The European Commission announced a proposal on Wednesday 30 November to amend the regulation laying down common provisions (Regulation 1303/2013), making regional reconstruction projects in the aftermath of a natural disaster eligible for up to 100% co-financing.
This new measure would apply to the European regional development fund (ERDF) and seek to supplement support from the EU solidarity fund. Applications could be made directly after a disaster. More precisely, the Commission is proposing that Article 120 (of Regulation 1303/2013) on the determination of co-financing rates be amended and that “the possibility of a separate priority axis” be introduced that will allow full funding within the framework of cohesion policy, for example, to restore cultural heritage.
The proposal will have no impact on the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework, the Commission states. It is now for the Council and the European Parliament to give their green light to the amendment, something that is likely to be done quickly, according to a diplomatic source who suggests that it could be adopted within three or four months.
The announcement came at the same time as the decision to award aid for reconstruction of the area of Central Italy that suffered a severe earthquake and aftershocks in August (see EUROPE 11610). The aid is in two strands: disbursement of an initial tranche of €30 million within the next seven days from the EU solidarity fund (EUSF) and co-financing of up to 100% for reconstruction – this latter would require an amendment of the rules.
The Commission is also currently processing the Italian application for EUSF assistance (see EUROPE 11671). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)