MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Modification of ERDF and ESF + Operational Programmes 2021-2027 following RESTORE – E-000921/2025(ASW)

The Commission has not received any request to divert the European Social Fund Plus and the European Regional Development Fund to sustain the reconstruction efforts following the damage caused by the natural disaster, especially in Valencia.

The Commission is informed that the Spanish authorities are working to determine the appropriate allocation, taking into consideration the ongoing mid-term review aimed at evaluating the progress of the 2021-2027 programmes.

The regional and national authorities can seize this opportunity to introduce the new specific objective RESTORE[1] in the new version of the programmes, which are expected to be submitted to the Commission by 24 June 2025.

The RESTORE amendment proposals expected to be submitted by the Spanish authorities will detail the objectives and the financial allocations for reconstruction in the cohesion policy programmes. They will need to be approved by the Commission, in line with the funds’ regulations.

On 20 January 2025, the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF)[2] and requested an advance payment.

As the application is eligible for EUSF assistance, on 31 March 2025, the Commission disbursed an advance payment of EUR 100 million to Spain. This is the maximum amount allowed under the EUSF as advance payment.

• [1] As outlined in the regulation (EU) 2024/3236 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1057 and (EU) 2021/1058 as regards Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE).
• [2] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32002R2012