On Tuesday 29 March, the European Commission approved the Swedish recovery plan with €3.3 billion in grants only under the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan.
In its analysis, the EU institution notes that the Swedish plan devotes 44.4% of its total budget to measures that support Sweden’s 2045 climate neutrality target. In particular, measures are planned to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry and transport through the development of innovative technologies. Fuel suppliers will be forced to use sustainable biofuels blended into petrol, diesel and aviation fuels.
Of the total budget, 20.5% will support the digital transition by deploying very high speed broadband in sparsely populated areas, increasing the digitalisation of public administration and promoting digital skills.
Measures are also being taken to improve the accessibility and capacity of the healthcare system, and the skills of healthcare workers. The Swedish plan also includes measures that alleviate the housing shortage by providing new rental housing at lower rents.
The EU Council has one month to formally approve the Swedish plan.
The Commission services are still analysing the Bulgarian, Hungarian and Polish recovery plans. The Dutch plan has still not been officially transmitted to the EU institution.
For more information on the Swedish recovery plan: - Commission proposal for a decision: https://aeur.eu/f/10m; - annex to the proposal for a decision: https://aeur.eu/f/10n; - analysis of the Swedish plan: https://aeur.eu/f/10k (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)