opinion parliamentary committee, 17 June 2025
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges
Document SEDE-AD-774452 · ((COM(2025)0164 – C100064/2025 – (2025/0085(COD))
Committee on Security and Defence · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet
AI:In short
The Committee on Security and Defence proposes amendments to the ESF+ regulation to support defence industry skills, cybersecurity, and regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
Position. The Committee on Security and Defence proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, focusing on increasing support for defence-related skills and regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
Key points
- Increases 2026 one-off pre-financing to 4.5% of total ESF+ support, and to 9.5% for programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine, with conditions.
- Lowers the required reallocation threshold for additional pre-financing from 15% to 5% of programme resources to dedicated priorities.
- Extends eligibility, reimbursement, and decommitment deadline to 31 December 2030 for programmes reallocating at least 5% to dedicated priorities.
- Requires Member States to work closely with social partners when reprogramming and respect working conditions under ILO conventions, Union and national law, and collective agreements.
- Sets maximum co-financing rate at 100% for priorities in programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine, under conditions.
- Expands support to include cybersecurity, civil defence, and preparedness skills, and promotes recognition of military-acquired skills.
- Increases exceptional one-off pre-financing for dedicated priorities from 30% to 35% of the allocation.
- Requires funds allocated to dedicated priorities to contribute to addressing critical capability gaps set out in the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030.
Who is affected
- Member states with programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine benefit from higher pre-financing and co-financing rates.
- Defence industry and cybersecurity sectors gain support for skills development and related actions.
- Social partners are involved in reprogramming decisions.
Figures and deadlines
- 4.5% of total ESF+ support as additional one-off pre-financing in 2026.
- 9.5% pre-financing for programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
- Reallocation threshold of at least 5% of financial resources.
- Deadline of 31 December 2030 for eligibility, reimbursement, and decommitment.
- 100% maximum co-financing rate for priorities in programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
- 35% exceptional one-off pre-financing for dedicated priorities.
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
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Text 64 paragraphs
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Security and Defence submits the following to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) The White paper for European Defence – Readiness 20303 paves the way for a true European defence union, including by suggesting to Member States to heavily invest into defence and the defence industry. In that regard, the Communication from the Commission - the Union of Skills of 5 March 20254 (‘the Union of Skills Communication’) sets out actions to address skills gaps and shortages in the Union, also through the Pact for Skills Initiative referred to in that Communication, and its large-scale partnerships, including one on the defence ecosystem. Therefore, it is appropriate to include incentives for the ESF+ established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 to facilitate the development of skills in the defence industry. | (2) The White paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 of 19 March 2025 paves the way for a true European defence union, including by suggesting to Member States to heavily invest into defence and the defence industry. Investment in defence and security-related skills covering dual use and transferable skills contributes not only to European defence resilience but also to territorial cohesion. In that regard, the Communication from the Commission - the Union of Skills of 5 March 20254 (‘the Union of Skills Communication’) sets out actions to address skills gaps and shortages in the Union, also through the Pact for Skills Initiative referred to in that Communication, and its large-scale partnerships, including one on the defence ecosystem. Furthermore, lifelong learning programmes and initiatives should promote continuous development and adaptation to emerging technologies and defence needs. Moreover, in the European Defence Industrial Strategy of 5 March 2024, the Commission set the priority of the full integration of defence and security as a strategic objective of relevant Union funding and programmes, including ESF+. Therefore, it is appropriate to include incentives for the ESF+ established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 to facilitate the development of skills in the European defence industry, in particular to address skills gaps and shortages directly related to the ability to address the critical capability gaps set out in the White paper. Defence industry should be understood as the industries producing defence products, their respective supply chains, and industries which develop and produce dual-use goods. |
| 3 Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030, JOIN(2025) 120 final, 19.3.2025. | |
| 4 COM (2025) 90 final | 4 COM (2025) 90 final |
| 5 Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj). | 5 Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj). |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2a) In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 , Member States should promote synergies and avoid duplications between actions arising for dedicated priorities referred to in Article 12c and actions resulting from other Union programmes that benefit the defence industry. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Read the rest (52 paragraphs)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 5a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| In 2026, the Commission shall pay 4,5 % of the total support from the ESF+ as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as additional one-off pre-financing. The one-off pre-financing percentage in 2026 shall be increased to 9,5% for programmes covering one or more NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, provided the programme does not cover the entire territory of the Member State. Where, in a Member State, NUTS 2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine are included exclusively in programmes covering the entire territory of that Member State, the increased pre-financing set out in this paragraph shall apply to those programmes. | In 2026, the Commission shall pay 4,5 % of the total support from the ESF+ as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as additional one-off pre-financing. The one-off pre-financing percentage in 2026 shall be increased to 9,5% for programmes covering one or more NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, provided the programme does not cover the entire territory of the Member State. Where, in a Member State, NUTS 2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine are included exclusively in programmes covering the entire territory of that Member State, the increased pre-financing set out in this paragraph shall apply to those programmes. NUTS 2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine require special attention and exceptional support as they are often at the frontline of potential conflicts and they are vulnerable to external threats, making it crucial to support their resilience in countering hybrid attacks, breaches of the Union's external borders, terrorist activities and war. |
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 5a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| The additional pre-financing referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall only apply where reallocations of at least 15% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d have been approved; provided that the request for a programme amendment is submitted by 31 December 2025. | The additional pre-financing referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall only apply where reallocations of at least 5% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d have been approved; provided that the request for a programme amendment is submitted by 31 December 2025. |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 5a – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) By way of derogation from Article 63(2) and Article 105(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the deadline for the eligibility of expenditure, the reimbursement of costs as well as for decommitment shall be 31 December 2030. That derogation shall only apply where programme amendments reallocating at least 15% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d of this Regulation in the context of the mid-term review have been approved. | (2) By way of derogation from Article 63(2) and Article 105(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the deadline for the eligibility of expenditure, the reimbursement of costs as well as for decommitment shall be 31 December 2030. That derogation shall only apply where programme amendments reallocating at least 5% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d of this Regulation in the context of the mid-term review have been approved. |
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 5a – paragraph 2a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2a) The Member States shall work closely with social partners, when reprogramming, and respect working and employment conditions under applicable ILO conventions, Union and national law and collective agreements. |
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 5a – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3) By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rate for priorities in programmes covering one or more NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine shall be 100 %. The higher co-financing rate shall not apply to programmes covering the entire territory of the Member State concerned, unless those regions are included only in programmes covering the entire territory of that Member State. The derogation shall only apply where reallocations of at least 15% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d of this Regulation in the context of the mid-term review have been approved, provided that the programme amendment is submitted by 31 December 2025. | (3) By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rate for priorities in programmes covering one or more NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine shall be 100 %. The higher co-financing rate shall not apply to programmes covering the entire territory of the Member State concerned, unless those regions are included only in programmes covering the entire territory of that Member State. The derogation shall only apply where reallocations of at least 5% of the financial resources of the programme to one or more dedicated priorities established in accordance with Articles 12a, 12c and 12d of this Regulation in the context of the mid-term review have been approved, provided that the programme amendment is submitted by 31 December 2025. |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12c – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Support to the defence industry | Support European defence industry and cybersecurity |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12c – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) Member States may decide to programme support to development of skills in the defence industry under dedicated priorities. Such dedicated priorities may support any of the specific objectives set out in Article 4(1), points (a) to (l). | (1) Member States may decide to programme support to development of skills in the defence industry and related cybersecurity, as well as in skills related to civil defence and preparedness under dedicated priorities to meet urgent needs. Such dedicated priorities may support any of the specific objectives set out in Article 4(1), points (a) to (l). This support may include actions that promote the recognition of skills acquired during military service and facilitate their conversion into qualifications recognised on the civilian labour market. |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| In addition to the yearly pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the Commission shall pay 30% of the allocation to the dedicated priorities referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as exceptional one-off pre-financing. | In addition to the yearly pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the Commission shall pay 35% of the allocation to the dedicated priorities referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as exceptional one-off pre-financing. |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12c – paragraph 5a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (5a) When allocating funds to dedicated priorities pursuant to paragraph 1, Member States shall ensure that those funds contribute to the Member States’ ability to address critical capability gaps set out in the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030. |
Annex: entities or persons from whom the rapporteur has received input 1 paragraph
The rapporteur for the opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Procedure pages
How the committees handled the text, and how their members voted on it.
Procedure – committee asked for opinion 1 paragraph
| Title | Amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges | |
| References | COM(2025)0164 – C10-0064/2025 – 2025/0085(COD) | |
| Committee(s) responsible | EMPL | |
| Opinion by Date announced in plenary | SEDE 5.5.2025 | |
| Rapporteur for the opinion Date appointed | Urmas Paet 14.5.2025 | |
| Discussed in committee | 3.6.2025 | |
| Date adopted | 16.6.2025 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 31 8 4 |
| Members present for the final vote | Petras Auštrevičius, Wouter Beke, Marc Botenga, Tobias Cremer, Salvatore De Meo, Özlem Demirel, Elio Di Rupo, Michał Dworczyk, Alberico Gambino, Niclas Herbst, Costas Mavrides, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Catarina Mendes, Sven Mikser, Hans Neuhoff, Andrey Novakov, Kostas Papadakis, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Reinis Pozņaks, Marjan Šarec, Mārtiņš Staķis, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Michał Szczerba, Riho Terras, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, Mihai Tudose, Reinier Van Lanschot, Roberto Vannacci, Michael von der Schulenburg, Alexandr Vondra, Lucia Yar | |
| Substitutes present for the final vote | José Cepeda, Bart Groothuis, Marina Mesure, Thijs Reuten, Hélder Sousa Silva, Villy Søvndal, Petra Steger, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Matej Tonin, Marta Wcisło | |
| Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote | Anna Bryłka, Tomasz Buczek |
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 paragraphs
31 · For
- ECR
- Michał Dworczyk, Alberico Gambino, Reinis Pozņaks, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Alexandr Vondra
- EPP
- Wouter Beke, Salvatore De Meo, Niclas Herbst, Vangelis Meimarakis, Andrey Novakov, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Hélder Sousa Silva, Michał Szczerba, Riho Terras, Matej Tonin, Marta Wcisło
- Patriots
- Pierre-Romain Thionnet
- Renew
- Petras Auštrevičius, Bart Groothuis, Marjan Šarec, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Lucia Yar
- S&D
- José Cepeda, Tobias Cremer, Elio Di Rupo, Costas Mavrides, Ana Catarina Mendes, Sven Mikser, Thijs Reuten, Mihai Tudose
- Greens
- Mārtiņš Staķis
8 · Against
- ESN
- Hans Neuhoff
- No group
- Kostas Papadakis, Michael von der Schulenburg
- Patriots
- Petra Steger, Roberto Vannacci
- The Left
- Marc Botenga, Özlem Demirel, Marina Mesure
4 · Abstained
- Patriots
- Anna Bryłka, Tomasz Buczek
- Greens
- Villy Søvndal, Reinier Van Lanschot