REACT-EU: Commission approves €923 million of additional resources for the recovery in Spain
The Commission has granted €923 million for the recovery and digital and green transition of Spain under REACT-EU to be implemented through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) operational programmes.
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira i, said: “Cohesion policy has been at the forefront of the fight against the economic, social and territorial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and is now playing a crucial role in the economic recovery process. I am happy that these additional resources will strengthen the health sector and give Spain a significant support for a green, digital and cohesive recovery. ”
Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit i, said: “Europe needs a recovery that is socially fair. The European Social Fund invests in people, and these additional funds will support those who need it most: young and elderly people, those who lost their jobs, and persons with disabilities. European solidarity and investment will help lay the ground for just and job-rich recovery.”
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-The multiregional operational programme for the ERDF will be reinforced with additional resources of €890 million to support the acquisition of more than 34 million doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, the organisation of the vaccination process in Spain and investments in products and services for the health sector. The funds will also support investments contributing to the transition to a green economy.
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-In Aragón the ESF operational programme will receive an additional €25.5 million to support the unemployed, elderly people and persons with disabilities. Unemployed young people and those in long-term unemployment will receive tailored support through guidance and training to improve their skills or learn new ones. Authorities will focus on training in emerging sectors on those that have been particularly affected by the crisis. The funds will also reinforce the protection of vulnerable groups, for instance by supporting care and social protection of elderly people, securing additional interpreters of sign language so people with hearing impairments can access services more easily, and with adapted social transport projects.
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-In Murcia the ESF operational programme will receive an additional €7.3 million to finance the hiring of additional educational staff during the pandemic and to set up the necessary health and safety measures allowing face-to-face teaching of smaller groups in schools.
Background
As part of NextGenerationEU, REACT-EU provides a top-up of €47.5 billion (€50.6 billion in current prices) to Cohesion policy programmes over the course of 2021 and 2022. Measures focus on supporting labour market resilience, jobs, SMEs and low-income families, as well as setting future-proof foundations for the green and digital transitions and a sustainable socio-economic recovery in accordance with the REACT-EU objectives and with the 2020 country specific recommendations for the country concerned.
These additional resources should be used for projects that foster crisis repair capacities in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as investments in operations contributing to preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy.
REACT-EU entered into force on 24 December 2020 and can finance expenditure retroactively from 1 February 2020 until 31 December 2023.
For More Information
Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (CRII+)