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REPORT (COM(2026)0555 – C100209/2026 – 2026/0254(BUD))

On the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Finland – EGF/2026/004 FI/Etelä-Suomi and Helsinki-Uusimaa paper

A-10-2026-0273

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Aura Salla

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's draft resolution approves using the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 351 workers dismissed in Finland's paper industry in Etelä-Suomi and Helsinki-Uusimaa. It endorses a financial contribution of EUR 1 102 560, which is 60% of total costs of EUR 1 837 600, and calls on Finland to target support at older and lower-skilled workers. It lists the personalised services to be funded, asks for a thorough final evaluation, and stresses that the EGF cannot replace proactive industrial or structural policy. The annexed draft decision releases the amount from the 2026 budget and applies from the date of adoption.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgets proposes that Parliament approve the use of the EGF for Finland, endorse the EUR 1 102 560 contribution and adopt the annexed decision, while asking for targeted support, social partner involvement and a final evaluation.

Key points

  1. Parliament agrees with the Commission that the conditions of Article 4(2)(b) of the EGF Regulation are met and that Finland is entitled to EUR 1 102 560.
  2. The contribution covers 60% of total costs of EUR 1 837 600: EUR 1 769 600 for personalised services and EUR 68 000 for preparation, management, information, control and reporting.
  3. The application concerns 351 beneficiaries dismissed in the paper manufacturing sector across four companies.
  4. Finland submitted the application on 19 May 2026; the Commission completed its assessment on 8 September 2026.
  5. Parliament notes that almost 90% of the dismissed workers are men and half are older than 54, and asks Finnish authorities to remove structural barriers and tailor support to age, gender and education level.
  6. The personalised services package includes job-search training and career coaching, vocational training, start-up aid, an AI-supported pilot on recruitment needs, wage subsidies and a mobility allowance.
  7. Social partners should be involved throughout implementation, including monitoring, and Finnish authorities must make the Union funding visible to beneficiaries and the public.
  8. Parliament stresses that the EGF is a solidarity and just-transition instrument that cannot replace proactive industrial policy or national and contractual obligations.
  9. It calls for a thorough final evaluation of how funds were used, workers' reintegration and whether the EGF's objectives were met.
  10. Finland began personalised services and administrative spending on 1 January 2026; support can run until 24 or 31 months after the financing decision enters into force.
  11. Finland has assured equal treatment, non-discrimination and no double funding; Parliament asks the Commission to use existing and future Union instruments in a targeted and complementary way.
  12. The annexed decision releases EUR 1 102 560 in commitment and payment appropriations under the 2026 budget and applies from the date of its adoption.

Who is affected

  • 351 dismissed paper-industry workers in Etelä-Suomi and Helsinki-Uusimaa, who are to receive personalised services.
  • Finland's national and regional authorities, which provide co-financing and must publicise the Union funding.
  • Four paper companies in the two regions, where the dismissals occurred.
  • Social partners, to be involved throughout implementation and monitoring of the EGF measures.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 1 102 560: EGF financial contribution.
  • 60%: share of total costs covered by the EGF contribution.
  • EUR 1 837 600: total costs of the proposed measures.
  • EUR 1 769 600: expenditure on personalised services.
  • EUR 68 000: expenditure on preparation, management, information, control and reporting.
  • 351: dismissals and beneficiaries concerned.
  • 1 October 2025 to 1 April 2026: reference period for the dismissals.
  • EUR 30 million (2018 prices): annual ceiling of the EGF.

Legal basis: Article 15(1), first subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2021/691 on the EGF.