On Thursday 29 April, the European Commission approved the modification of two new Operational Programmes (OPs) under the REACT-EU initiative that make available nearly €300 million for France and Germany .
Germany is expected to receive a surplus of €205 million, while France is expected to receive €92.3 million. For example, in Germany, the modification of the ‘North Rhine-Westphalia OP’ will allow for the financing of stimulus measures linked to the dual green and digital transition.
Investments will include distance learning in schools and other training institutions, digitalisation of businesses and greening of the transport sector.
In France, the modification of the ‘Lower Normandy OP’ will support, in Lower but also Higher Normandy, the health sector as well as SMEs in the tourism sector. These funds will also help accelerate investments in energy transition, sustainable mobility and “urban regeneration”.
Several Member States have already received a green light from the European Commission under REACT-EU, including Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Austria (see EUROPE 12704/6, 12701/10). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)