting requirements in order to enable enterprises to better respond to market needs based on the principles of competitiveness, innovation, resilience, dynamism, and excellence as well as territorial cohesion; an important focus shall be put on reducing unnecessary administrative and bureaucratic barriers to accessing finance and improving information about available finance and improved businesses supports to meet market demand;

Amendment 62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(h) addressing shortages of skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in strategic sectors for EU competitiveness, through both horizontal and specific skills investment, contributing to the availability of skills in future emerging technologies, and by pursuing to accompany investments with skills investment and indicate when it is included;(h) promoting quality jobs and addressing shortages of skills critical to all kinds of employment in strategic sectors for EU competitiveness, through both horizontal and specific skills investment, contributing to the availability of skills in future emerging technologies, including for start-ups and SMEs, and ensuring that SMEs are especially accompanied on aspects concerning training, upskilling and retraining of their employees, under simplified and accessible conditions; paying particular attention to strengthening digital skills, including foundational digital skills, among employees and business leaders, particularly in SMEs;

Amendment 63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point i

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(i) ensuring the integration of the Single Market, including by supporting initiatives at any stage of the investment journey with positive spill-over effects for the Single Market and resilience of its value chains;(i) ensuring the integration of the Single Market, including by supporting initiatives at any stage of the investment journey with positive spill-over effects for cross-border business investment, the Single Market and the resilience of its value chains;

Amendment 64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(k) ensuring a just transition to a sustainable, decarbonised and digital economy that is fair and supporting workers and communities.(k) ensuring a just transition to a sustainable, decarbonised and digital economy that is fair and supporting workers, regions and communities, including those undergoing industrial transformation and integrating less developed regions into Union value chains;

Amendment 65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ka) enhancing productivity, improving advisory support and pursuing more attractiveness on the market.

Amendment 66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) For support to Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation, the specific objectives of support to decarbonisation of European industry, including SMEs and energy intensive industries, clean tech manufacturing and its supply chains, and contributing to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-, water- and resource-efficient, climate-neutral and resilient economy. This includes the uptake by industries of decarbonisation technologies and other solutions for their industrial processes and activities, as well as the decarbonisation of energy supply, promotion of energy efficiency, the uptake of renewable and clean energy solutions, the development of energy system flexibility, the uptake of lead markets for clean products , the development, resilience, integration and digitalisation of the energy and transport infrastructures and systems, boosting smart mobility and sustainable alternative fuels, as well as boosting the sustainable blue economy, the development of innovative nature-based business models and demand side solutions for clean and decarbonised buildings, transport and industry, and production ramp up contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy.(a) For support to Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation, the specific objectives of support to decarbonisation of European industry, notably SMEs and energy intensive industries, clean tech manufacturing and its supply chains, and contributing to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-, water- and resource-efficient, climate-neutral and resilient economy. This includes the uptake by industries of decarbonisation technologies and other solutions for their industrial processes and activities, as well as the decarbonisation of energy supply, promotion of energy efficiency, the uptake of renewable and clean energy solutions, the development of energy system flexibility, the uptake of lead markets for clean products , the development, resilience, integration and digitalisation of the energy and transport infrastructures and systems, boosting smart mobility and sustainable alternative fuels, as well as boosting the sustainable blue economy, the development of innovative nature-based business models and demand side solutions for clean and decarbonised buildings, transport and industry, and production ramp up contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy.

Amendment 67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(3) For support to bioeconomy policy, the specific objectives of fostering an innovative and competitive bioeconomy in the Union, including in the areas of biobased materials and products, biomanufacturing, innovative food products and biochemicals; including support to SMEs, start ups and scaleups, contribute to the development and scalable production and uptake, availability and accessibility of bioeconomy innovations, including those based on cross-sectoral cutting-edge biotechnology; strengthen supply chains and increase their resilience.(3) For support to bioeconomy policy, the specific objectives of fostering an innovative and competitive bioeconomy in the Union, including in the areas of biobased materials and products, biomanufacturing, innovative food products and biochemicals; including support to SMEs, micro and small companies, start ups and scaleups, contribute to the development and scalable production and uptake, availability and accessibility of bioeconomy innovations, including those based on cross-sectoral cutting-edge biotechnology; strengthen supply chains and increase their resilience.

Amendment 68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(4) For support to the agriculture and food security, the specific objective of fostering the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and rural and coastal areas and their role in the transition to a climate-neutral climate-resilient, water-smart, nature-positive economy and the protection of natural resources biodiversity while contributing to long term food security in the Union.(4) For support to the agriculture and food security, the specific objective of fostering the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and rural and coastal areas, including start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs in this area, and their role in the transition to a climate-neutral climate-resilient, water-smart, nature-positive economy and the protection of natural resources biodiversity while contributing to long term food security in the Union.

Amendment 69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) For support to Digital Leadership policy, the specific objectives of fostering innovation and competitiveness of digital sector for a competitive and secure Union and bringing its benefits to citizens and society, public administrations and businesses across the Union. This shall include, but not be limited to, supporting the entire digital value- and supply-chains and activities including support to start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, in particular along the following dimensions: Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies, including through technology transfer and innovation, and through cutting-edge infrastructures such as AI-powered digital twins; Achieving technological sovereignty by building resilient digital ecosystems and ensuring a high-level of cybersecurity in the Union; Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying advanced digital applications and services, infrastructures, capacities and capabilities and by reinforcing interoperability across the Union, Including support to digitalisation of companies, including SMEs, small mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups; Supporting the digital transformation and interoperability of public and private sectors through the rapid uptake of AI, the wallet technologies, such as EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and the forthcoming European Business Wallets and other digital innovative solutions. Support to cultural and creative industries, complementing the AgoraEU programme.(c) For support to Digital Leadership policy, the specific objectives of fostering innovation, dynamism and competitiveness of the digital sector for a competitive, secure and sustainable Union, including support for emerging industry leaders, strategic companies, start-ups, scale-ups, and SMEs, bringing its benefits to citizens and society, public administrations and businesses across the Union. This shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) developing and shaping essential digital technologies, achieving leadership and technological sovereignty supporting the entire digital value and supply chains, including in the areas of digital and AI technologies, including through technology transfer and innovation, through open and internationally recognised standards, specifications and solutions, and AI high performance computing, quantum technologies, semiconductors and robotics, provided that public financial support is subject to compliance with Union law and through cutting-edge infrastructures such as AI-powered digital twins;
(ii) building resilient digital ecosystems and infrastructure and strengthening the security of supply to achieve open strategic autonomy;
(iii) building state-of-the-art digital applications, infrastructures and services, including pan-European digital networks;
(iv) supporting the digital transformation and interoperability of public and private sectors by way of, inter alia, wallet technologies, such as EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services, the forthcoming European Business Wallets and other digital innovative solutions, including the digitalisation of administrative procedures, where appropriate, via open source tools;
(v) supporting the integration of digital solutions and digital practices into all areas of business and service provision especially SMEs, small mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups to improve efficiency, improve access, and meet market demand;
(vi) developing data-sharing frameworks and infrastructures;
(vii) improving digital knowledge and capability in all areas, and support for digital literacy and skills; support to cultural and creative industries, complementing the AgoraEU programme;
(viii) supporting the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant Union legislation and policy;
(ix) enhancing and ensuring a high level of cybersecurity in the Union.
The Fund shall contribute to strengthening the Union’s digital and technological autonomy, innovation and competitiveness within the internal market by deploying advanced digital applications and services, infrastructures, capacities and capabilities and by reinforcing interoperability, including through open source solutions and open and internationally recognised standards, as well as by supporting the development, deployment and uptake of open, interoperable, secure, and resilient European digital infrastructure and technologies. In particular it shall aim to reduce strategic dependencies on non-EU providers.
Funding under this objective shall aim to comply with competitiveness, as defined in Article 2(3a), and to deliver benefits for the internal market.

Amendment 70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(1) For support to resilience of supply chains, the specific objectives of reinforcing Europe’s resilience by strengthening the Union capacity in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling of raw materials and diversifying supply sources and markets, and improving the timely availability of such products, including through the reduction of their delivery lead time, reservation of manufacturing slots or stockpiling of products, intermediate products or raw materials.(1) For support to resilient supply chains, the specific objectives of reinforcing Europe’s economic security and the resilience of European industry, including start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs in this area, by:
(a) strengthening the Union's capacity in exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling of raw materials;
(b) diversifying supply sources and markets; and
(c) improving the timely availability of such products, including through the reduction of their delivery lead time, reservation of manufacturing slots or stockpiling of products, intermediate products or raw materials.

Amendment 71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(2) For support to EU defence industry. the specific objectives of promoting defence industrial readiness of the Union and its Member States through the strengthening of the competitiveness, responsiveness and ability of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), including support to start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, fostering an innovative EU defence ecosystem; Collaborative research and development of defence products and technologies, including disruptive technologies for defence; Cooperation throughout the life-cycle of defence equipment, in particular in defence procurement and for the development of European defence projects of common interest; Adjustment of industry to structural changes.(2) For support to EU defence industry. the specific objectives of promoting defence industrial readiness of the Union and its Member States through the strengthening of the competitiveness, responsiveness and ability of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), notably support to SMEs, including start-ups and scale-ups, fostering an innovative EU defence ecosystem; Collaborative research and development of defence products and technologies, including disruptive technologies for defence; Cooperation throughout the life-cycle of defence equipment, in particular in defence procurement and for the development of European defence projects of common interest; Adjustment of industry to structural changes.

Amendment 72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(3) For the implementation of EU space systems and space policy, the specific objectives of developing, maintaining and operating space systems, providing cutting-edge space-based information, data and services supporting Union policies, notably in the area of security, defence, sustainable growth, environment protection and climate resilience, global engagement and strategic independence; Maximising the socio-economic benefits of space-based activities, in particular by fostering the development of an innovative and competitive Union space economy and supporting the development of a genuine Single Market for space activities, including collaborative research and innovation for space products and technologies and support to SMEs; Enhancing the safety, security and sustainability of all outer space activities; Promoting the role of the Union as a global actor in the space sector.(3) For the implementation of EU space systems and space policy, including for start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs in this area, the specific objectives of:
(a) developing, maintaining and operating space systems, providing cutting-edge space-based information, data and services, supporting Union policies, notably in the area of security, defence, sustainable growth, environment protection and climate resilience, global engagement and strategic independence;
(b) maximising the socio-economic benefits of space-based activities, in particular by fostering the development of an innovative and competitive Union space economy and supporting the development of a genuine Single Market for space activities, including collaborative research and innovation for space products and technologies and support to SMEs;
(c) enhancing the safety, security and sustainability of all outer space activities; and
(d) promoting the role of the Union as a global actor in the space sector.

Amendment 73

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(4) For support to civil industrial security, the specific objectives of strengthening the competitiveness and responsiveness of the European civil security industry, in the application areas of security, resilience of critical and dual-use infrastructures, technologies including critical energy infrastructure, and solutions for the control of goods and persons at borders, the protection of borders, maritime security, customs security and civil preparedness against security threats, as well as reinforcing the capabilities of the relevant end-users in the civil security sector.(4) For support to civil security industry, the specific objectives of strengthening the competitiveness and responsiveness of the European civil security industry, including start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs in this area, in the application areas of:
(a) security, resilience of critical and dual-use infrastructure, technologies including critical energy infrastructure;
(b) solutions for the control of goods and persons at Union borders, and the protection of Union borders;
(c) maritime security, customs security, and civil preparedness against security threats; and
(d) reinforcing the capabilities of the relevant end-users in the civil security sector.

Amendment 74

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3a
Application process
1. ECF projects shall be selected based on objective, excellence-based, and market-based criteria covering innovation potential, contribution to European competitiveness and open strategic autonomy, productivity growth, additionality of finance, and the capacity to scale-up and generate EU-added value. The projects shall be selected through open, transparent and competitive procedures.
2. The Fund shall ensure that the integrity and unity of the internal market are preserved. The Commission shall assess the impact of the project on competition, economic cohesion, and territorial cohesion between Member States. No funding may be granted to a project that is likely to significantly distort the internal market.
3. The Commission shall ensure that entities from all Member States have effective access to funding opportunities under this Regulation. The Commission shall ensure supportive complementary measures for first-time applicants and less experienced applicants in order to avoid excessive concentration, in particular geographical concentration, of ECF funding.
4. Complementary measures shall be put in place by the Commission as regards the following:
(a) targeted technical assistance for first-time and less experienced applicants;
(b) establishment of minimum indicative thresholds, based on objective and transparent criteria, for first-time and less experienced applicants;
(c) supporting the integration of entities from different Member States into Single Market value chains, as referred to in Article 16, including by promoting the multinational composition of consortia and participation across the value chain;
(d) targeted outreach, communication, and capacity-building measures
(5) Proposals shall be blind evaluated. As part of its evaluation process as set out in Article 84a, the Commission shall monitor the geographical and sectoral distribution of Union funding under the ECF, with a view to identifying potential asymmetries or distortions affecting competition or the internal market, and provide for appropriate corrective mechanisms where required, while ensuring legal certainty and continuity of support.

Amendment 75

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, in accordance Article X of Regulation (EU) [XXX][NRPF regulation], be made available to the ECF. The Commission shall implement those resources directly or indirectly in accordance with Article 62(1), point (a) or (c) of Regulation, (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. They shall be additional to the amount referred to in Article 4. Those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned. Where the Commission has not entered into a legal commitment under direct or indirect management for additional amounts thus made available to the ECF, the corresponding uncommitted amounts may, at the request of the Member State concerned, be transferred back to one or more respective chapters of the Plan or their successors.2. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, in accordance Article X of Regulation (EU) [XXX][NRPF regulation], be made available to the ECF. The Commission shall implement those resources directly or indirectly in accordance with Article 62(1), point (a) or (c) of Regulation, (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. They shall be additional to the amount referred to in Article 4. The allocation of those resources shall comply with the Rule of Law conditionality, the conditionality of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and state aid rules. Those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned. Where the Commission has not entered into a legal commitment under direct or indirect management for additional amounts thus made available to the ECF, the corresponding uncommitted amounts may, at the request of the Member State concerned, be transferred back to one or more respective chapters of the Plan or their successors.

Amendment 76

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The Commission shall ensure the consistent implementation of the European Competitiveness Fund, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Innovation Fund.1. The Commission shall ensure the consistent implementation of the European Competitiveness Fund, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Innovation Fund and report on the implementation in accordance with Article 84a, through public and accessible reports. The Commission shall ensure coherence between strategic priorities, reforms and investments, as well as a comprehensive performance framework for the ECF with precise and measurable indicators.

Amendment 77

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The Commission and Member States shall, in a manner commensurate to their respective responsibilities, facilitate coordination and coherence between European Competitiveness Fund and national and regional partnership plans on common competitiveness priorities in selected key areas and projects deemed of strategic importance and of common European interest.2. The Commission and Member States shall, in a manner commensurate to their respective responsibilities, facilitate coordination and coherence between European Competitiveness Fund and national and regional partnership plans on common competitiveness priorities in selected key areas and projects deemed of strategic importance and of common European interest, including through the framework provided by the competitiveness coordination tool.

Amendment 78

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. The ECF will be implemented in synergy with other Union funds, including the Global Europe Fund, in particular to support global competitiveness, ensure diversified supply sources, and strengthen export potential and opportunities of European companies.3. The ECF shall be implemented in synergy with other Union funds, including the Global Europe Fund, in particular to support global competitiveness, ensure diversified supply sources, and strengthen export potential and opportunities of European companies, while avoiding overlaps and ensuring complementarity between instruments.

Amendment 79

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. A Competitiveness Seal may be awarded to high-quality actions which shall comply at least with the following conditions:1. A Competitiveness Seal may be awarded to high-quality actions which enhance innovation and market competitiveness, on the basis of excellence, and, in addition, it shall comply with at least both of the following conditions:

Amendment 80

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) they comply with the minimum quality requirements of that award procedure;(b) they comply with the minimum quality requirements of that award procedure, taking into account their contribution to the functioning of the internal market and to consumer protection;

Amendment 81

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. The Competitiveness Seal shall be awarded based on objective, transparent and predefined criteria related to the project’s demonstrable contribution to the functioning of the internal market, as assessed by the Commission on the basis of a published assessment methodology.

Amendment 82

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. Member States may support projects which have been awarded a seal, or may provide support through the ECF by making additional resources available to the ECF in accordance with Article 5(1) or (2).3. Without prejudice to State aid rules, Member States may support projects which have been awarded a seal, or may provide support through the ECF by making additional resources available to the ECF in accordance with Article 5(1) or (2).

Amendment 83

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. Eligibility criteria shall be set to support achievement of the general and specific objectives referred to in Article 3 of this Regulation, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and apply to all award procedures under the ECF.1. Eligibility criteria, selection procedures, evaluation timelines and reallocation rules shall be clear, transparent and published in advance. Eligibility criteria shall be set to support achievement of the general and specific objectives referred to in Article 3 of this Regulation, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and apply to all award procedures under the ECF. They shall also contribute to preventing double funding, overlaps and inconsistencies between Union and national funding instruments

Amendment 84

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The ECF support shall target development manufacturing and exploitation in the Union of strategic technologies and sectors, in line with Union law and international commitments. The award procedures may apply any of the conditions set out in paragraph 2 to protect Union’s strategic and economic security interests, as well as security and critical assets and the services they provide.1. The ECF support shall target development manufacturing and exploitation in the Union of strategic technologies and sectors, in a practical and proportionate manner and on a case-by-case basis, in line with Union law and international commitments. The award procedures may apply any of the conditions set out in paragraph 2 to protect Union’s strategic and economic security interests, as well as security and critical assets and the services they provide, in a balanced and differentiated manner. The eligibility conditions shall, where appropriate, build upon the requirements set out under relevant sectoral legislation.

Amendment 85

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The work programme, the investment guidelines or the documents related to the award procedure may set out eligibility conditions to ensure the competitiveness of the Union, including protection of economic interests and autonomy of the Union where necessary and appropriate, including through preferential conditions such as restrictions or incentives for Union entities, while limiting distortion of the single market. Those eligibility conditions may take the form of:2. The work programme, the investment guidelines or the documents related to the award procedure shall, where appropriate, set out targeted eligibility conditions to ensure the competitiveness and resilience of the Union, including protection of economic interests and autonomy of the Union, where necessary and appropriate, as well as the possibility of offering European consumers European alternatives for strategic technologies, including through preferential conditions such as restrictions or incentives for Union entities, while limiting distortion of the single market and avoiding the undermining of Union’s openness and the Union's international commitments, and disruptive consequences to the Union’s trading relationships. Eligibility conditions shall ensure fair access for SMEs across all Member States. Those eligibility conditions may take the form of:

Amendment 86

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) participation and performance restrictions requiring participating entities to be established, use facilities, or perform activities in the Member States, and where appropriate other eligible countries. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these participation and performance restrictions;(a) targeted, practical, and proportionate participation and performance restrictions requiring participating entities to be established and create added value in the Union, use facilities, or perform activities in the Member States, and where appropriate other eligible countries. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these participation and performance restrictions, including, where justified, quantitative thresholds for participating entities and to support EU-based SMEs, scale-ups, small mid-cap companies, and other European legal entities in the selection and award of projects. Such quantitative thresholds may address, inter alia, the added value generated in the Union and critical technologies;

Amendment 87

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) transfer restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding, during or within 5 calendar years after the end of an action, to not directly or indirectly transfer all or certain operations, results or related access and use rights, including granting of licences, from an eligible Member State or associated country to an ineligible third country. Otherwise, Union funding may be reduced and may be fully or partially recovered. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these transfer restrictions;(b) targeted, practical and proportionate transfer restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding, during or within 5 calendar years after the end of an action, to not directly or indirectly transfer all or certain operations, results or related access and use rights, including granting of licences, from an eligible Member State or associated country to an ineligible third country. Otherwise, Union funding may be reduced and may be fully or partially recovered. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these transfer restrictions;

Amendment 88

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) supply and content restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding to ensure a certain minimum use or sourcing of equipment, supplies and materials, or their components, used for the action from eligible entities referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b), unless those supplies and materials cannot be reasonably sourced from those eligible entities. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these supply and content restrictions;(c) targeted, practical and proportionate supply and content restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding to ensure a certain minimum use or sourcing of equipment, supplies and materials, or their components, used for the action from eligible entities referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b), in resilient and diversified supply chains within the Union, including regional ecosystems, alongside a mandatory dependency risk assessment, unless those supplies and materials cannot be reasonably sourced from those eligible entities. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these supply and content restrictions;

Amendment 89

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) control restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding to acquire and/or hold the ability to decide, without restrictions imposed by ineligible entities, on the creation and use of results, including the legal authority and practical capability to modify, substitute, or remove components of results that are subject to restrictions imposed by ineligible entities or third countries. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these design authority restrictions;(d) targeted, practical and proportionate control restrictions requiring recipients of ECF funding to acquire and/or hold the ability to decide, without restrictions imposed by ineligible entities, on the creation and use of results, including the legal authority and practical capability to modify, substitute, or remove components of results that are subject to restrictions imposed by ineligible entities or third countries. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure may set out further details on the application of these design authority restrictions.

Amendment 90

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 8 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
8a. Union funding provided in the form of grants shall primarily support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups and small mid-cap companies, while allowing the participation of other legal entities where this is necessary to strengthen innovation, scale-up capacities and the Union’s competitiveness.

Amendment 91

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
12a. The attribution of financing under the Fund shall be conditional on the demonstration of the European added value of the proposed action, which shall evaluated on the basis of defined criteria laid out in the work programmes.

Amendment 92

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. Essential aspects of the Strategic Stakeholders Board shall be the following:
(i) industry stakeholders, including SMEs’ representatives, shall have a clear role at all stages in shaping priorities and governance, including designing calls, and implementation;
(ii) industry stakeholders shall have a recognised and active role in the thematic platforms established under each policy window.

Amendment 93

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The members of the ECF Strategic Stakeholders Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expressions of interest, or both, whichever the Commission finds more appropriate, and taking into account the need for balance in sector, organisation type, including private investors, and size, expertise, gender, age and geographical distribution. The term of members the Board shall be limited to four years, renewable once. Members of the Board should act with integrity and probity.2. The members of the ECF Strategic Stakeholders Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following a fair and transparent process and an open call for nominations by Member States or for expressions of interest, or both, whichever the Commission finds more appropriate. Members of the Board shall be appointed based on their scientific or practical expertise of the sectors, including knowledge of innovative technologies and business models, and investment environments. The composition of the Board shall ensure a balanced representation of relevant stakeholders, taking into account the need for sectoral balance, with particular attention to strategic sectors, organisation type, including private investors, and size, including SMEs’ representatives, expertise, gender and age and geographical distribution. The term of members of the Board shall be limited to four years, renewable once. Members of the Board shall act with integrity and probity.

Amendment 94

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. The Commission shall establish the detailed rules on selection and composition, remuneration, rules of procedure, conflicts of interest and confidentiality for the ECF Stakeholder Board. Members of the Board shall be bound by these terms.3. The Commission, in consultation with Member States, shall establish the detailed rules, based on excellence, on selection and composition, remuneration, rules of procedure, conflicts of interest and confidentiality for the ECF Stakeholder Board, as well as roles and responsibilities of its members, in order to enhance transparency, foster market confidence, and ensure accountability in the use of public funds. Members of the Board shall be bound by these terms.

Amendment 95

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. The ECF Strategic Stakeholder Board, informed by an observatory on emerging technologies, shall advise on the overall direction for the ECF, advise on long-term competitiveness trends, advise on areas of market failures and suboptimal investment situations that could be addressed in the implementation of the ECF, and advise on the identification of strategic portfolios of projects within and across activities of the ECF, for which it may be composed in different policy-oriented configurations.4. The ECF Strategic Stakeholder Board, informed by an observatory on emerging technologies, shall advise on the overall direction for the ECF, as regards the following:
(a) on long-term competitiveness trends and on areas of market failures and suboptimal investment situations that could be addressed in the implementation of the ECF;
(b) on the identification of strategic portfolios of projects within and across activities of the ECF, for which it may be composed in different policy-oriented configurations;
(c) how the ECF may continue to reduce unnecessary administrative requirements and provide clear information on accessing existing funding.
In this context, particular attention shall be paid to the role of intermediaries, including regional and local actors, in facilitating access to Union support, accompanying project promoters, ensuring an effective territorial deployment of the Fund and contributing to the long-term sustainable prosperity and resilience of the Union’s economy.

Amendment 96

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 11

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
11. The Commission shall ensure that stakeholders are consulted in the development of the work programmes, with the creation of one or several thematic platforms per window.11. The Commission shall ensure that a balanced representation of stakeholders, including SMEs’ representatives, is consulted in an open and inclusive manner on the development and implementation of the work programmes, with the creation of one or several thematic platforms per window.

Amendment 97

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) eligibility and award criteria;(c) eligibility and award criteria; award criteria set out in the work programmes shall be applied in addition to the fulfilment of the following criteria:
(i) the respect of Union law, including existing consumer protection requirements or regulatory harmonisation within the internal market, as well as applicable social, labour and environmental standards;
(ii) an evaluation of the foreseen European added value as defined in Article 2(3b);

Amendment 98

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ha) indicators of performance and impact, including non-economic impact.

Amendment 99

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2a. In light of Article 29, the work programmes shall describe in a specific dedicated part how they aim to support micro-companies and SMEs and how those work programmes can help in supporting their digitalisation as well as the digitalisation of administrative procedures.

Amendment 100

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2b. The work programmes shall adopt an integrated approach, including, inter alia, capital investment, digital and AI adoption, as well as continuous monitoring of the primary barriers and information gaps that exist for businesses applying for or drawing down ECF funding and identification of strategies to overcome those barriers and gaps.

Amendment 101

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2c. Work programmes shall ensure transparency, in line with the principles of equal treatment and proportionality.

Amendment 102

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2d. The work programmes shall address administrative barriers to applying for or drawing down ECF funding by reducing administrative requirements where necessary and providing for more flexible funding models.

Amendment 103

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2e. Applications for financing shall be designed in accordance with the principles of simplicity, proportionality, legal certainty and equal access, ensuring efficient and transparent evaluation times and procedures as well as meaningful and clear feedback to applicants. In order to reduce unnecessary administrative requirements, facilitate the participation of SMEs, in particular those with limited administrative capacity or facing additional barriers across the Union, streamline the application process, and with the sole aim of supporting applicants to the ECF from SMEs, targeted design options shall be considered, inter alia:
(i) a one-stop-shop portal for SMEs with information on all available supports providing, inter alia, comprehensive information on available support, the use of streamlined and standardised application procedures proportionate to the level of risk;
(ii) a standardised application form, with greater flexibility for non-high-risk applications from SMEs;
(iii) a fast-track SMEs procedure under which the time from submission to grant agreement shall not exceed 60 calendar days for SME-only calls for proposals, and accelerated evaluation timelines for SME-focused calls, without compromising quality, fairness of assessment or sound budgetary management and protection of EU financial interests; appropriate incentives to encourage strong SME participation in collaborative projects; and additional measures aimed at improving awareness and accessibility of the ECF for SMEs;
(iv) bonus scoring in the evaluation of all proposals led by an SME or where SMEs account for more than 50% of the members of a consortium;
(v) other options that serve to streamline the application process for SMEs, or increase the awareness and accessibility of the ECF for SMEs.

Amendment 104

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt the work programmes implementing the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), points (a), (b), (c) and (d) and for the horizontal activities in Chapter III. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 83(2).3. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt the work programmes, while ensuring sufficient flexibility to adapt to evolving needs, implementing the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), points (a), (b), (c) and (d) and for the horizontal activities in Chapter III. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 83(2).

Amendment 105

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3a. In the framework of the work programmes referred to in paragraph 3, the Commission shall ensure that unused funds in a given call for proposals are reallocated within the same field pursuing the objectives for each field, upholding principles of fairness, transparency and accountability.

Amendment 106

Proposal for a regulation

Article 17 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The work programmes may include dedicated two-stage bottom-up award procedures to identify and support EU Tech frontrunners through industry-driven consortia leveraging on their role as innovation and export drivers to strengthen their global competitive position along with their European SME suppliers through investments in new solutions and identification of relevant partners. Project preparation as well as crowding in of additional public and private capital may be supported.1. The work programmes may include dedicated two-stage bottom-up award procedures to identify and support EU Tech frontrunners through industry-driven consortia leveraging on their role as innovation and export drivers to strengthen their global competitive position along with their European SME suppliers through investments in new solutions and identification of relevant partners. Project preparation as well as crowding in of additional public and private capital shall be supported. Frontrunner consortia shall commit, where applicable, to interoperable architectures, federation, open and internationally recognised standards and compatibility with EU digital public infrastructures.

Amendment 107

Proposal for a regulation

Article 17 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. At the first stage, an open call for expression of interest for goods, works or services that might contribute to Union competitiveness in general, or in a specified sector, may be published without specification of the kind of activities or the instrument of budget implementation to be used.2. At the first stage, an open call for expression of interest shall be submitted via a simplified standard form available on the Startup Gateway. The administrative requirements for this stage shall be limited to the strict minimum.

Amendment 108

Proposal for a regulation

Article 17 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. Proposals and offers shall be evaluated and ranked based on common award criteria such as their comparative contribution to Union competitiveness.4. Proposals and offers shall be evaluated and ranked based on open competition and clear, strong and common award criteria founded on excellence, impact and quality, on their comparative contribution to Union competitiveness and innovation capacity, as well as on whether the proposal or offer was supported by an SME. In particular, the evaluation may, where relevant, take into account the applicant’s capacity to scale across the Single Market, including through cross-border activities and integrated value chains.

Amendment 109

Proposal for a regulation

Article 18 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure shall set out additional conditions to ensure that the support is necessary and proportionate, excluding overcompensation and double funding, is temporary and decreases over time.2. The work programme or the documents related to the award procedure shall set out additional conditions to ensure that the support is necessary and proportionate, including whether the applicant is, or supports a start-up, a scale-up and an SME, excluding overcompensation and double funding, is temporary and decreases over time.

Amendment 110

Proposal for a regulation

Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) the follow-on projects based on results from IPCEIs, conditional on significant private investments.(b) the follow-on projects based on results from IPCEIs, conditional on generating significant private investments.

Amendment 111

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. In order to create or facilitate the possibility of Union support to actions of imperative public interest or critical time-sensitivity, which could otherwise not be effectively implemented under the normal rules applicable to the Union budget or sectoral policies, the work programmes may identify certain award procedures, under direct or indirect management, that may benefit from certain additions, exceptions, and derogations from applicable law, during the award procedure or implementation of the supported activities, under all of the following the conditions:1. In order to create or facilitate the possibility of Union support to actions of imperative public interest or critical time-sensitivity, which could otherwise not be effectively implemented under the normal rules applicable to the Union budget or sectoral policies, the work programmes may identify certain award procedures, under direct or indirect management, that may benefit from certain additions, exceptions, and derogations from applicable law, during the award procedure or implementation of the supported activities, under all of the following the conditions. Any such additions, exceptions or derogations shall be duly justified on the basis of objective, transparent and proportionate criteria, as well as documented and subject to safeguards in order to prevent arbitrariness and unjustified exclusion of potential beneficiaries or eligible actors:

Amendment 112

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(aa) for all award procedures under the 'EU Tech Frontrunners' mechanism referred to in Article 17, and dedicated SME actions referred to in Article 29, the time-to-grant shall not exceed 100 days from the closure of the call for proposals. Applicants shall be informed of the outcome of the evaluation of their application within 60 days of the closure of the call;

Amendment 113

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) the action is duly justified by an imperative public interest, and/or is of a time-sensitive nature, or both;(b) the action is duly justified by an imperative public interest, and/or is of a time-sensitive nature, or both; such justification shall be documented and proportionate to the envisaged derogations, and shall demonstrate that the chosen approach does not unduly restrict access to Union support for relevant stakeholders;

Amendment 114

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ca) the action does not undermine SMEs’ equal access to funding.

Amendment 115

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(1) limit the requirements for the award decision and signature of legal commitments to a preliminary evaluation of award and exclusion criteria; the award decision shall be taken based solely on a self-declaration of applicants and tenderers on selection and eligibility criteria without request for corresponding supporting documents during pre-evaluation; the final evaluation, including for selection and eligibility criteria, and the requests for any relevant supporting documents shall be conducted within three months of the signature of the legal commitment; and,(1) limit the requirements for the award decision and signature of legal commitments to a preliminary evaluation of award and exclusion criteria; the award decision shall be taken based solely on a self-declaration of applicants and tenderers on selection and eligibility criteria without request for corresponding supporting documents during pre-evaluation; the final evaluation, including for selection and eligibility criteria, and the requests for any relevant supporting documents shall be conducted within three months of the signature of the legal commitment; applicants who have previously submitted supporting documents to any Union programme shall not be required to re-submit such documents; and,

Amendment 116

Proposal for a regulation

Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3a. The use of targeted, accelerated or inducement interventions shall be subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure transparency, accountability and equal access, and shall not lead to market imbalances or exclusion of eligible actors.

Amendment 117

Proposal for a regulation

Article 22 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The ECF InvestEU Instrument shall serve as the Union’s integrated platform for delivering targeted financial support to companies across all development phases start-ups, scale-ups, including those actively pursuing manufacturing, industrial and market deployment. It shall ensure that high-potential European companies developing or deploying innovative solutions can access the capital and resources to grow in the Union, thus strengthening the integration of the Single market and the Savings and Investment Union.1. The ECF InvestEU Instrument shall serve as the Union’s integrated platform for delivering targeted financial support to companies across all development phases, in particular start-ups and scale-ups, including those actively pursuing manufacturing, industrial and market deployment. It shall ensure that high-potential European companies developing or deploying innovative solutions can access the capital and resources to grow in the Union, thus strengthening the integration of the Single market and the Savings and Investment Union.

Amendment 118

Proposal for a regulation

Article 22 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The Commission shall in particular develop a Scale-up facility in cooperation with the EIB Group, other international financial institutions and National Promotional Banks. The facility shall provide in a coordinated and consistent manner, a comprehensive set of financing tools tailored to the unique needs of scale-ups, including indirect and direct equity and quasi-equity, venture debt, loans, guarantees and blended finance, with a view to attract private investors in supporting scale up financing and facilitate exit options. The facility shall target SMEs and small mid-cap companies and Mid-cap companies.2. The Commission shall in particular develop a Scale-up facility in cooperation with the EIB Group, other international financial institutions and National Promotional Banks. The facility shall provide in a coordinated and consistent manner, a comprehensive set of financing tools tailored to the unique needs of scale-ups, including indirect and direct equity and quasi-equity, venture debt, loans, guarantees and blended finance, with a view to attract private investors in supporting scale up financing and facilitate exit options. The facility shall particularly target SMEs, as well as small mid-cap companies.

Amendment 119

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. A centralised access to advisory and business acceleration services shall be provided, which may include:2. A single centralised access to advisory and business acceleration services shall be provided, including the 'Startup Gateway' referred to in Article 29(1b), which shall include:

Amendment 120

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) investment advisory services, including market development activities and advisory support for the identification, preparation, development, structuring, procuring and implementation of investment projects, and for enhancing the capacity of project promoters and financial intermediaries to implement financing and investment operations and improve the understanding and use of financial instruments to exploit their full potential. Such support may cover any stage of the life cycle of a project or financing of a supported entity;(a) investment advisory services, which may cover any stage of the life cycle of a project or financing of a supported entity, including:
(i) market development activities;
(ii) advisory support for the identification, preparation, development, structuring, financing, procuring, implementation and management of investment projects;
(iii) advisory support for enhancing the capacity of project promoters and financial intermediaries to implement financing and investment operations and improve the understanding and use of financial instruments to exploit their full potential;
(iv) opportunities for regular consultation with and feedback from qualifying businesses;

Amendment 121

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) business coaching and acceleration services targeting potential ECF beneficiaries and other project promoters, including SMEs and mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups, supporting and facilitating their access to ECF funding and financing, and facilitating matchmaking with private investors and promoting financial literacy of entrepreneurs, including understanding of the opportunities offered by capital market based financing;(b) business coaching and acceleration services targeting potential ECF beneficiaries and other project promoters, including particularly SMEs, micro-companies, small mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups, which shall include:
(i) accessible information and guidance on accessing and applying for ECF funding;
(ii) accessible information on acceleration services;
(iii) supporting and facilitating access to ECF funding and financing;
(iv) facilitating matchmaking with private investors;
(v) promoting financial literacy of entrepreneurs, including understanding of the opportunities offered by capital market based financing;
(vi) options for business mentoring and exchange of best practices with other ECF beneficiaries or other project promoters, including, inter alia, in relation to administrative matters and accessing capital market based financing;
(vii) recommendations for legal or financial advisory support when required;

Amendment 122

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ba) additional support if deemed necessary;

Amendment 123

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. Project advisory shall, among others, support the generation of project pipelines and the development of potential investment projects under the ECF InvestEU Instrument and contribute to their further development. Project advisory shall also cooperate with industrial alliances and European clusters. Project advisory shall be available under each policy window referred, covering sectors under that window. In addition, advisory support may cover general objectives and cross-cutting actions.3. Project advisory shall, among others, support the generation of project pipelines and encouragement and development of potential investment projects under the ECF InvestEU Instrument and contribute to their further development. Project advisory shall also cooperate with industrial alliances and European clusters. Project advisory shall be available under each policy window referred, covering sectors under that window. In addition, advisory support may cover cross-cutting actions. .

Amendment 124

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. The Commission may conclude advisory agreements with advisory partners and service providers in line with the needs of each policy windows. The Commission and the advisory partners, including the EIB Group, shall cooperate closely with a view to ensuring efficiency, synergies and effective geographic coverage across the Union, while taking account of existing structures and work.4. The Commission may conclude advisory agreements with advisory partners and service providers in line with the needs of each policy window. Existing agreements with advisory partners and service providers at national level may also be recognised, provided they are fully recognised and authorised to provide the relevant advice or service in the relevant Member State. The Commission and the advisory partners, including the EIB Group, shall cooperate closely with a view to ensuring efficiency, synergies and effective geographic coverage across the Union, while taking account of existing structures and work.

Amendment 125

Proposal for a regulation

Article 26 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
6. When implementing the Project Advisory, the Commission, its advisory partners and other service providers shall, when appropriate, collaborate with other Union or national public or private advisory and support service providers, including the EU for Business Network.6. When implementing the Project Advisory, the Commission, its advisory partners and other service providers shall, when appropriate, collaborate with other Union or national public or private advisory and support service providers, including the EU for Business Network, and shall ensure that advisory services operating at territorial level are prioritised and adequately supported, given their direct link with SMEs.

Amendment 126

Proposal for a regulation

Article 27 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. “EU for Business” Network shall be established to help Union businesses become more competitive and innovate, grow and scale in the Single Market and beyond, with a particular emphasis on SMEs, startups, scaleups and small mid-cap companies. The network shall have a Union-wide and geographically balanced coverage, taking into account the specificities of all types of regions in the Union, including the less developed regions and the Union outermost regions.1. The “EU for Business” Network shall be established.

Amendment 127

Proposal for a regulation

Article 27 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. The objective of the “EU for Business” Network is to enhance consultation, learning and collaboration with European SMEs to help Union businesses become more competitive, sustainable and innovative, to grow and scale in the Single Market and beyond, with a particular emphasis on SMEs, micro companies, startups, scale-ups and small mid-cap companies, in order to ensure that businesses, including start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and small mid-cap companies have clear roles in shaping priorities, designing calls and overseeing implementation.

Amendment 128

Proposal for a regulation

Article 27 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. The “EU for Business” Network shall, throughout all stages of the programme cycle, ensure accessible and inclusive information exchange and provide structured opportunities for dialogue and feedback with businesses, in particular SMEs, with a view to facilitating participation in and access to support under the ECF. The Network shall enhance programme uptake and ensure a broad involvement of relevant stakeholders, including business associations and European Digital Innovation Hubs, with a particular focus on facilitating SMEs’ effective access to funding.

Amendment 129

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The ECF shall conduct cross-cutting activities focused on strengthening the competitiveness of the SMEs and achieve additionality at Union level, including through the following measures:1. The ECF shall conduct cross-cutting activities focused on strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs, as well as micro and small companies, supporting their ability to scale where they contribute to the Union’s competitiveness, market dynamism and innovation, and achieve additionality at Union level, including through the following measures:

Amendment 130

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) provision of integrated business advice and support to companies, including through financial support to third parties;(a) provision of integrated business advice and support to companies, particularly SMEs, including through guidance and assistance when applying for funding and financial support to third parties;

Amendment 131

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) promoting business understanding of Union policies, obtaining feedback on their effectiveness;(d) promoting business understanding of Union policies to foster compliance, and timely and correct implementation, obtaining feedback on their effectiveness;

Amendment 132

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point f

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(f) facilitation access to markets including through support to the internationalisation of SMEs and provision of market intelligence, including in less developed regions and outermost regions;(f) facilitation access to markets including through support to the internationalisation of SMEs and provision of market intelligence, sharing of information and facilitation of best practice on trading across international borders, including in less developed regions and outermost regions and with third countries;

Amendment 133

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point g

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(g) improving the business environment for SMEs and promote new business opportunities for SMEs by supporting among others intellectual property valorisation, standard setting and public procurement;(g) improving the business environment for SMEs and promote new business opportunities for SMEs, support the digital transformation of SMEs, contributing to a resilient economy by supporting among others intellectual property valorisation, standard setting, reducing unnecessary regulatory requirements, and public procurement;

Amendment 134

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ga) providing improved information and training on how to access existing funding opportunities;

Amendment 135

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(gb) providing opportunities for ongoing consultation so that businesses can have a voice in the design of the priorities, calls and implementation;

Amendment 136

Proposal for a regulation

Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point h

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(h) promoting entrepreneurship, including women and youth entrepreneurship and the acquisition of entrepreneurial and business skills.(h) promoting entrepreneurship, including women and youth entrepreneurship and the acquisition of knowledge about Union law as well as entrepreneurial and business skills and contributing to the high-quality training of SMEs’ staff.

Amendment 137

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 – paragraph -1 (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
-1. The Fund shall ensure fair and effective access to support for entities of all sizes; especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, including those located in less developed, outermost or industrial transition regions. The Commission shall establish simplified access and technical assistance mechanisms dedicated to SMEs. In order to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate participation, the implementation of the ECF shall apply the “only once” principle, enabling beneficiaries to submit required administrative and supporting documentation only once to the relevant managing or implementing authority. Where appropriate, such information shall be securely reused and shared between competent Union and national bodies, in compliance with applicable data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Amendment 138

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. Each window shall support dedicated, sector-specific actions targeting start-ups, SMEs and small mid-cap companies or calls for SMEs in strategic sectors with a view to fostering innovation, business acceleration, commercialisation and scaling-up.1. Each window shall support dedicated, sector-specific actions targeting start-ups, SMEs and small mid-cap companies or calls for SMEs in strategic sectors with a view to fostering competition, innovation, business acceleration, commercialisation and scaling-up.

Amendment 139

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. Dedicated, sector-specific actions may include adapting the recommendations for the work programmes set out in Article 15, paragraph 2d, for the explicit purpose of encouraging or increasing sector-specific support for SMEs.

Amendment 140

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. To facilitate the participation of the entities referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall feature a dedicated 'Startup Gateway' user interface within the single portal. That Gateway shall act as a dedicated entry point for start-ups and SMEs, aggregating all relevant funding opportunities, advisory services and investor matchmaking tools and shall operate in collaboration with the work of the EU For Business Network established under Article 27.

Amendment 141

Proposal for a regulation

Article 29 – paragraph 1 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1c. In coherence with the development of a 28th regime aimed at reducing fragmentation for innovative companies, the Startup Gateway shall support the cross-border development of start-ups and SMEs within the single portal by facilitating the portability and reuse of verifiable company information and certifications across Member States, including through access to data made available via existing Union interconnection systems such as business registries, without creating parallel administrative registers.

Amendment 142

Proposal for a regulation

Article 30 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The ECF shall finance activities in support of skills development, in particular in the strategic sectors, building strong links between higher education, vocational education and training providers, applied research and businesses for an agile, innovative and competitive economy. This shall include support for a European Skills Guarantee to support value chain transitions in favour of strategic growth sectors or occupations across the labour market through upskilling and reskilling of the workforce and Vocational Education and Training (VET) partnerships to strengthen cooperation between VET providers and businesses, especially SMEs and connecting them with regional industrial ecosystems.1. The ECF shall finance activities in support of skills development and implementation, in particular in the strategic sectors, building strong links between higher education, vocational education and training providers, applied research and businesses for an agile, innovative and competitive economy. This shall include support for a European Skills Guarantee to support value chain transitions in favour of strategic growth sectors or occupations across the labour market through upskilling and reskilling of the workforce and Vocational Education and Training (VET) partnerships to strengthen cooperation between VET providers and businesses, especially SMEs and connecting them with regional industrial ecosystems. The implementation of this Article shall not undermine Member States’ competence in education matters

Amendment 143

Proposal for a regulation

Article 31 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. In accordance with Article 150 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the ECF shall contribute to the maintenance and extension of the single electronic data interchange area for participants to ensure simplified access to Union funding. That contribution shall be irrespective of the mode or instrument of budget implementation and including advisory and business acceleration services and support to a single gateway for access to Union support in accordance with Regulation (EU) [XXX] [Performance Regulation].1. In accordance with Article 150 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the ECF shall contribute to the maintenance and extension of the single electronic data interchange area and ensure full interoperability with the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS) established under Regulation (EU) 2018/1724. The single electronic data interchange area shall automatically retrieve relevant company data and documents from national registries, ensuring that applicants are not requested to resubmit information already held by Union institutions or national authorities.

Amendment 144

Proposal for a regulation

Article 31 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. The single portal centralising information on and access to all Union funding opportunities shall be fully integrated with the European Digital Identity Wallets established under Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and the European Business Wallets to be established under Regulation …/… [Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of European Business Wallets - 2025/0358 (COD)]. The portal shall allow beneficiaries to use their Wallet for authentication, the signing of grant agreements and contracts, and the management of payments.

Amendment 145

Proposal for a regulation

Article 31 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. In order to ensure that access to Union funding under the ECF is user-oriented, the Commission shall monitor and publish, on an annual basis, key performance indicators relating to unnecessary administrative requirements experienced by applicants and beneficiaries. Those indicators shall include, in particular:
(a) average time-to-inform and time-to-grant;
(b) the volume and frequency of supporting documents requested from applicants;
(c) the extent to which data submitted by beneficiaries are reused through the Once-Only Technical System (OOTS)..
The Commission shall take these indicators into account when implementing access to funding under the ECF.

Amendment 146

Proposal for a regulation

Article 31 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The ECF may support any additional activities to facilitate and accelerate access to Union funding, and other funding, financing and investments, as well as to ensure valorisation and uptake of results through tools and instruments such as proof of concept, deployment grants, advisory and business support services, and any dedicated platform.2. The ECF may support any additional activities to facilitate and accelerate access to Union funding, and other funding, financing and investments, as well as to ensure valorisation and uptake of results through tools and instruments such as proof of concept, deployment grants, advisory and business support services, and any dedicated platform, including for entities from Transition and Widening countries that apply for support for projects under this Regulation.

Amendment 147

Proposal for a regulation

Article 38 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. To achieve the general objectives, the Digital Leadership window shall, where appropriate and justified, support actions that:
(a) foster European excellence by prioritising the scale-up of technologies where there is potential for export;
(b) enable strategic activities by identifying and investing in specific segments of the global digital value chain where the Union can establish a leading market position, thereby enhancing the Union's geopolitical and economic leverage;
(c) secure supply chains by supporting the building and maintaining of end-to-end industrial capacities for digital or enabling technologies identified as critical to the Union’s economic security, in particular AI, semiconductors, social media and marketing platforms, web search and online advertising systems;
(d) enhance services, interoperability and standardisation to support the development, deployment and cross-border uptake of digital services, as well as the elaboration, implementation and international promotion of European standards, for the purpose of strengthening the functioning of the Single Market and maximising European added value.

Amendment 148

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. Support for digital leadership shall address, in a comprehensive and coherent manner, the entire scope of the digital sector, such as Artificial Intelligence, (including AI Factories and Gigafactories), high performance computing, quantum technologies, semiconductors and photonics, robotics, large data technologies, telco-edge and cloud technologies, 6G and other wireless technologies, communication networks, advanced connectivity, including 6G and other wireless technologies, sensing technologies, cybersecurity and network resilience, software engineering, augmented reality and virtual worlds, digital twins, Union digital identity and business wallets, trust technologies, new and emerging digital technologies as well as cross-sectoral digital technologies and applications, including those with dual-use potential, support for data technologies and data spaces.1. Support for digital leadership shall address, in a comprehensive and coherent manner, the entire scope of the digital sector, such as Artificial Intelligence, (including Large Language Models, AI Factories and Gigafactories), data sharing, high performance computing, quantum technologies, semiconductors and photonics, robotics, large search and data technologies, telco-edge and cloud technologies, 6G and other wireless technologies, media and online platforms, data centres, communication networks, fibre optics, advanced connectivity, including 6G and other wireless technologies, sensing technologies, cybersecurity and network resilience, software engineering, augmented reality and virtual worlds, digital twins, Union digital identity and business wallets, trust technologies, new and emerging digital technologies as well as cross-sectoral digital technologies and applications, including those with dual-use potential, support for data technologies and data spaces, as well as for SMEs. Support shall be based on the principle of technological neutrality and shall prioritise innovation, competitiveness, and excellence.

Amendment 149

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies through research and innovation, applied research, technology transfer, industrial deployment, and market uptake. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, developing and shaping sustainable core digital technologies that reflect Union values, safeguard the Union’s security and foster its competitiveness globally.(a) Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies and establishing the Union as a leading global actor through research and innovation, applied research, technology transfer, industrial deployment, and market uptake, including for SMEs. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, developing and shaping sustainable core digital technologies that reflect Union values, safeguard the Union’s security and foster its competitiveness globally. The focus shall be on high-quality output, a competitive, innovative, efficient and dynamic European economy, and improved support for technology start-up companies.

Amendment 150

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) Achieving technological sovereignty by building resilient digital ecosystems, including advanced digital skills, and ensuring a high-level of cybersecurity in the Union. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, creating an attractive ecosystem for disruptive innovative companies, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, as well as emerging industry leaders in the digital sector to remain, grow and thrive within the Union, supporting them in scaling up, expanding their markets, including through procurement, and contributing to the Union’s digital sovereignty, with a focus on addressing the complexity of the technological value chains, standardisation, the security of supply of advanced digital technologies, infrastructures, and services, needed capacities, including manufacturing, production capacity, and advanced digital skills both in the private and public sectors.(b) Achieving technological sovereignty by building resilient competitive, innovative and digital ecosystems, including advanced digital skills and literacy, and ensuring a high-level of cybersecurity in the Union. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) creating an attractive ecosystem for disruptive innovative companies, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, as well as emerging industry leaders and strategic companies in the digital and technological sectors to remain, grow and thrive within the Union and as key players at global scale,
(ii) supporting the companies referred to in point (b)(i) of this paragraph in scaling up, expanding their markets, including through procurement, building on existing Union approaches to strengthen resilient industrial value chains and contributing to the Union’s digital sovereignty on a meritocratic basis, based on excellence, with a focus on addressing the complexity of the technological value chains, and meeting market demand,
(iii) improving competition in the European market, standardisation, the security of supply of advanced digital technologies, infrastructures, and services, and market requirements, including manufacturing, production capacity, and advanced digital skills both in the private and public sectors.

Amendment 151

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying state-of-the-art and sustainable digital applications, infrastructures and services across the Union. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, actions to research and innovate, develop, produce, manufacture, or deploy advanced digital infrastructures at scale across the Union (e.g. high-performance computing, telco-cloud-edge, AI Factories and Gigafactories, data and data spaces, testing and experimentation facilities, semiconductor, photonics and quantum chips pilot lines, quantum computing, communication and sensing infrastructures, cybersecurity hubs, the EU for Business Network, European Digital Innovation Hubs, advanced connectivity infrastructures including submarine cables and non-terrestrial networks), the EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services as well as the European Business Wallets and services, secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure, to act as a key enabler of the digital transformation and in support of societal resilience and preparedness, bringing clear added-value to businesses, public services and citizens. Where relevant, these actions shall be coordinated with national investments and shall otherwise exploit untapped potential to create a domestic market for advanced digital technologies ‘made in Europe’. Such actions may be provided under the framework of Multi-Country Projects established in accordance with Decision (EU) 2022/2481, including notably those implemented through the European Digital Infrastructure Consortia or Joint Undertakings.(c) Supporting the ongoing digitalisation of businesses, society, and for the benefit of consumers, including through the deployment of state-of-the-art, innovative and resilient digital applications, infrastructures and services across the Union. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to,
(i) actions to research and innovate, develop, produce, manufacture, build, upgrade, deploy or support the deployment of advanced digital infrastructures, (e.g. high-performance computing, telco-cloud-edge, Large Language Models, AI Factories and Gigafactories, data centres, data and data spaces, testing and experimentation facilities, semiconductor, photonics and quantum chips pilot lines, quantum computing, communication and sensing infrastructures, cybersecurity hubs, the EU for Business Network, European Digital Innovation Hubs, advanced connectivity infrastructures including fibre optics, submarine cables and non-terrestrial networks), including at scale across the Union based on measurable targets;
(ii) actions referred to in point (c)(i) of this paragraph to support the EU Digital Identity Wallets, data sharing interfaces, and trust services as well as the European Business Wallets and services, secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure, including, where appropriate, open-source European Digital Public Infrastructure and related software;
(iii) actions referred to in point (c)(i) of this paragraph to support digital literacy, including raising awareness of online risks and opportunities, and dissemination of digital knowledge and skills from an early age, to act as a key enabler of the digital transformation and in support of societal resilience and preparedness, to strengthen confidence in digital transformation and online safety, and to protect citizens in the digital environment, particularly minors, bringing clear added-value to businesses, public services and citizens, including young people.
Where relevant, these actions shall be coordinated with national investments including to exploit untapped potential to meet domestic market demand for advanced digital technologies manufactured in Europe. Such actions may be provided under the framework of Multi-Country Projects established in accordance with Decision (EU) 2022/2481, including notably those implemented through the European Digital Infrastructure Consortia or Joint Undertakings.

Amendment 152

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) Supporting the Union’s digital transformation of public and private sectors, including to support the development and the circulation of digital skills. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, providing the necessary support to accelerating and deepening the uptake and deployment of digital solutions across economic sectors, through research, innovation and deployment, to boost their productivity and competitiveness, with a focus on more complex technologies, as well as to achieve societal benefits. Support to public sector applications as well as the broader digitalisation of the public sector shall aim at ensuring a cohesive Union-wide interoperable digital public services landscape, support technological sovereignty, maximising their efficiency for businesses and citizens. The digital transformation of economic and public sectors shall also be supported by the other sectoral windows of the ECF.(d) Supporting the Union’s increase in productivity through digital technologies uptake and the digital transformation of public and private sectors, including to support the development and the circulation of digital skills. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) providing the necessary support to accelerating and deepening the uptake and deployment of digital solutions across economic sectors, through research, innovation and deployment, to boost their productivity and competitiveness, with a focus on more complex technologies, as well as to achieve societal benefits.
(ii) reinforcing the Union’s open strategic autonomy by supporting core digital infrastructure and services related to online communications, platforms, and the digital economy, including, but not limited to, social media applications, search engines, cloud software, digital advertising solutions, mobile and desktop operating systems and hosting infrastructure;
Support for public sector applications as well as the broader digitalisation of the public sector shall aim at ensuring a cohesive Union-wide interoperable digital public services landscape, support technological sovereignty, maximising their efficiency for businesses and citizens. The digital transformation of economic and public sectors shall also be supported by the other sectoral windows of the ECF. Support for the private sector shall include support for the training, upskilling and digitalisation of SMEs and SMEs offerings, as well as improved financial support for digital innovation, productivity and competitiveness, while reducing red tape and unnecessary administrative requirements for SMEs.

Amendment 153

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point e

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(e) Support actions for the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant Union legislation and policy. This includes supporting the relevant institutions, the cooperation between national authorities and with stakeholders, studies, the development and deployment of tools and infrastructures, including IT infrastructure and tools.(e) Strengthen the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant Union legislation and policy. This includes supporting the relevant institutions, the cooperation between national authorities and with stakeholders, studies, the development and deployment of tools and infrastructures, including IT infrastructure and tools.

Amendment 154

Proposal for a regulation

Article 39 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. Activities under this Section shall support the development, deployment and procurement of advanced cybersecurity capacities, infrastructures, technologies and capabilities, with a view to ensure the security of critical infrastructures & digital supply chains, develop an Union situational picture of the threat landscape as well as improve detection capacities and incident response capabilities; supporting the competitiveness of the Union cybersecurity industrial base, cybersecurity skills development together with the cyber maturity of the European industrial basis, including SMEs.3. Activities under this Section shall support the development, deployment and procurement of advanced cybersecurity capacities, infrastructures, technologies, skills and capabilities, with a view to ensure the security of critical infrastructures & digital supply chains, develop a Union-wide picture of the threat landscape as well as improve detection capacities and incident response capabilities; support the digitalisation of the economy, helping businesses to grow and scale their digital offerings, supporting the competitiveness of the Union cybersecurity industrial base, cybersecurity skills development together with the cyber maturity of the European industrial basis, including for micro-enterprises, SMEs, and small mid-cap companies.

Amendment 155

Proposal for a regulation

Article 40 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. Actions supported under this Section shall contribute to the general objectives set out in Article 3(1) and the specific objectives set out in Article 3(2), point (d).1. Actions supported under this Section shall contribute to the general objectives set out in Article 3(1) and the specific objectives set out in Article 3(2), point (d). They shall be implemented in full compliance with the principles of the internal market.

Amendment 156

Proposal for a regulation

Article 65 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The Union shall foster an autonomous and resilient access to space, by supporting European reliable and cost-efficient launch services together with a cohesive European approach, taking into account the essential security interests of the Union and its Member-States.2. The Union shall foster an autonomous and resilient access to space, by supporting the reliability and cost-efficiency of European launch services together with a cohesive European approach, taking into account the essential security interests of the Union and its Member-States.

Amendment 157

Proposal for a regulation

Article 65 – paragraph 3 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) procurement and aggregation of launch services for the needs of the Union and, at their request, aggregation and joint procurement of launch services for the needs of Member States, international organisations, and other public entities;(a) procurement and aggregation of launch services for the needs of the Union and, at their request, aggregation and joint procurement to support the procurement of launch services for the needs of Member States, international organisations, and other public entities, in order for the Commission to incentivize the use of European launchers by Member States;

Amendment 158

Proposal for a regulation

Article 69 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
When awarding contracts or providing financial support under the ECF for the provision of critical services, infrastructure, technologies or data, contracting authorities and implementing bodies shall ensure that selected operators comply with applicable Union standards relating to security, resilience and regulatory supervision.

Amendment 159

Proposal for a regulation

Article 84 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 84a
Reporting
The Commission shall publish an annual report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the application of this Regulation, including the share of ECF funding awarded to SMEs under each window and the average time-to-grant for proposals that come from SMEs.
Annex: declaration of input 4 paragraphs

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she included in her opinion input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that she received, in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register
IBEC (Irish Business and Employers Federation)
Chambers Ireland
ISME Ltd
2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies
None

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

Procedure pages

How the committees handled the text, and how their members voted on it.

Procedure – committee asked for opinion 1 paragraph
TitleEstablishing the European Competitiveness Fund (’ECF’), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities
ReferencesCOM(2025)0555 – C10-0165/2025 – 2025/0555(COD)
Committee(s) responsible Date announced in plenaryITRE 23.10.2025
Opinion by Date announced in plenaryIMCO 23.10.2025
Rapporteur for opinion Date appointedRegina Doherty 21.1.2026
Discussed in committee25.9.202526.2.202624.3.2026
Date adopted7.5.2026
Result of final vote+: –: 0:38 5 0
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 paragraphs

38 · For

ECR
Stefano Cavedagna, Denis Nesci, Mariateresa Vivaldini
EPP
Peter Agius, Pablo Arias Echeverría, Pascal Arimont, Regina Doherty, Christian Doleschal, Gheorghe Falcă, Dirk Gotink, Arba Kokalari, Andreas Schwab, Tomislav Sokol, Adina Vălean, Marion Walsmann, Tomáš Zdechovský
Patriots
Jaroslav Bžoch, Sebastian Kruis, Jana Nagyová, Pál Szekeres
Renew
Asger Christensen, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Svenja Hahn, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Nikola Minchev, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
S&D
Marc Angel, Biljana Borzan, José Cepeda, Adnan Dibrani, Giorgio Gori, Elisabeth Grossmann, Pierre Jouvet, Bernd Lange, Christel Schaldemose
Greens
Anna Cavazzini, Katrin Langensiepen, Rasmus Nordqvist

5 · Against

ESN
Irmhild Boßdorf, Milan Mazurek
Patriots
Elisabeth Dieringer
The Left
Leila Chaibi, Gaetano Pedulla'

0 · Abstained