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report parliamentary committee draft, 13 July 2026

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU)   [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

Document REGI-PR-790942 · (COM(2025)0552 – C10168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD))

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Pascal Arimont, Marcos Ros Sempere

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AI:In short

This is the rapporteur's draft report on the proposed regulation setting up the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund for 2028 to 2034, including European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg). It proposes amendments that set out the tasks and specific objectives of the two funds, their budgets and the share of ERDF money for each category of region. It adds rules on partnership and multi-level governance, integrated territorial and urban development, rural development, social and affordable public housing, and place-based innovation. It lays down the strands of Interreg, their geographical coverage, resources, co-financing rates, and rules on managing authorities, monitoring committees and payments. It also adds a mid-term review, a Build Back Better reprogramming mechanism, and a template for the Interreg Plan chapter.

Position. The rapporteurs propose to amend the Commission proposal by adding objectives, budget figures, partnership and territorial development rules, Interreg provisions, a mid-term review and a chapter template.

Key points

  1. The regulation sets out the objectives and scope of support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, linked to five general objectives in the NRP Regulation.
  2. It defines the tasks of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, including reducing disparities between regions and funding environment and transport network projects.
  3. It lists specific objectives for the funds, covering competitiveness and innovation, sustainability and connectivity, social cohesion, defence and security capabilities, and fundamental rights and democracy.
  4. The funds may also support administrative capacity, capacity of local actors, and cooperation between partners, including cross-border and macro-regional cooperation.
  5. It sets the ERDF financial envelope at EUR 248 370 000 000 and the Cohesion Fund at EUR 46 990 000 000 in current prices, with Cohesion Fund support for Member States below 90 % of average GNI per capita.
  6. ERDF resources are allocated as 72,9 % for less developed regions, 17,2 % for transition regions and 9,9 % for more developed regions.
  7. Member States must organise a partnership including regional and local authorities, economic and social partners, civil society and others, under multi-level governance and the European Code of Conduct on Partnership.
  8. Member States must allocate at least 10 % of ERDF and, where applicable, Cohesion Fund resources to rural development, and at least 10 % to sustainable social and affordable public housing.
  9. A Build Back Better mechanism lets Member States redirect ERDF resources to reconstruction after a recognised natural disaster, capped at the lower of 10 % of the programme allocation or the direct damage.
  10. Each Member State must review progress by 31 March 2031, the Commission must report by 30 September 2031, and Parliament must express its position within six months.
  11. Interreg covers cross-border, transnational, interregional and outermost regions' cooperation, with a financial envelope of EUR 11 570 000 000 split across the four strands.
  12. Co-financing rates are set at up to 80 % for Interreg chapters and up to 85 % for outermost regions' cooperation, with a national contribution of at least 20 %.

Who is affected

  • Member States and their regions, which must set up partnerships, allocate minimum shares to rural development and housing, and carry out a mid-term review.
  • Managing authorities of Interreg Plan chapters, which prepare and negotiate chapters and submit payment applications.
  • Non-Member States and partner countries participating in Interreg cooperation, which may need financing or implementing agreements.
  • Beneficiaries of building renovation support, who must repay support if a building is sold or converted within 10 years.
  • Urban authorities and cities, which may take part in the European Urban Initiative and URBACT.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 248 370 000 000 in current prices — the financial envelope of the ERDF.
  • EUR 46 990 000 000 in current prices — the financial envelope of the Cohesion Fund.
  • 90 % of the EU average GNI per capita — the threshold for Cohesion Fund allocations.
  • 72,9 % for less developed regions, 17,2 % for transition regions and 9,9 % for more developed regions — the split of ERDF resources by category of region.
  • At least 10 % of ERDF and, where applicable, Cohesion Fund resources — the minimum allocation to rural development.
  • At least 10 % of ERDF and, where applicable, Cohesion Fund resources — the minimum allocation to sustainable social and affordable public housing.
  • EUR 11 570 000 000 in current prices — the financial envelope for the Interreg Plan.
  • 72,2 % (EUR 8 353 540 000), 18,2 % (EUR 2 105 740 000), 6,1 % (EUR 705 770 000) and 3,5 % (EUR 404 950 000) — the shares for Interreg strands A, B, C and D.

Legal basis. Article 294(2) and Articles 177, 178 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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

Full text

Jump to an amendment (121)
Draft european parliament legislative resolution 723 paragraphs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

(COM(2025)0552 – C100168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0552),

–having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 177, 178 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100168/2025),

–having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,

–having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 3 of December 2025,

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 6 May 2026,

–having regard to Rules 60 and 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

Read the rest (711 paragraphs)

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Regional Development (A100000/2026),

1.Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
This Regulation lays down specific conditions for the implementation of Union support in accordance with the general objectives laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], and in particular point (a) and (e) thereof.This Regulation sets out specific objectives and the scope of support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund with regard to the following general objectives laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) .../... [NRP Regulation]:
- to foster a more competitive and innovative Union (GO1);
- to promote a more sustainable, better connected and resilient Union (GO2);
- to strengthen social cohesion and the Union’s societies and social model (GO3);
- to support the Union’s defence and security capabilities, with a special focus on dual-use capabilities (GO4);
- to protect and strengthen fundamental rights, democracy, equality, rule of law and to uphold Union values in accordance with Article 2 TEU (GO5).

Or. en

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
It also lays down the provisions necessary for the implementation of Union support for the promotion of European territorial cooperation (‘Interreg’) with a view to fostering cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and third countries, partner countries, other territories or overseas countries and territories (OCTs), or regional integration and cooperation organisations.This Regulation also lays down the provisions necessary for the implementation of Union support for the promotion of European territorial cooperation (‘Interreg’) with a view to fostering cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and non-Member States, or regional integration and cooperation organisations.

Or. en

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
It sets out the Interreg-specific objectives as well as the organisation of Interreg, the eligibility criteria for Member States and non-Member States, the financial resources, and the criteria for the allocation of those financial resources.

Or. en

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 1a
Tasks of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund
1. The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall, through their support, contribute to promoting the overall harmonious development of the Union and to strengthening its economic, social and territorial cohesion, in accordance with Article 174(1) TFEU.
2. The ERDF shall, in particular, contribute to reducing disparities between the levels of development across and within all categories of regions within the Union, and to reducing the backwardness of the least favoured regions through participation in the structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind and in the conversion of declining industrial regions, including by promoting sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges.
3. The Cohesion Fund shall contribute to projects in the field of environment and trans-European networks in the area of transport infrastructure (TEN-T) in accordance with Article 177(2) TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – title

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Support from the ERDF and Cohesion FundSpecific objectives for the ERDF and Cohesion Fund

Or. en

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support the specific objectives set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] contributing to the general objective set out in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] in accordance with their respective scope set out in Articles 176 and 177 TFEU.The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support the following specific objectives set out in Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] contributing to the general objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] in accordance with their respective scope set out in Article 176 and Article 177(2) TFEU:

Or. en

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) to foster a more competitive and innovative Union, in particular through:
(i) strengthening the Union’s industrial base and resilient supply chains and boosting sustainable and competitive manufacturing, in particular in the areas of net zero and critical raw materials technologies by fully integrating environmental and climate ambitions to accelerate a clean industrial transition;
(ii) enhancing sustainable growth, productivity, competitiveness and internationalisation of SMEs, including through productive investments, access to finance and the development of public and market-based funding opportunities;
(iii) providing comprehensive additional support to the Eastern border regions and other bordering regions, including by facilitating access to funding, promoting digital connectivity and upgrading transport networks, including dual-use roads, rail, and port infrastructure as well as cross border connections;
(iv) supporting the digital transformation towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives set out in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, thereby contributing to the achievement of a digitally sovereign, secure, and inclusive Union, and promoting the development and use of advanced technologies, including AI secure and trusted digital infrastructure and services, basic and advanced digital skills, digital public services, broadband connectivity and regional ICT connectivity, while addressing the digital divide;
(v) supporting research, development and innovation, including the smart specialisation strategies and the diffusion of innovation across all regions;
(vi) developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition, entrepreneurship and labour-market adaptation;
(vii) fostering the attractiveness, accessibility and competitiveness of territories, including through integrated territorial development strategies, support for local services and infrastructure and measures supporting the right to stay in all regions;
(viii) support for tourism and agrotourism;

Or. en

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) to promote a more sustainable, better connected and resilient Union, in particular through:
(i) supporting a just transition to address the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts towards the Union’s 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets for energy and climate, in particular by prioritising support for clean energy generation and infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency and decarbonisation, energy communities, storage and technology, developing smart energy systems and domestic transmission and distribution grids also taking into account the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) and technology, strengthening energy infrastructure and fostering innovation, including the use of geothermal sources, nuclear energy and the principle of technological neutrality, and enhancing a circular economy, waste management and bioeconomy, permanent and non-permanent carbon removal, ensuring that all territories and everyone can contribute and benefit from the clean transition;
(ii) enhancing Union transport infrastructure and contributing to the completion of the trans-European network for transport, in particular on the core and extended core network, as well as the development of urban nodes and of multimodal hubs, while decarbonising and improving connectivity, security and accessibility for remote, peripheral, cross-border and less connected areas; supporting sustainable and multimodal urban mobility and the green and digital transition of transport;
(iii) supporting secure access to water, efficient water management, quality and resilience, environmental protection, climate adaptation, climate resilience and enhancing biodiversity, soil quality and natural resources, promoting circularity, bioeconomy and wider resource efficiency, strengthening pollution prevention, control and remediation, preserving and restoring nature and enhancing biodiversity and natural resources;
(iv) promoting sustainable, inclusive and high-quality built environments, including through New European Bauhaus solutions, with a particular focus on affordable and sustainable housing, energy-efficient renovation, the renovation and decarbonisation of residential buildings, accessibility, circular construction, and climate-resilient public spaces;
(v) supporting the prevention and management of climate- and non-climate related natural risks and disasters, notably fires, floods, landslides, storms, drought and earthquakes, including by way of adaptation, mitigation, awareness raising, civil protection and disaster management systems, infrastructures and ecosystem based approaches;
(vi) addressing urgent and specific needs arising from a natural disaster through Build Back Better reconstruction investments that go beyond restoring pre-disaster conditions by incorporating enhanced climate resilience, disaster preparedness and sustainability standards;
(vii) promoting sustainable, competitive and resilient coastal and island communities;

Or. en

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) to strengthen social cohesion and the Union’s societies and social model, in particular through:
(i) supporting labour mobility, cohesive and integrated labour markets, including the cross-border dimension of social security systems;
(ii) promoting equal opportunities for all, supporting strong social safety nets, fostering social inclusion and fighting poverty and homelessness, and supporting investment in social infrastructure, as well as promoting inclusion and equal treatment of persons with disabilities;
(iii) facilitating access to services and associated infrastructure, including modernisation, digitalisation and strengthening the quality and resilience of healthcare and educational systems, child and long-term care services, and enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities;
(iv) supporting a holistic and integrated approach to address depopulation and other demographic challenges or relevant needs of regions and areas, which include labour shortages and disparities between generations and regions;
(v) addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC;
(vi) fostering the attractiveness of territories to support the right to stay including by supporting strategies for the integrated development of cities, urban and rural areas, including support for territorial services and infrastructure;
(vii) supporting areas affected by industrial transition, islands and coastal areas, sparsely populated areas, in particular northern sparsely populated regions, outermost, mountainous, northernmost, cross-border, in particular the Eastern and southern border regions, and other disadvantaged regions and territories;
(viii) supporting access to sustainable social and affordable public housing, including through the development, acquisition, renovation and modernisation of housing for low- and middle-income households, measures to prevent and reduce homelessness, housing-first approaches, and integrated territorial development initiatives across all types of territories;
(ix) fostering New European Bauhaus approaches that promote social inclusion, accessibility, affordability, sustainability and community participation in the built environment;

Or. en

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) to support the Union’s defence and security capabilities, with a special focus on dual-use capabilities, in particular through:
(i) contributing to the competitiveness and the production capacity of the European defence technological and industrial base by supporting innovation, resilience, technological sovereignty and security of supply in a predictable and continued manner;
(ii) supporting military mobility, in particular by contributing to the development of dual-use TEN-T infrastructure and mobility corridors and acquiring military mobility-specific and dual-use mobile assets, addressing the missing links;
(iii) addressing the procedural and administrative bottlenecks linked to moving military assets and personnel across the Union’s internal borders by digital transformation and alignment of relevant customs and administrative services in full respect of national and Union legal frameworks;
(iv) protecting critical transport, energy, digital and communal infrastructure from interference, including hybrid attacks and sabotage by employing physical and cybersecurity standards and best practices;
(v) strengthening the Union’s preparedness to crises and disasters by mainstreaming the principle of ‘preparedness by design’;
(vi) strengthening the Union’s security by improving threat detection, prevention and response threat detection capabilities, including by supporting defence industrial projects of common interest and strengthening food security;
(vii) supporting the acquisition of relevant skills and qualifications needed for the defence industrial base and dual-use sectors, including through investment in training infrastructure, equipment and facilities and in the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce to address labour market needs, complementing human capital investment under Regulation (EU) …/… [establishing the European Social Fund];

Or. en

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(e) to protect and strengthen fundamental rights, democracy, equality, rule of law and to uphold Union values in accordance with Article 2 TEU, in particular through:
(i) sustaining and further developing open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies, including by building civil society and social partners’ capacities to uphold Union values, citizenship education and youth participation;
(ii) promoting and upholding the rule of law through strengthening justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism, information integrity, media literacy, and effective checks and balances;
(iii) enhancing the efficiency of public administration and the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders at national, regional and local level;
(iv) promoting culture as a catalyst for Union values and supporting a vibrant and diverse cultural and heritage sectors.

Or. en

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Within the specific objectives set out in paragraph 1, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund may also support actions aimed at:
(a) strengthening the administrative and institutional capacity of programme authorities and public administrations, especially at regional and local level;
(b) enhancing the capacity of sectorial, territorial and local actors responsible for implementing activities supported under this Regulation; and
(c) promoting cooperation between partners within and across Member States, including cooperation involving cross-border regions, non-contiguous regions, macro-regional and sea-basin strategies and European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation.

Or. en

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(1) ‘European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg)’ means cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and non-Member States financed, or regional integration and cooperation organisations, by the National and Regional Partnership Fund and, where applicable, by the Global Europe Instrument.For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:
(1) ‘European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg)’ means cooperation between Member States and their regions inside the Union and between Member States, their regions and non-Member States, or regional integration and cooperation organisations, supported by the Fund and, where applicable, by the Global Europe Instrument;
(2) ‘non-Member State’ means third or partner countries as well as overseas countries and territories (OCTs) of Member States;
(3) ‘partner country’ means a non-Member State which receives support under the Global Europe Instrument;
(4) ‘third country’ means a non-Member State which does not receive support either from the Fund through the Interreg Plan or from the Global Europe Instrument, and which contributes to the Interreg Plan through its own means or through external assigned revenue to the Union budget;
(5) ‘regional integration and cooperation organisation’ means, in the context of outermost regions cooperation, a group of third countries or regions in the same geographic area that aim to cooperate closely on issues of common interest, of which Member States can also be part;
(6) ‘national authority’ means, for the purposes of this Regulation and where applicable, a public body in a Member State or a non-Member State that is responsible to support the managing authority in its implementation tasks of an Interreg Plan chapter on its territory;
(7) ‘cooperation on external borders’ means Interreg cooperation and the corresponding chapter supported by the Global Europe Instrument;
(8) ‘lead partner’ means one of the partners designated as such by all the partners in an Interreg operation which involves two or more partners, responsible for ensuring implementation of the entire Interreg operation and to whom the document setting out the conditions for support has been provided;
(9) ‘small project fund’ means an operation in a measure of an Interreg Plan chapter aimed at the selection and implementation of projects of limited financial volume, including people-to-people actions;
(10) 'Interreg Plan Chapter' means a section of the Interreg Plan dedicated to cooperation in a defined geographical area.

Or. en

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
For the purpose of this Chapter, where provisions in Articles 69 [Responsibilities of Member States], 70 [Submission of the annual assurance package], 74 [Data collection and recording], and 77 [Submission and assessment of payment applications] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] refer to a ‘Member State’, that term shall be construed as meaning ‘the Member State hosting the managing authority’.For the purposes of this Regulation, where provisions in Articles 58 [Responsibilities of Member States], 59 [Submission of the annual assurance package], 63 [Data collection and recording], and 65 [Submission and assessment of payment applications] of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] refer to a ‘Member State’, that term shall be construed as meaning ‘the Member State hosting the managing authority’ and where they refer to ‘each Member State’ or ‘Member States’, this shall be construed as meaning ‘the Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in a given Interreg Plan chapter’.

Or. en

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
‘Non-Member State’ means territories of third or partner countries as well as overseas countries and territories of Member States.deleted

Or. en

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3a
ERDF and Cohesion Fund budget
The financial envelope of the ERDF, as defined in Article 10(2), point (a)(i)(b), of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], shall be EUR 248 370 000 000 in current prices.
The financial envelope of the Cohesion Fund, as defined in Article 10( 2), point (a)(i)(a), of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], shall be EUR 46 990 000 000 in current prices.
Allocations under the Cohesion Fund shall support Member States whose gross national income (GNI) per capita is less than 90 % of the EU average GNI per capita.

Or. en

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3b
Distribution of the ERDF budget by category of region
InPursuant to Article 10(2), point (b) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... (NRP Regulation), resources from the ERDF shall be allocated per category of region as follows:
(a) 72,9 % for less developed regions;
(b) 17,2 % for transition regions;
(c) 9,9 % for more developed regions.

Or. en

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3c
Partnership and multi-level governance
1. The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support a place-based approach at national, regional and local levels, ensuring close cooperation between public authorities, economic and social partners and bodies representing civil society in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the measures.
2. For that purpose, each Member State shall organise and implement, within the framework of the NRP Plan and its chapters, including Interreg, a comprehensive partnership in accordance with its institutional and legal framework and taking into account the specificities of the programmes concerned.
That partnership shall include, in particular:
(a) regional and local authorities;
(b) urban and rural authorities;
(c) economic and social partners;
(d) bodies representing civil society;
(e) New European Bauhaus local chapters;
(f) research organisations, universities and relevant stakeholders, where appropriate.
3. The partnership referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall operate in accordance with the principles of multi-level governance and a bottom-up approach. Its organisation and implementation shall comply with the European Code of Conduct on Partnership established by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014.
4. Member States shall ensure that regional and local authorities are involved in a timely, effective and meaningful manner. Where substantial observations expressed by those authorities are not taken into account, the Member State concerned shall provide a reasoned explanation.
5. The designated regional or local managing authority shall prepare the regional or territorial chapter for which it has been designated and shall, in this context, interact and negotiate directly with the Commission. The designated regional or local managing authority shall be responsible for the design, preparation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the measures included in its chapter, including territorial analysis, governance structures and resource allocation. The Member State shall ensure that the authority has been granted the necessary resources, information and timeline to exercise this responsibility effectively.
The Member State shall transmit the regional or territorial chapter as prepared by the designated authority to the Commission without substantive modification. Where the Member State considers a modification necessary for reasons of overall consistency with the NRP Plan or compliance with this Regulation, it shall obtain the explicit written agreement of the relevant regional or local authority prior to transmission.
The Member State shall include in the NRP Plan a signed declaration by the relevant regional or local authority confirming that the content of its chapter reflects its own priorities and has not been substantively modified without its agreement.
6. Where an amendment to the NRP Plan concerns exclusively a regional or territorial chapter, the relevant regional or local managing authority designated pursuant to paragraph 5 shall have the right to initiate the amendment procedure by formally notifying the Member State of its request.
The Member State shall transmit such an amendment request to the Commission, together with the amended chapter as prepared by the designated authority, without substantive modification, within one month of that notification. Where the Member State considers a modification necessary for reasons of overall consistency with the NRP Plan or compliance with the applicable Regulation, it shall obtain the explicit written agreement of the relevant regional or local authority prior to transmission.
Where the Member State fails to transmit an amendment request within the period referred to in the second subparagraph, the relevant regional or local authority may inform the Commission directly thereof. The Commission shall take this information into account in its assessment of compliance with the requirements of this Article.
7. The Commission shall review, upon duly justified request by regional or local authorities, whether the partnership principle and the requirements laid down in this Article have been effectively respected by the Member States in the preparation or implementation of the national and regional partnership plans and their programmes.
8. Where, following its assessment, the Commission considers that regional and local authorities have not been involved in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Article, the Commission shall request the Member State concerned to revise the NRP Plan or programme accordingly prior to its approval. This shall include cases where the Member State has failed to designate the relevant regional or local authority pursuant to paragraph 5, has substantively modified the content of a regional or territorial chapter without the explicit written agreement of that authority, or has failed to transmit an amendment request in accordance with paragraph 6.

Or. en

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3d
Indicators
Output and result indicators shall be used in accordance with Regulation (EU) …/… [Performance Regulation].
The evaluations carried out by the Commission in compliance with its reporting requirements pursuant to Article 34(3) of the Financial Regulation and to Article 20 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [Performance Regulation] shall include information specifically on the implementation and performance of the ERDF and on the implementation and performance of the Cohesion Fund.

Or. en

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 3e
Right to stay
In order to contribute to the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation, the ERDF shall support measures aimed at fostering the attractiveness of territories across the Union to support the right to stay, in particular in territories facing stagnant and declining growth or acute depopulation through integrated territorial development strategies covering areas such as competitiveness, essential services, connectivity, infrastructure and human capital development.

Or. en

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, Member States shall pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas, in particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions, and also just transition areas and regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing demographic challenges or specific needs of the regions and areas referred to in this paragraph in their National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Articles 72 to 74 [integrated local and urban development] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation]. Such an integrated approach may include a commitment on dedicated funding for that purpose and may be included in dedicated chapters of the National Regional and Partnership Plan.1. In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, Member States shall pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas, in particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions, and also just transition areas and regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine.

Or. en

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing demographic challenges or specific needs of the regions and areas referred to in this paragraph in their National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Articles 74 to 76c [Territorial and local cooperation initiatives, Integrated territorial and sustainable urban development, CLLD, Support for place-based innovation and S3, Territorial just transition strategies, Support for energy communities] of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].

Or. en

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. The integrated approach referred to in paragraph 1a may include:
(a) a commitment on dedicated funding for that purpose;
(b) dedicated chapters within the National Regional and Partnership Plan;
(c) integrated territorial investments and community-led local development measures;
(d) targeted measures aimed at strengthening territorial resilience, accessibility, economic diversification and the right to stay in all regions.

Or. en

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5deleted
Sustainable urban development
As part of their territorial development, Member States shall support integrated urban development strategies which focus on sustainable development and tackle environmental, energy and climate challenges, in particular the fair transition towards a clean and climate-neutral and resilient economy by 2050, paying special attention to housing, poverty, cultural heritage and to harnessing the potential of digital technologies for innovation purposes and energy efficiency, to supporting the development of functional urban areas, as well as supporting urban-rural linkages.

Or. en

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5a
Integrated territorial and sustainable urban development
1. The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund may support integrated territorial development within the framework of this Regulation.
2. Member States shall implement integrated territorial development, supported by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, exclusively through territorial or local development strategies in any of the following forms:
(a) integrated territorial investments;
(b) community-led local development or
(c) another territorial tool supporting initiatives designed by the Member State.
Where implementing territorial or local development strategies under more than one Fund, the Member State shall ensure coherence and coordination among the Funds concerned.
3. Support for territorial development under the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall be based on integrated territorial development strategies covering all types of territories, with particular attention to the regions and areas referred to in Article 174(3) TFEU, as well as other territories facing specific development challenges or opportunities, including urban and coastal areas.
The integrated territorial development strategies referred to in the first subparagraph may include sustainable urban strategies, smart specialisation strategies, territorial just transition strategies, strategies for decarbonisation, or any other strategy seeking to promote the territorial or urban development developed with the support of Union instruments taking into account, where relevant, of a functional area and place-based approach and, where applicable, drawing on the principles and priorities of the Urban Agenda for the EU and the Territorial Agenda 2030. Corresponding milestones and targets shall be established in the National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Regulation (EU)…/… [NRPP Regulation].
4. Member States shall support integrated sustainable urban development strategies, which focus on sustainable development and tackle environmental, energy, climate, demographic and social challenges, in particular the fair transition towards a clean, climate-neutral, resilient and competitive economy by 2050. Those strategies shall pay particular attention to affordable and sustainable housing, poverty, cultural heritage, the use of digital technologies for innovation and energy efficiency, the development of functional urban areas, and the strengthening of urban-rural linkages.
5. Integrated territorial development and sustainable urban development strategies shall:
(a) contribute to achieving the general and specific objectives laid down in Article 2 of this Regulation;
(b) identify the geographical area and population covered by the strategy;
(c) provide an analysis of the development needs and challenges concerned, including economic, social, environmental and demographic interlinkages, and a description of an integrated approach to addressing them;
(d) set out key objectives, milestones and measurable targets consistent with the National and Regional Partnership Plan;
(e) set out an effective involvement of partners in the preparation and implementation of the strategy.
6. Territorial strategies implemented pursuant to paragraph 2, point (a) or (c), shall be under the responsibility of the relevant territorial, local or urban authorities or bodies. Existing strategic documents concerning the covered areas may be used as a basis for such strategies, provided they meet the requirements set out in paragraph 5. Where the list of operations to be supported has not been included in the territorial strategy, the relevant territorial, local or urban authorities or bodies shall select and be involved in the selection of operations.
7. When preparing strategies pursuant to this Article, the relevant territorial, local or urban authorities or bodies shall cooperate with the managing authority or authorities concerned in order to determine the scope of operations to be supported under the relevant chapter of the National and Regional Partnership Plan. Selected operations shall comply with the territorial strategy and contribute to the milestones and targets established in the Plan.
8. Where a territorial, local or urban authority or body carries out tasks falling under the responsibility of the managing authority other than the selection of operations, that authority or body shall be identified by the managing authority as an intermediate body in accordance with Article 49(4) of Regulation (EU)…/… [NRPP Regulation].
9. Where a territorial strategy referred to in paragraph 6 involves investments that receive support from more than one Fund, or from more than one specific objective of this Regulation, actions may be carried out as an integrated territorial investment. Where more than one Fund contributes to an integrated territorial investment, the managing authorities concerned shall establish written coordination arrangements to ensure coherence in the selection of operations, in the application of eligibility rules, and in reporting.
10. Strategies implemented pursuant to this Article shall be selected by the managing authority or authorities concerned, including for preparatory support.
11. At least 13 % of the total ERDF resources allocated to each Member State, other than for technical assistance, shall be allocated to integrated territorial and sustainable urban development strategies, including regeneration of deprived urban areas, integrated urban development and sustainable urban mobility, European Urban Initiatives and URBACT projects and local services linked to urban inclusion. The National and Regional Partnership Plan chapters concerned shall set out the planned amounts for that purpose.
12. Support may be provided for the preparation and design of strategies implemented pursuant to this Article.
13. Particular attention shall be paid to strengthening urban-rural linkages, territorial accessibility, functional territorial cooperation and balanced territorial development across all categories of regions.

Or. en

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5b
European Urban Initiative and URBACT
1. The ERDF may support and complement the European Urban Initiative, implemented by the Commission through the EU Facility or any other Union delivery mechanism.
The European Urban Initiative shall cover all urban areas, including functional urban areas, and shall support the implementation of the Urban Agenda for the EU, including the participation of local authorities in thematic partnerships established under that Agenda and the EU Agenda for Cities.
2. The European Urban Initiative shall support sustainable urban development through the following strands:
(a) support for innovative actions;
(b) support for capacity-building, knowledge sharing, territorial impact assessments, policy development and communication.
At the request of one or more Member States, the European Urban Initiative may also support inter-governmental cooperation on urban matters. Particular attention shall be given to cooperation aimed at strengthening local capacities to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Commission shall submit a report every two years to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation and results of the European Urban Initiative.
3. The governance model of the European Urban Initiative shall ensure the involvement of Member States, regional and local authorities, urban authorities, and cities, in accordance with Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance] of this Regulation.
4. Innovative actions that have been positively assessed under a call for proposals launched within the framework of the European Urban Initiative, that meet the minimum quality requirements of that call, but cannot be financed due to budgetary constraints, may be awarded a Seal of Excellence by the Commission. For the purposes of the Seal of Excellence, the European Urban Initiative shall be considered a Union funding source distinct from the measures implemented and prepared in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].
5. URBACT shall support sustainable urban development by promoting transnational cooperation, mutual learning, capacity-building and the exchange and transfer of knowledge and good practices among urban authorities.
URBACT shall complement the European Urban Initiative by facilitating the uptake, adaptation and replication of innovative solutions and by strengthening the capacities of cities to design, implement and evaluate integrated urban strategies.
The Commission shall ensure coherence and complementarity between the European Urban Initiative and URBACT in order to maximise the effectiveness and added value of Union support for sustainable urban development.
6. Support for the objectives referred to in this Article may be provided through the EU Cities Platform or through any Union mechanism established to support cooperation and knowledge exchange among urban authorities.

Or. en

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5c
Coordination with Union-level urban actions
1. Member States shall, where appropriate, ensure coordination between integrated sustainable urban development strategies supported under the ERDF and relevant Union-level actions supporting cities, including in the fields of urban innovation, capacity-building and technical assistance.
2. The coordination shall aim to facilitate the uptake and scaling of innovative solutions developed through Union actions within integrated sustainable urban development strategies supported under the ERDF, and to strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of urban authorities to design and implement integrated projects.
3. The coordination shall contribute to coherence and mutual reinforcement between Union-level support and cohesion policy implementation, in line with the EU Agenda for Cities.

Or. en

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5d
Support for rural development
1. Member States shall allocate at least 10 % of their total ERDF and, where applicable, Cohesion Fund resources, other than for technical assistance, to rural development.
For Member States eligible for support from the Cohesion Fund, the minimum allocation referred to in the first subparagraph shall be calculated on the basis of the combined total resources of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, other than for technical assistance, and shall not apply separately to each Fund.
2. Support for rural development under paragraph 1 shall in particular include:
(a) sustainable rural infrastructure including transport, energy supply, water supply and sanitation, and waste management;
(b) rural connectivity, including broadband and digital infrastructure;
(c) the diversification, competitiveness and resilience of rural economies, including support for local businesses, innovation and job creation;
(d) access to essential infrastructures linked to services in rural areas, including healthcare, education, childcare and social services;
(e) social inclusion and community development in rural areas;
(f) addressing demographic decline, including measures to support the attractiveness of rural areas and retain and attract residents and workers;
(g) sustainable tourism and cultural heritage in rural areas.
3. Cohesion Fund support for rural development under paragraph 1 of this Article shall be compatible with Article 177(2) TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5e
Support for sustainable social and affordable public housing
1. Member States shall allocate at least 10 % of the resources available under the ERDF and, where applicable, the Cohesion Fund to sustainable social and affordable public housing.
For the purposes of this Regulation, ‘sustainable social and affordable public housing’ refers to housing accessible to households that cannot access adequate housing at market conditions, in particular low- and middle-income households and persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
2. Support under paragraph 1 may include:
(a) the construction of new public housing;
(b) the acquisition of existing dwellings or buildings by public authorities or public bodies for conversion into public housing;
(c) the renovation, modernisation and energy-efficient refurbishment of public housing.
Where possible, priority shall be given to public housing initiatives complying with the New European Bauhaus solutions.
3. The Cohesion Fund shall support investment in public housing under this Article only where such investment contributes to the promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy use or the decarbonisation of such housing. For Member States eligible for support from the Cohesion Fund, the minimum allocation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated on the basis of the combined total resources of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, other than for technical assistance, and shall not apply separately to each Fund.
4. Member States shall ensure that public housing remains within the public housing stock or continues to pursue a public-interest housing mission.
5. Sustainable social and affordable public housing supported under this Regulation may be owned or managed by public authorities, public bodies, non-profit entities, housing cooperatives, Community Land Trusts or other entities pursuing a social or public-interest housing mission in accordance with national law.
6. Private buildings pursuing a social or public-interest housing mission and benefiting from support under paragraph 2, point (c), shall continue to pursue such mission for a period of not less than 10 years from the completion of the supported operation, including by remaining accessible and affordable to the households referred to in paragraph 1, second subparagraph. Where a building ceases to fulfil the conditions referred to in this paragraph before the expiry of that period, the support granted under these Funds shall be fully recovered from the beneficiary by the competent managing authority. Resources recovered under this paragraph shall be reinvested in support for sustainable social and affordable public housing in accordance with the objectives and conditions set out in this Article.

Or. en

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 f (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5f
Build Back Better Reprogramming
1. Where a natural disaster has been formally recognised by a competent national or regional authority, the Member State or, in accordance with Article 3c(5), the designated regional or local managing authority responsible for a regional or territorial chapter may request to amend the programme in order to redirect ERDF resources towards Build Back Better reconstruction investments supporting the specific objectives referred to in Article 2, point (b)(vi).
The Member State shall transmit such an amendment as requested by the managing authority to the Commission without substantive modification.
2. Measures supported under this Article shall go beyond restoring pre-disaster conditions and shall be limited to:
(a) reconstruction of damaged infrastructure incorporating enhanced climate resilience standards;
(b) flood prevention, coastal protection, wildfire risk reduction and other natural hazard mitigation;
(c) restoration or creation of ecosystems providing natural protection, including nature-based solutions;
(d) energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades in rebuilt structures;
(e) digital infrastructure supporting early-warning systems and emergency management.
3. The total ERDF resources redirected under this Article shall not exceed the lower of:
(a) 10 % of the total ERDF allocation of the programme or regional chapter concerned; or
(b) the total direct damage arising from the natural disaster, as certified by the competent authority.
4. By way of derogation from Article 20(1) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], the co-financing rate applicable to measures supported under this Article shall be 95 %, irrespective of the region's development category.
5. The programme amendment shall be deemed approved if the Commission does not raise a duly reasoned objection within 15 working days of receipt. An objection may only be raised on grounds of non-compliance with paragraph 2 or paragraph 3.
The request shall comprise:
(a) a description of the natural disaster and the formal recognition thereof by the competent authority;
(b) a damage assessment establishing the total direct damage, as certified by the competent authority;
(c) a description of the existing measures to be reduced or removed and of the new or modified measures to be introduced, with their estimated costs and a reconstruction timetable;
(d) a demonstration that the new or modified measures fall within paragraph 2 of this Article and support the specific objective referred to in Article 2, point (b)(vi).
Upon approval, and by way of derogation from Article 17 of Regulation (EU) ..../....[NRP Regulation], the Commission shall pay pre-financing of 30 % of the Union contribution allocated to the measures introduced or modified pursuant to this Article.
6. Measures physically completed before the submission of a funding application shall be eligible for the purposes of this Article, provided they were carried out in response to the natural disaster and the formal recognition has been issued.
7. Resources redirected under this Article shall complement and not replace any support provided under the EU Facility. No cost shall be covered twice.
8. Measures supported under this Article shall not be subject to suspension of payments on grounds of non-compliance with country-specific recommendations or reform commitments for which the managing authority bears no responsibility.

Or. en

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 g (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5g
Conditions applicable to support for the renovation, rehabilitation, refurbishment or energy-efficiency improvement of buildings
1. Support under this Regulation may be provided for the renovation, rehabilitation, refurbishment or energy-efficiency improvement of buildings, in accordance with the specific objective of Article 2, point (b)(iv), of this Regulation.
2. When granting such support, Member States shall prioritise residential buildings that display poor energy performance, in particular those falling within the lowest energy-performance classes under the national implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council1 and their National Building Renovation Plans.
3. Where a building benefiting from support under paragraph 1 is sold, transferred or converted to a use other than that for which support was granted within 10 years from the completion of the supported operation, the beneficiary shall reimburse to the competent managing authority the support received, reduced proportionally to the period during which the building was held following completion of the supported operation.
4. Resources returned to or recovered by the managing authorities shall be reinvested in refurbishment and energy-efficiency investments of buildings in accordance with the objectives and conditions set out in this Article.
1 Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (OJ L, 2024/1275, 8.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj).

Or. en

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 h (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5h
Support for place-based innovation and smart specialisation
Measures contributing to one or more of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation shall take into consideration national or regional smart specialisation strategies, which shall be supported by, as appropriate:
(a) an up-to-date analysis of strengths, challenges and opportunities for enhancing innovation and competitiveness;
(b) governance arrangements at national or regional level;
(c) proportionate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress;
(d) inclusive stakeholder engagement, including through the entrepreneurial discovery process;
(e) actions to strengthen research, innovation and industrial ecosystems, notably for startups and scaleups;
(f) where relevant, actions to support industrial transition;
(g) cooperation beyond the Member State, including for the internationalisation of companies and the development of value chains.
Smart specialisation strategies shall be strengthened to support regional innovation ecosystems.

Or. en

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Those measures shall be financed through a specific additional allocation for the outermost regions referred to in Article 10(2b), point (d), of Regulation (EU) ..../.... the [NRP Regulation] and they shall contribute to the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation.

Or. en

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 6a
Mid-term review
1. Each Member State, where applicable through the competent regional or territorial authorities, shall carry out, by 31 March 2031, a review of the progress in implementing measures supported by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation and the fulfilment of the requirements of this Regulation, and shall submit a report thereon to the Commission.
2. The Commission shall assess the reports submitted pursuant to paragraph 1 and communicate its findings, including its assessment of the challenges and emerging priorities in relation to the implementation of this Regulation, to the European Parliament, to the Council and, where applicable, to the competent regional or territorial authorities, by 30 September 2031.
3. The European Parliament shall, within six months of the Commission communication pursuant to paragraph 2, express its position thereon through the adoption of a resolution.
4. Where the Commission's assessment pursuant to paragraph 2 identifies significant shortcomings in the progress towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation or in the fulfilment of the requirements of this Regulation, the Commission shall, taking into account the resolution adopted by the European Parliament pursuant to paragraph 3, recommend that the Member State concerned and, where applicable, the competent regional or territorial authorities, address those shortcomings.
5. In the context of the mid-term review referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess and report to the European Parliament and to the Council on how the strategic importance of investments co-financed by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund is taken into account in the context of the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Or. en

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) cooperation between adjacent regions to promote integrated and harmonious regional development between neighbouring land and maritime border regions (cross-border cooperation);(a) cross-border cooperation between adjacent regions to promote integrated and harmonious regional development between neighbouring land and maritime border regions (‘Interreg A’);

Or. en

Amendment 36

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins, involving national, regional and local partners in Member States and non-Member States with a view to achieving a higher degree of territorial integration (transnational cooperation);(b) transnational cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins, involving national, regional and local partners in Member States and non-Member States with a view to achieving a higher degree of territorial integration (‘Interreg B’);

Or. en

Amendment 37

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) cooperation to reinforce the effectiveness of cohesion policy by promoting exchange of experiences, innovative approaches and capacity building (interregional cooperation);(c) interregional cooperation to reinforce the effectiveness of cohesion policy by promoting exchange of experiences, innovative approaches and capacity building (‘Interreg C’), by:

Or. en

Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c – point i (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(i) capacity building through the identification and exchange of good practices and innovative approaches with a view to transferring them into regional development policies and, where relevant, National and Regional Partnership Plans supporting one or more of the objectives set out in Article 2 and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in Article 10e [Interreg-specific objectives] (‘Interreg Europe’);

Or. en

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c – point ii (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(ii) the development and dissemination of innovative approaches to strengthen the administrative and institutional capacity of Interreg authorities, to support the harmonised and simplified implementation of Interreg Plan chapters and to promote the capitalisation of Interreg results, and to support the setting-up, functioning and use of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) (‘INTERACT’);

Or. en

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c – point iii (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(iii) the exchange of experience and capacity building on innovative sustainable and integrated urban development at local level, taking into account the linkages between urban and rural areas, including through the involvement of small and medium-sized cities and urban areas, in coordination and complementarity with the actions referred to in Annex XV to Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], contributing to the EU cities platform (‘URBACT’);

Or. en

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c – point iv (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(iv) the provision of territorial evidence by developing analysis, data and maps, in order to bridge research with policies in support of the objective of territorial cohesion (‘ESPON’);

Or. en

Amendment 42

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) cooperation among outermost regions and with their neighbouring non-Member States or regional integration and cooperation organisations to facilitate their regional integration and harmonious development in their neighbourhood (outermost regions’ cooperation).(d) cooperation among outermost regions and with their neighbouring non-Member States or regional integration and cooperation organisations to facilitate their regional integration and harmonious development in their neighbourhood (‘Interreg D’).

Or. en

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. Interreg Plan chapters supporting cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation and interregional cooperation shall be implemented in shared management. Contributions from the Global Europe Instrument included in chapters supporting outermost regions’ cooperation may be implemented in shared or in indirect management. The cooperation programmes referred to in paragraph 1 co-financed by the National and Regional Partnership Fund may receive contributions from the pillars referred to in points (a), (b), (c) and (e) of Article 3(1) of Regulation XX [Global Europe Instrument].2. Interreg Plan chapters supporting cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation and interregional cooperation shall be implemented in shared management. Contributions from the Global Europe Instrument included in chapters supporting outermost regions’ cooperation may be implemented in shared or in indirect management. The cooperation chapters referred to in paragraph 1 co-financed by the Fund may receive contributions from the pillars referred to in points (a) to (e) of Article 3(1) of Regulation …/… [Global Europe Instrument].

Or. en

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. In addition to the specific objectives set out in Article 3, points (a) and (c), of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], Interreg shall support “better cooperation governance”, “a safer and more secure Europe” and “more resilient regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine”.4. In addition to the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation, the Interreg Plan as a whole may support the Interreg specific objectives “better cooperation governance”, “a safer and more secure Europe” and “more resilient regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine”, in accordance with Article 10e [Interreg-specific objectives].

Or. en

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
5. In the case of the PEACE PLUS cross-border programme, where it is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, the ERDF, as a specific objective under general objective (a) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], shall also contribute to promoting social, economic and regional stability in the regions concerned, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.5. In the case of PEACE PLUS, where it is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, the ERDF, as a specific objective under general objectives 1, 2 and 3 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation], shall also contribute to promoting social, economic and regional stability in the regions concerned, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.

Or. en

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
6. Articles XX [Loan support], XX [Loan agreement and borrowing and lending operations] and XX [mid-term review] and Article 14(2) [25% flexibility amount] of Regulation (EU) [NRP ] shall not apply to the Interreg Plan.deleted

Or. en

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7a
Geographical coverage for cross-border cooperation
1. For cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported by the Fund under the Interreg Plan shall be the NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along all internal and external land borders with third countries or partner countries and all NUTS level 3 regions of the Union along maritime borders separated by a maximum of 150 km of sea, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of Interreg Plan chapter areas and where cross-border interaction may effectively take place.
2. Internal cross-border cooperation Interreg Plan chapters may cover regions in Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom which are equivalent to NUTS level 3 regions as well as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino.
3. For external cross-border cooperation, the regions to be supported by the Global Europe Instrument shall be NUTS level 3 regions of the respective partner country or, in the absence of a NUTS classification, equivalent areas along all land and maritime borders between Member States and partner countries eligible under the Global Europe Instrument, without prejudice to potential adjustments needed to ensure the coherence and continuity of Interreg Plan chapter areas.

Or. en

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7b
Geographical coverage for transnational cooperation
1. For transnational cooperation, the regions to be supported by the Fund under the Interreg Plan shall be the NUTS level 2 regions of the Union, including outermost regions, covering larger transnational territories and taking into account, where applicable, macro-regional strategies or sea-basin strategies.
2. At the request of the Member State or Member States concerned when submitting a transnational cooperation chapter, that chapter may also include one or more outermost regions from the Member State or Member States concerned.
3. Transnational cooperation chapters may cover the following territories, whether or not they are supported from the Union budget:
(a) regions in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino;
(b) OCTs;
(c) the Faroe Islands;
(d) regions of partner countries under the Global Europe Instrument.
4. The non-Member States and the regions referred to in paragraph 3 shall be NUTS level 2 regions or, in the absence of a NUTS classification, equivalent areas.

Or. en

Amendment 49

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7c
Geographical coverage for interregional cooperation
1. For interregional cooperation, the entire territory of the Union, including the outermost regions, shall be supported by the Fund through the Interreg Plan.
2. Interregional cooperation chapters may cover the whole territory of non-Member States or part thereof, whether or not they are supported by the external financing instruments of the Union.

Or. en

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7d
Geographical coverage for outermost regions’ cooperation
1. For the outermost regions’ cooperation, all regions listed in Article 349, first subparagraph, TFEU shall be supported by the Fund through the Interreg Plan.
2. Interreg Plan chapters involving the outermost regions may cover non-Member States or parts thereof.

Or. en

Amendment 51

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7e
Fund resources allocated to the Interreg Plan per strand
1. The financial envelope for the Interreg Plan, as defined in Article 10( 2), point (c), of Regulation (EU) ..../....[NRP Regulation], shall be EUR 11 570 000 000 in current prices.
2. The resources referred to in paragraph 1 shall be allocated as follows:
(a) 72,2 % (i.e., a total of EUR 8 353 540 000) for cross-border cooperation (‘strand Interreg A’);
(b) 18,2 % (i.e., a total of EUR 2 105 740 000) for transnational cooperation (‘strand Interreg B’);
(c) 6,1 % (i.e., a total of EUR 705 770 000) for interregional cooperation (‘strand Interreg C’);
(d) 3,5 % (i.e., a total of EUR 404 950 000) for outermost regions' cooperation (‘strand Interreg D’).
3. The Commission shall communicate to each Member State its share of the global amounts for the strands referred to in paragraph 2, points (a), (b) and (d), pursuant to the methodology provided for in Annex III to Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], broken down by year.
4. Each Member State may transfer up to 15 % of its allocation for each of the strands referred to in points (a) and (b) to one or more of the strands referred to in points (a), (b), and (d).
5. Based on the amounts communicated pursuant to paragraph 2, each Member State shall inform the Commission whether and how it has used the transfer option provided for in paragraph 3 and the resulting distribution of its share among the Interreg Plan chapters in which the Member State participates.

Or. en

Amendment 52

Proposal for a regulation

Article 7 f (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 7f
Co-financing rates
1. The co-financing rate at the level of each Interreg Plan chapter shall be not higher than 80 %.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the co-financing rate for chapters supporting outermost regions' cooperation shall be not higher than 85 %, unless a higher percentage is applicable under the Global Europe Instrument or any act adopted pursuant to that instrument.
3. Where an Interreg Plan chapter is supported by the Fund and the Global Europe Instrument, and where the allocation from the Fund is 50 % or less of the total Union allocation, a higher co-financing rate may be fixed under the Global Europe Instrument or any act adopted pursuant to that instrument.
4. The national contribution rate at the level of each Interreg Plan chapter shall be no lower than 20 %. The rate shall be decreased by 5 percentage points for chapters supporting outermost regions' cooperation and cross-border cooperation on external borders.

Or. en

Amendment 53

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. The managing authority of each Interreg Plan chapter shall prepare an Interreg Plan chapter in accordance with the template set out in the Annex, in a bottom-up approach ensuring that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizens in a place-based manner, in accordance with Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance] , with the full involvement of the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States. The managing authority shall interact and negotiate directly with the Commission throughout the preparation, assessment and approval of the Interreg Plan chapter.

Or. en

Amendment 54

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. The Interreg Plan chapter shall demonstrate how the partnership and multi-level governance requirements set out in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance] have been fulfilled in its preparation, including in the case of chapters under the transnational cooperation strand covering macro-regional or sea-basin strategies, how the thematic priorities of the relevant macro-regional and sea-basin strategies have been taken into account and how the relevant actors at macro-regional and sea-basin level have been included in the partnership from the start of the programming period.

Or. en

Amendment 55

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The Member State hosting the prospective managing authority shall submit an Interreg Plan chapter to the Commission at the latest six months after the entry into force of this Regulation on behalf of all participating Member States and non-Member States.2. The Interreg Plan chapter shall be submitted to the Commission at the latest nine months after the entry into force of this Regulation, in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 9 [Approval and amendment of the Interreg Plan].

Or. en

Amendment 56

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) describe the intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered, identifying the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local developement and explaining how these measures are expected to contribute to the objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 [policy objectives] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 7 of this Regulation and to transition to climate neutrality;(b) describe the intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered, identifying the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local development and explaining how these measures are expected to contribute to one or more of the specific objectives referred to Article 2 of this Regulation;

Or. en

Amendment 57

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) provide a list and description of measures, including the general and specific objectives that each measure primarily pursues and the list of envisaged milestones and targets, with their indicative completion date during the programming period. The indicators proposed for the targets shall be based on the output indicators listed in Annex I to Regulation XX [Performance] except where duly justified;(c) provide a list and description of measures, including the general and specific objectives that each measure primarily pursues and the list of envisaged milestones and targets, with their indicative completion date during the programming period. The indicators proposed for the targets shall be based on the output indicators listed in Annex I to Regulation …/… [Performance] except where duly justified, in which case measure-specific indicators, including their unit of measurement, shall be used in accordance with point 3(a) of the Annex to this Regulation;

Or. en

Amendment 58

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) set out the total estimated costs of the measures together with information on existing or planned Union financing where relevant, backed up by appropriate justification and by explanations of how it is in line with the principle of cost efficiency, sound financial management and commensurate to the expected economic and social impact;(d) set out the total estimated costs of the measures, for a total amount at least equivalent to the sum of the Union financial contribution, excluding technical assistance, and the national contribution together with information on existing or planned Union financing where relevant, backed up by appropriate justification and by explanations of how it is in line with the principle of cost efficiency, sound financial management and commensurate to the expected economic and social impact;

Or. en

Amendment 59

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(e) set out clear arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the Interreg Plan chapter by each Member State, including the responsible authorities and created monitoring committees reflecting the objective of establishing a robust multi governance system based on the partnership principle, and also the envisaged approach to information, communication and visibility in line with the rules laid down in Regulation xx[Performance Regulation];(e) describe arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the Interreg Plan chapter, including the responsible authorities and monitoring committee reflecting the objective of establishing a robust multi-level governance system based on the partnership principle, and also the envisaged approach to information, communication and visibility in line with the rules laid down in Regulation …/… [Performance Regulation];

Or. en

Amendment 60

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point g

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(g) set out the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in the event of financial corrections imposed by the managing authority or the Commission in accordance with the rules governing the NRP Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];(g) set out the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in the event of financial corrections imposed by the managing authority or the Commission in accordance with the rules governing the Fund and set out in Article 68 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation];

Or. en

Amendment 61

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The Commission shall adopt an implementing act, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 13(2) [Committee Procedure], setting out:The Commission shall be empowered to adopt an implementing act, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 14(2) [Committee Procedure], setting out:

Or. en

Amendment 62

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) the list of Interreg Plan chapters, the designation of the respective chapter areas and the indicative allocation from the Fund and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument;(a) the list of Interreg Plan chapters, the designation of the respective chapter geographical areas and the allocation from the Fund to each chapter and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument and specific rules for pre-financing for the Interreg Plan chapters supporting cooperation on external borders;

Or. en

Amendment 63

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) where appropriate, detailed arrangements covering the specific implementation modalities of Interreg to ensure a consistent approach.(b) where appropriate, to ensure a consistent approach, detailed arrangements covering specific implementation modalities of Interreg as regards the role and the tasks of the lead partner, small project funds, partnership within Interreg operations, management verifications and audits, the requirements for the group of auditors and controllers, the modalities for costing including the use of simplified cost options and the implementation of integrated territorial development including Community-Led Local Development strategies.

Or. en

Amendment 64

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The elements referred to in the first subparagraph, point (a) shall be established on the basis of the information provided by each Member State on the planned distribution of its share in the Interreg Plan allocation pursuant to the methodology established in Annex I [Methodology for the calculation of the financial contribution for each Member state under the Fund] to Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].deleted

Or. en

Amendment 65

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. The elements referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), shall be established on the basis of the information provided by each Member State on the planned distribution by chapter of its share in the Interreg Plan allocation pursuant to the methodology established in Annex III [Methodology for the calculation of the Union financial contribution for each Member State under the Interreg Plan] to Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].

Or. en

Amendment 66

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1b. Each Member State may transfer up to 15 % of its allocation for each of the strands referred to in Article 7e [the Fund’s resources allocated to the Interreg Plan per strand] (2), points (a) and (b), to one or more of the strands referred to in Article 7e [the Fund’s resources allocated to the Interreg Plan per strand] (2), points (a), (b) and (d).

Or. en

Amendment 67

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 1 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1c. The managing authority of an Interreg Plan chapter shall prepare that chapter in accordance with Article 8 [Requirements for the Interreg Plan chapters] of this Regulation and in compliance with the partnership and multi-level governance requirements set out in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance].
The Member State hosting the managing authority shall transmit the Interreg Plan chapter as prepared by the managing authority without substantive modification. Where the Member State hosting the managing authority considers a modification necessary for reasons of compliance with this Regulation, it shall obtain the explicit written agreement of the managing authority prior to transmission. The Commission shall be informed of any such modification and of the written agreement obtained.
Where the Member State hosting the managing authority fails to submit the Interreg Plan chapter within the period referred to in Article 8(4), or fails to transmit the chapter without substantive modification, the managing authority may inform the Commission directly thereof. The Commission shall take that information into account in its assessment of compliance with the partnership requirements set out in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance] .

Or. en

Amendment 68

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. The Commission shall assess the Interreg Plan chapters or the amended Interreg Plan chapters submitted by the Member State hosting the managing authority within 4 months of their submission. When carrying out its assessment, the Commission shall verify that the Interreg Plan chapter complies with all requirements in Article 5 and follows the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation [Interreg chapter template]. The Commission may make observations and request additional information. The deadline for the approval shall be interrupted from the day following the date following that on which Commission sends its observations or a request for revised documents to the Member State and until the Member State responds to the Commission.2. After submission of an Interreg Plan chapter, the Commission shall assess the Interreg Plan chapter within 4 months of its submission. When carrying out its assessment, the Commission shall verify that the Interreg Plan chapter complies with all requirements set out in Article 8 and follows the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation. The Commission may make observations and request additional information. The deadline for the approval shall be suspended from the day following the date on which the Commission sends its observations or a request for revised documents to the managing authority and until the managing authority responds to the Commission.

Or. en

Amendment 69

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. Where the Interreg Plan chapters or the amended Interreg Plan chapters submitted by the Member State hosting the managing authority fulfill all the requirements in Article 8 and follow the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation, the Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, approve those Interreg Plan chapters [or amended Interreg Plan chapters]3. Where the Interreg Plan chapter complies with the requirements set out in Article 8 and follows the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation, the Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, amend the implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 so as to incorporate the Interreg Plan chapter, not later than four months after the date of its submission. That implementing act shall set out the elements referred to in paragraph 10.

Or. en

Amendment 70

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3a. The managing authority of an Interreg Plan chapter may initiate an amendment to the Interreg Plan chapter by formally notifying the Member State concerned of its request. The managing authority shall interact and negotiate directly with the Commission regarding that amendment. The Member State hosting the managing authority shall transmit such an amendment request to the Commission, together with the amended chapter as prepared by the managing authority, without substantive modification, within one month of the notification. Where the Member State hosting the managing authority considers a modification necessary for reasons of compliance with this Regulation, it shall obtain the explicit written agreement of the managing authority prior to transmission.

Or. en

Amendment 71

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 3 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3b. The Commission shall assess compliance of the requested amendment with Article 8 and may make observations and request additional information. The deadline for the approval by the Commission shall be suspended from the day following the date on which the Commission sends its observations or a request for revised documents to the managing authority and until the managing authority responds to the Commission. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, amend the implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 so as to incorporate the amendments to the Interreg Plan chapter, no later than four months following the date of submission thereof.
Where the Member State fails to transmit an amendment request within the period referred to in paragraph 7, the managing authority may inform the Commission directly thereof. The Commission shall take this information into account in its assessment of compliance with the partnership requirements set out in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance].

Or. en

Amendment 72

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. Following the approval of Interreg Plan chapters pursuant to paragraph 3, the Commission may, by means of implementing acts, approve the Interreg Plan chapters submitted subsequently fulfilling all the requirements referred to Article 8 [Requirements for the Interreg Plan chapters] and following the template set out in the Annex to this Regulation [Interreg chapter template] every three months. In other cases, the Commission may approve modifications to the Interreg Plan chapters every six months, following a request by the Member State hosting the managing authority.4. The adoption of an implementing act amending the implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be required for corrections of a purely clerical or editorial nature or in the case of minor adjustments to the Interreg Plan chapter, representing an increase or decrease of less than 5 % of a target set out in the Interreg Plan chapter. The managing authority shall apply this paragraph only once per target until the next amendment of the implementing act referred to in paragraph 1 and shall notify the Commission of such adjustments.

Or. en

Amendment 73

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
5. The implementing acts provided for in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall set out for each Interreg Plan chapter:5. The implementing act referred to in paragraphs 3 and 3b shall set out for each Interreg Plan chapter:

Or. en

Amendment 74

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) the total estimated costs of the Interreg chapter, established by the Commission on the basis of a proposal by the Member State hosting the managing authority;(a) the total estimated costs of the Interreg Plan chapter, established by the Commission on the basis of a proposal by the managing authority, endorsed by all participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States;

Or. en

Amendment 75

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) the amount of the financial contribution from Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] and, where applicable, the amount of the financial contribution from the Global Europe Instrument and the amount of national contribution other than national co-financing;(b) the amount of the financial contribution from the Fund and, where applicable, the amount of the financial contribution from the Global Europe Instrument and the amount of national contribution from non-Member States;

Or. en

Amendment 76

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) the amount of pre-financing to be paid and whether the pre-financing is to be paid in full in the year of approval of the chapter or in tranches in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].(d) the amount of pre-financing to be paid and whether the pre-financing is to be paid in full in the year of approval of the chapter or in tranches in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 12e [Payments and pre-financing] of this Regulation.

Or. en

Amendment 77

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The Commission shall inform the managing authority directly of the amounts set out in respect of its chapter adoption of the implementing act.

Or. en

Amendment 78

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
5a. The managing authority shall ensure that the amount of estimated total costs of its Interreg Plan chapter remains reasonable and plausible throughout implementation, in accordance with the principle of sound financial management.

Or. en

Amendment 79

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
6. The decision approving the relevant Interreg Plan chapter shall constitute a financing decision within the meaning of Article 110(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and its notification to the Member State hosting the managing authority shall constitute a legal commitment.6. The implementing act referred to in paragraphs 3 and 3b approving the relevant Interreg Plan chapter or its amendment shall constitute a financing decision within the meaning of Article 110(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and its notification to the Member State hosting the managing authority shall constitute a legal commitment.

Or. en

Amendment 80

Proposal for a regulation

Article 9 – paragraph 7

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
7. The amount of the Union financial contribution, national contribution by non-Member States and national co-financing envisaged under the Interreg Plan chapter, taken in their total, shall not exceed the total estimated costs of the chapter.7. The amount of the Union financial contribution, national contribution by Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States envisaged under the Interreg Plan chapter, taken in their total, shall not exceed the total estimated costs of the chapter.

Or. en

Amendment 81

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in an Interreg Plan chapter shall identify a single managing authority and a single audit authority which shall be located in the same Member State. A coordinating authority as referred to in Article 49 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] shall not be identified for the Interreg Plan.1. Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in an Interreg Plan chapter shall jointly designate a single managing authority and a single audit authority for that Interreg Plan chapter both of which shall be located in the same Member State. A coordinating authority as referred to in Article 49 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] shall not be identified for the Interreg Plan.
To ensure continuity and cost-effectiveness, Member States shall, where possible, build upon the existing governance structures and institutions.

Or. en

Amendment 82

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. In addition to Article 50 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], each managing authority of an Interreg Plan chapter shall be responsible for managing the chapter with a view to delivering its objectives and shall be responsible for:2. In addition to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation], the managing authority of each Interreg Plan chapter shall be responsible for managing the chapter with a view to delivering its objectives and shall be responsible for:

Or. en

Amendment 83

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(a) drawing up and submitting payment applications for the chapter of the Interreg Plan to the Commission in accordance with Article 63 [payments] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];(a) drawing up and submitting payment applications for the chapter of the Interreg Plan to the Commission in accordance with Article 12b of this Regulation [Submission and assessment of payment applications] and the template set out in Annex XI of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation];

Or. en

Amendment 84

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) providing forecasts of the amount for payment applications to be submitted for the current and subsequent calendar year by 15 February and 31 July in accordance with the template in Annex X [payment forecasts] to Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation];(b) providing forecasts of the amount for payment applications to be submitted for the current and subsequent calendar year by 31 January and 31 July in accordance with the template in Annex X [payment forecasts] to Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation];

Or. en

Amendment 85

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point c

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) signing and providing the management declaration referred to in Article XX(1) point (a) [Annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] in accordance with the template set out in Annex XII to that Regulation;(c) signing and providing the management declaration referred to in Article 59(1), point (c) [Annual assurance package], of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] in accordance with the template set out in Annex XII to that Regulation;

Or. en

Amendment 86

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) coordinating and submitting to the Commission all the documents requested as part of the annual assurance package referred to in Article 70 [annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].(d) coordinating and submitting to the Commission all the documents requested as part of the annual assurance package referred to in Article 59 [submission of the annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation].

Or. en

Amendment 87

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(da) ensuring that the document provided to the lead or sole partner referred to in Article 51(1), point (i), of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation] also sets out obligations with regard to recoveries.

Or. en

Amendment 88

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The Member State hosting the managing authority may entrust the task referred to in paragraph 1, points (a) and (b), to another body under the responsibility of the managing authority. The audit authority shall draw up and provide to the managing authority the documents set out in paragraph 1, point (d).

Or. en

Amendment 89

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3. The Member State and, where applicable, the non-Member State participating in the Interreg Plan chapter, may decide that management verifications referred to in Article XX [function of the managing authority] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] are to be done through the identification by each Member State of a body or person responsible for such verification in its territory. The Commission may lay down further requirements to be met by such bodies or persons in the implementing act provided for in Article 9(1) [approval and amendment of the Interreg Plan.3. The Member State and, where applicable, the non-Member State participating in the Interreg Plan chapter, may decide that management verifications referred to in Article 51 [function of the managing authority] of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] are to be done through the identification by each Member State and non-Member State of a body or person responsible for such verification on its territory (the 'controller'). Any controller shall be functionally independent from the audit authority or any member of the group of auditors. Where it has been decided that management verifications are carried out by identified controllers pursuant to the first subparagraph, the managing authority shall satisfy itself that the management verifications have been carried out by an identified controller.
Each Member State and non-Member State shall be responsible for verifications carried out on its territory.

Or. en

Amendment 90

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. The managing authority shall be assisted by the joint secretariat, with staff representing States participating in the Interreg Plan chapter. The joint secretariat shall assist the managing authority and the monitoring committee in carrying out their respective functions. The joint secretariat shall also provide information to potential beneficiaries about funding opportunities under Interreg programmes and shall assist beneficiaries and partners in the implementation of operations.4. The managing authority and the monitoring committee shall be assisted by the joint secretariat, composed of staff representing the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in carrying out their respective functions. The joint secretariat shall also provide information to potential beneficiaries about funding opportunities under Interreg chapters and shall assist beneficiaries and partners in the implementation of operations.

Or. en

Amendment 91

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 5

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
5. In addition to the rules laid down in Article 52 [functions of the audit authority] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], for the purpose of the Interreg Plan chapters, where the audit authority does not have the authorisation to carry out its tasks in the whole territory covered by a cooperation programme, it shall be assisted by a group of auditors composed of a representative from each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in the Interreg programme. Each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member State shall be responsible for audits carried out on its territory.5. In addition to the rules laid down in Article 53 [functions of the audit authority] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], for the purpose of the Interreg Plan chapters, where the audit authority does not have the authorisation to carry out its tasks in the whole territory covered by the chapter, it shall be assisted by a group of auditors composed of a representative from each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member States participating in the Interreg Plan chapter. In such cases, each Member State and, where applicable, non-Member State shall be responsible for audits carried out on its territory.

Or. en

Amendment 92

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 – paragraph 6

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
6. A monitoring committee shall be established for each Interreg Plan chapter. The monitoring committee shall be responsible for selection of Interreg operations, in accordance with the Interreg Plan chapter’s strategy and objectives. The Commission may lay down further requirements to be met by the monitoring committee in the implementing act provided for in Article 9(1) [approval and amendment of the Interreg plan].deleted

Or. en

Amendment 93

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10a
Monitoring committee and steering committee
1. The managing authority shall set up, in agreement with the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, a committee to monitor implementation of the respective Interreg Plan chapter (‘monitoring committee’) within three months of the date of notification to the Member States of the Commission decision approving an Interreg Plan chapter pursuant to Article 9. That monitoring committee may set up one or more steering committees which act under its responsibility for the selection of operations. Steering committees shall apply the partnership principle as set out in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance].
2. The monitoring committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. The rules of procedure of the monitoring committee and, where applicable, of the steering committee shall prevent any situation of conflict of interest when selecting Interreg operations and shall include provisions regarding voting rights and rules for attending the meetings.
3. The monitoring committee shall meet at least once a year and shall review all issues that affect the progress in implementation of the measures included in the Interreg Plan chapter.
4. The managing authority shall publish the rules of procedure of the monitoring committee and a summary of both data and information, including decisions, approved by the monitoring committee on the website referred to in Article 64 of Regulation (EU) ..../....[NRP Regulation].

Or. en

Amendment 94

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10b
Composition of the monitoring committee
1. The composition of the monitoring committee of each Interreg Plan chapter shall be proposed by the managing authority and agreed by the participating Member States and, where applicable, by non-Member States, and shall ensure a balanced representation of:
(a) the relevant national, regional and local authorities ;
(b) bodies jointly set up in the whole or part of the Interreg Plan chapter area, including, where appropriate, EGTCs set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council2; and
(c) representatives of the partners referred to in Article 3c [Partnership and multi-level governance] of this Regulation from Member States and non-Member States; the composition of the monitoring committee shall take into account the number of Member States and non-Member States participating in the Interreg Plan chapter concerned.
2. The managing authority shall publish a list of the members of the monitoring committee on the website referred to in Article 64 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].
3. Representatives of the Commission shall participate in the work of the monitoring committee in an advisory capacity.
2 Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1082/oj).

Or. en

Amendment 95

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10c
Functions of the monitoring committee
1. The monitoring committee shall examine:
(a) the progress in implementing the measures included in the Interreg Plan chapter and in achieving the milestones and targets of those measures;
(b) any issues that affect the performance of the Interreg Plan chapter and the measures taken to address these issues;
(c) the progress made in carrying out evaluations, syntheses of evaluations and any follow-up given to findings;
(d) the implementation of information, communication and visibility actions;
(e) the progress in administrative capacity building for public institutions and beneficiaries, where relevant; and
(f) the effective functioning of the partnership as regards the Interreg Plan chapter.
2. The monitoring committee shall approve for the Interreg Plan chapter under its responsibility:
(a) any proposal for the amendment of the Interreg Plan chapter;
(b) the methodology and criteria for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto; the criteria applied and procedures used shall be non-discriminatory, inclusive and transparent, ensuring accessibility to persons with disabilities, ensuring gender equality, and take account of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union: the criteria and procedures [for the selection of operations] shall ensure that selected operations do not conflict with the existing Union macro-regional or sea-basin strategies, territorial strategies established under the NRP Plans, or strategies established under Global Europe Instrument covering the same cooperation area and the prioritisation of operations to be selected with a view to maximising the contribution of Union funding to the achievement of the objectives of the Interreg Plan chapter and its measures and to strengthening the cooperation dimension of operations;
(c) the evaluation roadmap and any amendment thereto.
3. The monitoring committee shall be responsible for selection of Interreg operations, in accordance with the Interreg Plan chapter’s strategy and objectives.

Or. en

Amendment 96

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 d (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10d
Selection of operations
1. When all or part of an operation is implemented outside the Interreg Plan chapter area inside or outside the Union, the selection of that operation shall require the explicit approval by the managing authority in the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee, upon proposal by the managing authority.
2. When the operation involves one or several partners located in the territory of a Member State or non-Member State which is not represented in the monitoring committee, the managing authority shall, prior to submitting the operation for approval by the monitoring committee, obtain a written acceptance by the concerned Member State or non-Member State to reimburse any amounts unduly paid to those partners. Additionally, such acceptance may be subsequently given by any of the Member States or non-Member States represented in the monitoring committee.
3. When the written acceptance referred to in paragraph 2 cannot be obtained, the body implementing all or part of an operation outside the Interreg Plan chapter area shall obtain a guarantee from a bank, another financial institution or another public entity approved by the managing authority for the corresponding amount of the Interreg funds granted. Such a guarantee shall be included in the document provided to the lead or sole partner setting out the conditions for support of the Interreg operation.
4. In selecting operations, the monitoring committee or, where applicable, the steering committee shall verify that the beneficiary has the necessary financial resources and mechanisms to cover operation and maintenance costs in accordance with Article 69(1) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [the NRPP Regulation] for operations comprising investment in infrastructure or capital investment, so as to ensure their financial sustainability.

Or. en

Amendment 97

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 e (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10e
Interreg-specific objectives
1. The ERDF shall contribute to the specific objectives set out in Article 2 of this Regulation through joint actions under Interreg Plan chapters.
2. Under Interreg Plan chapters, the Fund and, where applicable, the Global Europe Instrument, may also support the Interreg-specific objective of 'a better cooperation governance', by one or more of the following actions:
(a) enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities, in particular those mandated to manage a specific territory, and of stakeholders (all strands);
(b) enhance efficient public administration by promoting legal and administrative cooperation and cooperation between citizens, civil society actors and institutions, in particular with a view to resolving legal and other obstacles in border regions (cross-border cooperation, interregional cooperation and outermost regions' cooperation and, where appropriate, transnational cooperation);
(c) build up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions (cross-border cooperation, outermost regions' cooperation and, where appropriate, transnational cooperation);
(d) enhance institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders to implement macro-regional strategies and sea-basin strategies, as well as other territorial strategies (all strands);
(e) enhance sustainable democracy and support civil society actors and their role in reforming processes and democratic transitions (all strands with involvement of non-Member States); and
(f) other actions to support better cooperation governance (all strands).
3. Under Interreg Plan chapters, the Fund and, where applicable, the Global Europe Instrument, may also contribute to the Interreg-specific objective of 'a safer and more secure Europe', in particular by actions in the fields of border crossing management and mobility and migration management, including the protection and economic and social integration of third-country nationals, for example migrants and beneficiaries of international protection, as well as by actions supporting the strengthening of economic, social and territorial resilience of regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine.

Or. en

Amendment 98

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 f (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10f
Thematic concentration
1. Where an Interreg Plan chapter under the transnational cooperation strand supports a macro-regional strategy or a sea-basin strategy, at least 80 % of the Fund contribution and, where applicable, part of the Global Europe Instrument allocations under measures other than for technical assistance shall contribute to the objectives of that strategy.
2. All of the specific objectives set out in Article 2 and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in Article 10e [Interreg-specific objectives] may be selected for Interreg Europe and URBACT chapters. For the INTERACT and ESPON chapters, the total Fund contribution and, where applicable, the Global Europe Instrument allocations shall be allocated to the Interreg-specific objective of 'a better cooperation governance'.

Or. en

Amendment 99

Proposal for a regulation

Article 10 g (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 10g
Support to projects of limited financial volume and small project funds
1. Interreg Plan chapters under the cross-border cooperation and outermost regions' cooperation strands, and where appropriate, under the transnational cooperation strand, shall support projects of limited financial volume, either:
(a) directly within each chapter; or
(b) within one or more small project funds.
Where an Interreg Plan chapter under the transnational cooperation or outermost regions' cooperation strand is unable to fulfil the obligation laid down in the first subparagraph, the reasons why the obligation cannot be fulfilled shall be set out in the chapter document in accordance with the template set out in the Annex.
2. The total contribution from the Fund or, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument, to small project funds within an Interreg Plan chapter shall not exceed 20 % of the total allocation of the Interreg Plan chapter.
The recipients within a small project fund shall receive support from the Fund or, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument through the beneficiary and implement the small projects within that small project fund ('small projects').
3. The small project fund constitutes an operation, which shall be managed by a beneficiary, taking into account its tasks and remuneration.
The beneficiary shall be a cross-border legal body or an EGTC or a body which shall have legal personality.
The beneficiary shall select the small projects which are implemented by the recipients within the meaning of Article 4(6) of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] . Where the beneficiary is not a cross-border legal body or an EGTC, a body involving representatives from at least two participating countries, of which at least one is a Member State, shall select the joint small projects.
4. The document setting out the conditions for support to a small project fund shall, in addition to the elements laid down in Article 10d [Selection of operations] of this Regulation, set out the elements necessary to ensure that the beneficiary:
(a) establishes a non-discriminatory and transparent selection procedure;
(b) applies objective criteria for the selection of small projects, which avoid conflicts of interest;
(c) assesses applications for support;
(d) selects projects and fixes the amount of support for each small project;
(e) is accountable for the implementation of the operation and keeps at its level all supporting documents required for the audit trail; and
(f) makes available to the public the list of the recipients which benefit from the operation.
The beneficiary shall ensure that the recipients comply with the communication requirements set out in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [Performance Regulation].
5. The selection of small projects shall not constitute a delegation of tasks from the managing authority to an intermediate body as referred to in Article 4(4a) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].
6. Staff and other costs corresponding to the cost categories set out in this Regulation generated at the level of the beneficiary for the management of the small project fund or funds shall not exceed 20 % of the total eligible cost of the small project fund or funds, respectively.
7. Where the public contribution to a small project does not exceed EUR 100 000, the contribution from the Fund or, where applicable, the Global Europe Instrument shall take the form of unit costs, lump sums or flat rate financing, except for projects for which the support constitutes State aid.
Where the total costs of each project do not exceed EUR 100 000, the amount of support for one or more small projects may be set out on the basis of a draft budget which is established on a case-by-case basis and agreed ex ante by the beneficiary managing the small project fund.
Where flat-rate financing is used, the categories of costs to which the flat rate is applied may be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation].
8. The application for support to a small project shall not exceed two pages, excluding annexes. The managing authority shall ensure that the application form is proportionate to the amount of support requested and shall not impose administrative requirements beyond what is strictly necessary for the assessment of the application.

Or. en

Amendment 100

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. The contribution from Regulation (EU) [ NRP Regulation] to the Interreg Plan chapters to be also supported from the Global Europe Instrument, including for outermost regions, shall be established by the Commission and the Member States concerned. The contribution established for each Member State shall not subsequently be reallocated between the Member States concerned. The respective contributions from the Global Europe Instrument to Interreg Plan chapters shall take account of the involvement of Member States and the beneficiaries of the Global Europe Instrument. Support provided under Regulation (EU) (EU) [NRP Regulation] shall be granted to external cross-border cooperation chapters provided that proportionate amounts are provided by the Global Europe Instrument.1. The contribution from the Fund to the Interreg Plan chapters to be also supported from the Global Europe Instrument, including for outermost regions, shall be established by the Commission and the Member States concerned. The contribution established for each Member State shall not subsequently be reallocated between the Member States concerned. The respective contributions from the Global Europe Instrument to Interreg Plan chapters shall take account of the involvement of Member States and the beneficiaries of the Global Europe Instrument. Support provided under the Fund shall be granted to external cross-border cooperation chapters provided that at least equivalent amounts are for cross-border cooperation and proportionate amounts are provided for transnational interregional and outermost regions cooperation by the Global Europe Instrument.

Or. en

Amendment 101

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
For the implementation of an Interreg Plan chapter under shared management in a non-Member State, a financing agreement shall be concluded between the Commission, representing the Union, and each participating non-Member State, represented in accordance with its national legal framework. That financing agreement shall be considered to be a tool to implement the Union budget in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.For the implementation of an Interreg Plan chapter under shared management in a non-Member State, a financing agreement shall be concluded between the Commission, representing the Union, and each participating non-Member State, represented in accordance with its national legal framework, except in the context of internal cross-border cooperation, in accordance with Article 7a(2) of this Regulation. That financing agreement shall be considered to be a tool to implement the Union budget in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

Or. en

Amendment 102

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Where a non-Member State is required to transfer to the managing authority a financial contribution to support the Interreg Plan chapter, other than its co-financing of the Union support (‘national contribution’), the rules concerning the national contribution shall be set out in the financing agreement.Where a non-Member State transfers to the managing authority a financial contribution to support the Interreg Plan chapter, other than any ‘national contribution’ within the meaning of Article 7f(4) [Co-financing rates], the rules concerning the national contribution shall be set out in the financing agreement.

Or. en

Amendment 103

Proposal for a regulation

Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The Member State hosting the managing authority shall conclude an implementing agreement with each participating non-Member State setting out, at a minimum, detailed arrangements for payments, financial management, record keeping, reporting obligations, verifications, controls audits, irregularities and recoveries.

Or. en

Amendment 104

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. If, by [2029 or] 2030, the Interreg Plan chapter has not been submitted to the Commission by 31 March of the year concerned, the annual contribution from the NRP to that Interreg Plan chapter shall be re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.1. If, by 31 March 2030, the Interreg Plan chapter has not been submitted to the Commission, the annual contribution from the Fund to that Interreg Plan chapter shall be re-allocated to one or more Interreg Plan chapters in which the Member States concerned participate.

Or. en

Amendment 105

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
2. If, by 31 March 2031, there are still Interreg Plan chapters, which have not been submitted to the Commission, the contribution from the NRP to those Interreg Plan chapters for the remaining years up to 2034, which has not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to the Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.2. If, by 31 March 2031, there are still Interreg Plan chapters, which have not been submitted to the Commission, the contribution from the Fund to those Interreg Plan chapters for the remaining years up to 2034, which has not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to the Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.

Or. en

Amendment 106

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point i

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
i. none of the partner countries covered by the external cross-border Interreg Plan chapter concerned has signed the relevant financing agreement by the deadlines set out in accordance with Article [XX] of the Interreg Plan; ori. none of the partner countries covered by the external cross-border Interreg Plan chapter supporting cooperation on external borders has signed the relevant financing agreement by the deadlines set out in accordance with Article 11(2) of this Regulation; or

Or. en

Amendment 107

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
In cases referred to in the first subparagraph, the contribution from the NRP referred to in paragraph 1 corresponding to annual instalments not yet committed, or annual instalments committed and decommitted totally or partially during the same budgetary year, which have not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.In cases referred to in the first subparagraph, the contribution from the Fund referred to in paragraph 1 corresponding to annual instalments not yet committed, or annual instalments committed and decommitted totally or partially during the same budgetary year, which have not been re-allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter shall be allocated to another Interreg Plan chapter in which the Member State concerned participates.

Or. en

Amendment 108

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 – paragraph 4

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
4. The contribution from [external funds] reduced pursuant to this Article shall be used in accordance with the [Global Europe] Regulation respectively.4. The contribution from [external funds] [the Global Europe Instrument] reduced pursuant to this Article shall be used in accordance with the Regulation …/… [Global Europe Instrument] respectively.

Or. en

Amendment 109

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 12a
Payments and pre-financing
1. The Union financial contribution from the Fund and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument to each Interreg Plan chapter shall be paid into a single account with no national sub-accounts.
2. By way of derogation from Article 17(2) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], the Commission shall pay a pre-financing amount of 14 % of the Union financial contribution from the Fund and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument to each Interreg Plan chapter, subject to available funds. That amount shall be paid in tranches as follows:
(a) 4 % in the first year,
(b) 4 % in the second year,
(c) 3 % in the third year, and
(d) 3 % in the fourth year following the adoption of the implementing act approving the Interreg Plan chapter.
Where the implementing act approving an Interreg Plan chapter is adopted after 31 July 2028, the pre-financing referred to in the first subparagraph shall be paid in full within 60 days of the adoption of that implementing act.
3. The amount of technical assistance for an Interreg Plan chapter shall be determined exclusively by reference to the total financial allocation to that chapter and shall be independent of the degree of fulfilment of milestones and targets. As part of the first pre-financing tranche referred to in paragraph 2, an initial technical assistance advance of 4 % of the total financial allocation shall be paid to the managing authority upon adoption of the implementing act approving the Interreg Plan chapter. Subsequent annual technical assistance amounts shall be paid in accordance with paragraph 2.
4. By way of derogation from Article 17(3) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], the amounts paid as pre-financing shall be cleared from the Commission accounts on an annual basis against payment applications submitted in accordance with Article 12b [Submission and assessment of payment applications] of this Regulation. Any amounts not yet cleared shall be finally cleared upon reception of the annual assurance package for the last year of implementation.
5. Payments made by the Commission pursuant to this Article and Article 12b shall be made directly to the managing authority of the Interreg Plan chapter. No amount shall be deducted or withheld, and no specific charge or other charge with equivalent effect shall be levied that would reduce the amounts paid to the managing authority.

Or. en

Amendment 110

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 b (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 12b
Submission and assessment of payment applications
1. Payments by the Commission shall be made in accordance with the budget appropriations and subject to the available funding.
2. The managing authority shall submit to the Commission a payment application in accordance with the template set out in Annex XI to Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation]. The amounts included in a payment application shall correspond to the amounts justified by the fulfilment of milestones and targets or corresponding outputs for other interventions, in accordance with the decision approving the Interreg Plan chapter and based on the evidence collected and verified by the managing authority.
3. By way of derogation from Article 65(4) of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], payment applications shall be submitted up to ten times per calendar year by 31 October.
4. Where milestones or targets included in a payment application are not fully met, the managing authority shall provide reasons to explain why the payment application should nevertheless be executed. The amounts to be paid shall be proportional to the degree of fulfilment achieved. Any shortfall in the amount paid may be recovered through a subsequent payment application once the relevant milestones or targets have been fully met.
5. Payment applications shall not be admissible if the latest annual assurance package due has not been submitted in accordance with Article 59 [annual assurance package] of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation] and until such time that it is submitted.
6. Subject to available funding, the Commission shall make the payment within 60 days of the date on which it receives a payment application. Amounts may be paid in one or more instalments.
7. The cumulative total amount of pre-financing and payments made shall not exceed 95 % of the contribution from the Fund and, where applicable, from the Global Europe Instrument to the Interreg Plan chapter. When this ceiling is reached, the managing authority shall continue transmitting payment applications to the Commission. Without prejudice to Articles 66, 67 and 68 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], the Commission shall pay the final balance no later than 10 months following receipt of the documents for the last year of implementation.

Or. en

Amendment 111

Proposal for a regulation

Article 12 c (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 12c
Recoveries
1. The managing authority of an Interreg Plan chapter shall ensure that any amount unduly paid is recovered in the first instance from the lead or sole partner. Partners shall repay to the lead partner any amounts unduly paid. For the purposes of this Article, the managing authority shall be responsible towards the Commission for the sound financial management of the amounts paid directly to it pursuant to Article 12e(5) [Payments and pre-financing] of this Regulation.
2. The Member States, or, where applicable, the non-Member State participating in a given Interreg Plan chapter may decide that the lead or sole partner and the managing authority for the concerned chapter are not obliged to recover an amount unduly paid to any of the partners that does not exceed EUR 250 not including interest, in contribution from the resources from the Fund and Global Europe Instrument to an operation in a financial year. It shall not be required to provide information to the Commission beyond the information about making such decision pursuant to the first paragraph.
l3. Where the lead partner does not succeed in securing repayment from other partners or where the managing authority does not succeed in securing repayment from the lead or sole partner, the Member State or non-Member State on whose territory the partner concerned is located, shall reimburse the managing authority any amounts unduly paid to that partner. In the case of an EGTC, the joint responsibility of partners shall be sought.
4. Once the Member State or, where applicable, the non-Member State has reimbursed the managing authority any amounts unduly paid to a partner, it may continue or start a recovery procedure against that partner pursuant to its national law. In the event of successful recovery, the Member State or, where applicable, the non-Member State may use those amounts for the national contribution of the Interreg Plan chapter concerned. The Member State or, where applicable, the non-Member State shall not have any reporting obligations towards the responsible authorities, the monitoring committee or the Commission with regard to such national recoveries.
5. Where a Member State or, where applicable, a non-Member State has not reimbursed the managing authority any amounts unduly paid to a partner pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article, the managing authority shall apply an offset. With regard to amounts not reimbursed to the managing authority by a Member State, the managing authority shall apply an offset with regard to that Member State in accordance with the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States set out in the Interreg Plan chapter. With regard to amounts not reimbursed to the managing authority by a non-Member State, the offset shall concern subsequent payments to programmes under the Global Europe Instrument of the Union under Commission responsibility. In the case of corrections imposed by the Commission for non-fulfilment of milestones and targets, the recovery of the amounts to be returned to the Interreg Plan chapter concerned shall be carried out in accordance with the apportionment of liabilities among the participating States. This paragraph shall not apply where a shortfall in fulfilment has been addressed through a subsequent payment application in accordance with Article 12b(4).
6. This Article shall be without prejudice to the Commission’s powers to apply financial corrections in accordance with Article 68 of Regulation (EU) ..../.... [NRP Regulation], as appropriate.

Or. en

Amendment 112

Proposal for a regulation

Article 13 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The financial contribution referred to in the first subparagraph shall be subject to a specific financing agreement with the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 11(2). The Commission, the United Kingdom and Ireland shall be parties to that specific financing agreement.

Or. en

Amendment 113

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee which shall be set up in accordance with Article 88 [NRP].The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

Or. en

Amendment 114

Proposal for a regulation

Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Or. en

Amendment 115

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union

Or. en

Amendment 116

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – paragraph 1

TEMPLATE FOR THE INTERREG PLAN CHAPTER

The reference/name of the Interreg chapter

Text field [250]

Strand of Interreg cooperation

Text field [250]

Amendment

TEMPLATE FOR THE INTERREG PLAN CHAPTER

The reference/name of the Interreg Plan chapter and Strand of Interreg cooperation

Reference: Article 8(3)(a)

CCIChapter titleStrand of Interreg cooperationVersion
Text field [250]Text field [250]

The map of the geographical areas and countries covered.

Text field [number of characters]

Or. en

Amendment 117

Proposal for a regulation

Annex 1 – point 1

1. Chapter strategy

The map of the geographical areas and countries covered.

Text field [number of characters]

(a) The intervention strategy of the Interreg chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered,

Text field [3 000]

(b) Identification of the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local development and an explanation how these measures are expected to contribute to the objectives set out in Article [policy objectives] of Regulation …/… [NRP Regulation] and in Article 6 of this Regulation,

MeasureRelevant policy objectiveExplanation of the contribution
Text field [2 000]

Amendment

1 Interreg Plan chapter strategy

Reference: Article 8(3), points (b) and (c)

(a) The intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered,

Text field [5 000]

(b) Identification of the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local development and an explanation how these measures are expected to contribute to one or more of the relevant specific objectives referred to in Article 7(4) of this Regulation,

Measure IDName of measurePrimary specific objective or Interreg specific objective supported *Secondary specific objective or Interreg specific objective supported (if applicable)Explanation of the contribution
Text field [2 000]

* Considering the multidimensional aspect of investments and reforms financed by the Interreg Plan chapters, each measure may be assigned to two specific objectives, including Interreg-specific objectives:

- a ‘primary’ assignment to the specific objective predominantly related to the measure at stake;

- a ‘secondary’ assignment to capture a specific subset of the primary assignment, the possible spill-over effects on a second specific objective, or the nature of beneficiaries targeted by the measure.

Or. en

Amendment 118

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 2

2. Description of measures

Text field [2 000]

for each measure,

(a) Milestones and targets

Table containing milestones, targets and timeline for the chapters with the following information:

Measure IDName of the measureSpecific ObjectiveMilestone or target (reference number)Name of milestone/targetUnit of measurementBaselineTargetIndicative timeline for achievement (quarter and year)Description of each milestone and targetPay-out value for the milestone or arget
[1 000]

Amendment

2. Measures of the Interreg Plan chapter

(a) Description of measures

Reference: Article 8(3), points (c) and (d)

Measure IDMeasure titleDescription of the measure including the main actions envisaged and supported target groupsUnion contribution (EUR)Total estimated cost (EUR)
Text field [2 000]
Technical assistance*

* Set as a flat rate in accordance with Article 13(2) of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation]

(b) Territorial dimension of the measure

Reference: Article 14(4) of and Annex II to Regulation …/… [Performance Regulation]

Measure IDType of territory targetedType of territory targeted bis (where applicable)Measure for an outermost region/Small Aegean Islands/northern sparsely populated area/eastern border region (where applicable)Territorial tools (where applicable)
[tick box or dropdown menu] [code for territory type dimension: 01 Urban areas 02 Rural areas 05 Other types of territories targeted 07 No territorial targeting][tick box or dropdown menu] [code for territory type dimension: 03 Areas affected by industrial transition or 04 Islands and coastal areas or 05 Montainous areas][tick box for each type of territory] [Code for territory type dimension: 01 Outermost regions 02 Small Aegean Islands 03 Eastern border regions 04 Northern Sparsely Populated Areas[tick box or dropdown menu] [Code for the territorial initiative and local cooperation dimension: 01 Integrated territorial and urban development 02 Community-led local development, including LEADER 03 Other territorial tools

(c) Gender equality assessment of the measure

Reference: Article 13 of Regulation (EU)…/… [Performance regulation]

Information on how measures included comply with the principle of gender equality taking into account the gender mainstreaming methodology.

Measure IDIntervention fieldGender equality score
Measure ID 1IF1Dropdown menu gender equality score 2 gender equality score 1 gender equality score 0
IF2
Measure ID 2IF

(d) Do No Significant Harm assessment of the measure

Reference: Article 13 of Regulation (EU) …/… [Performance regulation]

Measure IDIntervention fieldDNSH assessment [1 000]
Measure ID 1IF1
IF2
Measure ID 2

Or. en

Amendment 119

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 3

3. Financing and costs

For each measure:

(a) Costing of measures

Chapter IDMeasure IDReform/ InvestmentEstimated Total Cost (EUR )Indicative breakdown of the total cost of the measure by intervention fieldMethodology used and description of the total estimated costs including based on historical data(a) Justification on the plausibility and reasonability of the total estimated costs, including audit authority assessment taking into account national and regional specificities and adjustment methodsType of territory targeted
[3000](b) [3000][code for territory type dimension]

(b) Verification of the achievement of milestones and targets

(a) Measure ID(b) Milestones/ targets(c) Describe what document(s)/system will be used to verify the achievement of the result or condition (and where relevant, each of the intermediate deliverables); (d) Describe how management verifications (including on-the-spot) will be carried out; (e) Describe what arrangements will be made to collect and store relevant data/ documents.(f) Measure ID
(g)(h)(i) [2 000](j) [1 000]

Amendment

3. Milestones, targets and result indicators

For each measure:

(a) Milestones, targets and timeline

Reference: Article 8(3), point (c)

Table containing milestones, targets and timeline for the chapters with the following information:

Measure IDName of measureIntervention fieldMilestone or target (reference number)Indicator for the milestone/target as established in Regulation (EU) …/… (Performance Regulation)/ or measure-specific unless none of those indicators are adequate*Indicative timeline for achievementDescription of each milestone and target [1000]Pay-out value [relevant for COM payments to the managing authority*]
BaselineTargetQuarterYear[Text field 1 000]

* If an indicator is not established in the Regulation (EU) …/… [Performance Regulation], the unit of measure needs to be indicated.

(b) Result indicators

Measure IDIntervention fieldMilestone or target (reference number)Result indicators
NameBaselineEstimated valueYear of achievement
Measure 1IF 1ID-GHGE avoided (where relevant): -Amount of investment mobilised (where relevant): -Other indicator component 1: -Other indicator component 2: -(…)
IF 2ID

Or. en

Amendment 120

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 3 a (new)

3 a. Financing and costs of the measures

Reference: Article 8(3), For each measure:

(a) Costing of measures

Measur e IDReform/ InvestmentTotal Estimated Cost (EUR )Union contribution (EUR)Resulting national contribution (%)Intervention fieldMethodology used and description of costs including the source and mentioning the past investment/reform projects that are benchmarks for the cost estimate and source of costs for these projectsJustification on the plausibility and reasonability of the estimated costs, where necessary taking into account national and regional specificities and adjustment methodsType of financial instrument [where applicable] (guarantee , equity or loan
%Indicative public contribution (EUR)Indicative private contribution (EUR)[3000][3000]

(b) Verification of the fulfilment of milestones and targets

Measure IDMeasure titleMilestones/ targetsDescribe what document(s)/system will be used to verify the fulfilment; Describe how management verifications (including on-the-spot) will be carried out; Describe what arrangements will be made to collect and store relevant data/ documents.Arrangements to ensure the audit trail Please list the body(ies) responsible for these arrangements.
[2 000][1 000]

Or. en

Amendment 121

Proposal for a regulation

Annex I – point 4

4. Arrangements for the implementation of the chapter

(a) Arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the chapter

Text field [3 000]

(b) Arrangements and systems to ensure a regular, effective and efficient use of EU resources, in compliance with sound financial management and the protection of the financial interests of the Union in line with Article XX [Responsibilities of Member States for the Interreg chapter];

Text field [3 000]

(c) Chapter authorities

Chapter AuthorityName of the Institution [500]Contact name [200]
Managing Authority
Audit Authority

(d) Summary of the consultation process conducted for the preparation of the chapter and the role of partners in implementation, monitoring and evaluation

Text field [2 000]

(e) Description of the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in the event of financial corrections imposed by the managing authority or the Commission

Text field [2 000]

Amendment

4. Arrangements for the implementation of the Interreg Plan chapter

(a) Arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the Interreg Plan chapter

Reference: Article 8(3), point (e)

Managing authority: description of how the managing authority will manage the Interreg Plan chapter in accordance with Article 51 [functions of the managing authority] of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] and Article 10 of this Regulation

Text field [1 000]

Audit authority: description

Text field [1 000]

Monitoring committee: description of the organisation and structure of monitoring committee; the arrangements envisaged to ensure the monitoring of the Plan is in compliance with Article 10a

Text field [1 000]

(a bis) Description of the envisaged approach to information, communication and visibility for the Interreg Plan chapter

Reference: Article 8(3), point (e)

Description of the arrangements to ensure the visibility of the Union funding, in particular when promoting the actions and their results and inform recipients of the existence of Union support or oblige other financial intermediaries to inform such final recipients of that support

Text field [2000]

(b) Arrangements and systems to ensure a regular, effective and efficient use of EU resources, in compliance with sound financial management and the protection of the financial interests of the Union in line with Article 58 of Regulation (EU) …/… [NRP Regulation] [Responsibilities of Member States];

Reference: Article 8(3), point (h)

Text field [3 000]

(c) Interreg Plan chapter authorities

AuthorityName of the Institution [500]Contact name [200]
Managing Authority
National authorities (where applicable)
Audit Authority
Group of auditors representatives

(d) Summary of the consultation process conducted for the preparation of the chapter and the role of partners in implementation, monitoring and evaluation

Reference: Article 8(3), point (f)

Text field [2 000]

(e) Description of the apportionment of liabilities among the participating Member States and, where applicable, non-Member States, in the event of financial corrections imposed by the managing authority or the Commission

Reference: Article 8(3), point (g)

Text field [2 000]

Or. en