Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the European Commission
16.9.2022
The fastest way to assist Member States, regional and local authorities is through existing instruments from the previous and current Multiannual Financial Framework.
The Commission introduced extra flexibility under 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes with the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE)[1] allowing swift reallocation of available funding to emergency support for people fleeing Ukraine.
The Commission paid out EUR 3.5 billion of increased pre-financing under REACT-EU and extended the possibility for 100% co-financing for one more year.
The Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST — CARE) proposal, put forward on 29 June 2022, further extends the 100% co-financing option and provides additional EUR 3.5 billion of pre-financing for the new cohesion programmes[2].
The Commission also mobilised assets under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. To support the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive[3] for persons fleeing Ukraine, it set up a Solidarity Platform[4].
It also introduced additional flexibility in the 2014-2020 Home Affairs Funds. Under the Home Affairs Funds for 2021-2027, EUR 400 million for Emergency Assistance was made available for supporting the Member States most affected by the mass influx of displaced persons[5].
To facilitate optimal and complementary use of available EU funds, the Commission established a ‘one-stop-shop’ for questions from national and regional authorities and runs a platform to provide explanations on the legal provisions.
Furthermore, on 21 March 2022, the Commission launched a dedicated call under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI)[6] to support Member States in welcoming refugees from Ukraine. Nine Member States shall benefit from this support[7].
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/562.
- [2] COM(2022) 324 final. There is also a requirement for certain priorities that at least 30% of the funding must go to local authorities or civil society organisations.
- [3] Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382.
- [4] The platform has regularly discussed key challenges faced at local and regional levels with providing assistance to displaced persons.
- [5] On this regard, a first tranche of EUR 248 million has been already deployed as Emergency Assistance under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and under the Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument (BMVI). Part of the AMIF Emergency Assistance will target regional and local authorities as well as civil society organisations to acknowledge the crucial role they are playing in providing first reception to displaced persons from Ukraine.
- [6] Regulation (EU) 2021/240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 February 2021 establishing a Technical Support Instrument.
- [7] The support aims to improve, among others, the absorption of EU funds for reception and integration purposes as well as the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive. It will remain available to Member States under the TSI 2023 annual cycle.