Brussels, 28/03/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 28 March, the European Commission announced new funding under the REACT-EU initiative totalling €107.3 million to support regions in France (€17.5 million), Germany (€29.5 million) and the Netherlands (€60.3 million). This money will fund innovation, especially in the field of e-education, digital technology, and the energy sector, as well as to strengthen hospital infrastructure. On 11 March, €41.5 billion (out of approximately €50 billion) had been allocated under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). While the initiative was originally intended to address the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic, REACT-EU is now being asked to support regions hosting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion as part of the CARE initiative (see EUROPE 12906/6). (PH)