On Tuesday, 19 January, the European Commission approved Austrian support measures worth €300 million for event organisers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Today’s decision confirms the agreement in principle that was reached in December 2020.
Following the approval of several Austrian State aid schemes meant to support companies facing economic difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak, Austria notified the European Commission of a scheme aiming to provide additional aid to event organisers under the Temporary Framework.
Austria plans to provide economic support to all undertakings (including self-employed individuals, associations, and institutions) that will organise events in the country between 1 February 2021 and 31 December 2022, should these events have to be cancelled or organised with significant restrictions. Companies in the primary production of agricultural products, fisheries and aquaculture, coal, steel, synthetic fibre, and shipbuilding sectors as well as financial institutions are excluded from the measure. The public support will take the form of direct grants. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)