European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn today presented a proposal to reform the EU Solidarity Fund.
The plans, adopted today by the European Commission, will make the Fund more responsive and simpler to use, based on clearer criteria for beneficiaries.
Since its creation in 2002, the Solidarity Fund intervened across Europe supporting 52 disasters, including earthquakes, forest fires, droughts, storms and floods. 23 countries were supported, with a value of more than 3,2 billion euros.
If the proposals presented today are approved by the European Parliament and the EU Member States, the affected countries and regions can expect significant improvements in the intervention of the Solidarity Fund.
Commissioner Hahn said: “We have to be more reactive to help countries rebuild and recover from disasters. The European Commission's proposal is a clear expression of solidarity to help Europe's regions or countries in case of need. The changes we have introduced will make it possible to use the Solidarity Fund in a faster, clearer and simpler way. They will also encourage countries to redouble their disaster prevention and management efforts now. I would also like to ask the European Parliament and the Member States to approve these plans and create now a Solidarity Fund that works more efficiently and effectively”.
The new legislative proposal simplifies the existing rules so that support can be paid at a faster rate than currently.
The plans provide for the first time the possibility of making advance payments. They define more clearly who can benefit from support and which disasters are eligible, particularly in the regions.
In addition, the reform encourages Member States to place more emphasis in their agendas on disaster prevention measures and risk management strategies.
The Fund's principles and financing modalities remain unchanged and outside the general budget of the EU.
What are the essential reforms?
· Clarify the scope of application of Solidarity Fund, limiting it to natural disasters and extending it to droughts.
· Clarify the eligibility rules for regional disasters by introducing a single damage threshold eligible for support corresponding to 1,5% of the regional gross domestic product.
· Make advance payments possible for the first time: 10% of the planned contribution with a limit of 30 million euros.
· Shorten the administrative procedure, merging the approval and implementation phases into a single agreement.
· Implement measures to promote disaster risk prevention strategies: inform about reporting requirements and possible conditions for support.
What is the European Union Solidarity Fund?
O European Union Solidarity Fund (FSEU) was created to support EU Member States and candidate countries for accession by providing financial support after the occurrence of major natural disasters. The fund was created to respond to the severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002. List of all EUSF grants
In principle, the fund's interventions are limited to financing emergency operations undertaken by public authorities. Damage suffered by individuals and loss of income cannot be covered by the fund.
On October 6, 2011, the Commission published a communication on the future of the Solidarity Fund. The amended regulation of the European Union Solidarity Fund was presented by the Commission today (25 July). The next step will be its transmission to the European Parliament and the Council for adoption.
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