Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedII. The Commission's proposal

RemovedOn 29 February 2024, the Commission adopted a new proposal for a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF.

RemovedIt concerns the mobilisation of EUR 165 000 from the Fund, covering technical assistance for the Commission. The objective of the technical assistance is to finance technical and administrative expenditure for the implementation of the EGF, such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, as well as data gathering, including in relation to corporate information technology systems, communication activities and those enhancing the EGF’s visibility as a fund or with regard to specific projects and other technical assistance measures. According to Article 11(1) of the EGF Regulation, a maximum of 0.5% of the annual maximum amount of the EGF can be made available each year for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.

RemovedThe requested amount of EUR 165 000 represents approximately 0.49% of the annual maximum amount of the EGF and is intended to cover the following activities:

Removed1. Expert Group meetings: The Expert Group of Contact Persons of the EGF, with two members from each Member State, will be holding its regular meetings in 2024 (one virtual meeting and one in presence). The EP should be invited to attend the meetings according to current legislative framework.

Removed2. Networking seminar: In addition, in order to promote networking among the Member States, the Commission will organise one seminar with the participation of the implementing bodies of the EGF and social partners. The EP should be invited to attend to the meetings according to current legislative framework.

Removed3. Electronic data exchange system: The Commission is continuing its work on standardised procedures for EGF applications and case management, using the functionalities of the Shared Fund Management Common System (SFC). This allows applications under the EGF Regulation to be simplified, their processing sped up and various reports more easily extracted. The SFC interface is also facilitating the EGF financial operations. This includes in particular: (1) Maintenance of the SFC 2014-2020 application and final report modules for the closure of cases for the EGF 2014-2020; (2) Further development of the EGF 2021-2027 interface in SFC, in particular new functionalities and adjustments to align SFC with the requirements of the EGF Regulation 2021-2027.

Removed4. Monitoring and data gathering: The Commission will collect data on applications received, funded and wound up, and measures proposed and implemented. This data will be made available on the website and compiled in appropriate form for future biennial reports.

RemovedIII. Procedure

RemovedIn order to mobilise the Fund, the Commission has submitted to the Budget Authority a transfer request for a global amount of EUR 165 000 in commitment appropriations from the EGF reserve (budget line 30 04 02), and EUR 165 000 in payment appropriations from the EGF operational line (16 02 02), to the EGF support expenditure budget line (16 01 01).

RemovedAccording to an internal agreement within the Parliament, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the Committee on Regional Policy should be associated to the process, in order to provide constructive support and contribute to the assessment of the applications from the Fund.