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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2026)0155 – C100200/2026 – 2026/0197(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 Belgium – EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora

BUDG-PR-792010

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Budgets on a proposal to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers for Belgium, following application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora. It agrees that the conditions of the EGF Regulation are met and that Belgium is entitled to EUR 3 821 460, which is 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836. The application concerns 1 257 displacements at Cora SA and one supplier, with 1 010 displaced workers in Wallonia as targeted beneficiaries. The personalised services include outplacement and vocational guidance, skills certification, training, support for business creation, a contribution to business start-up and incentives and allowances. The report approves the decision annexed to the resolution.

Committee position. The rapporteur agrees with the Commission that the conditions of the EGF Regulation are met and that Belgium is entitled to EUR 3 821 460, and approves the decision annexed to the resolution.

Key points

  1. Belgium submitted application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora following 1 257 displacements in retail trade and land transport in Bruxelles Capitale, Hainaut, Liége and Luxembourg.
  2. The application is based on Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation, and a clear causal link is established for 595 displacements outside the reference period.
  3. Cora has faced progressive down-sizing and collective redundancies since September 2025 amid changes in retail, e-commerce growth and competition from non-EU online retailers.
  4. Le Forem and Région Wallonne provide the national pre-financing and co-funding of the measures.
  5. The EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices).
  6. Parliament agrees that Belgium is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460, which is 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836.
  7. The contribution comprises EUR 4 441 774 for personalised services and EUR 54 062 for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities.
  8. The application relates to 1 257 displaced workers, with 1 010 displaced workers residing in Wallonia as targeted beneficiaries.
  9. Eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, and one in three is aged over 54.
  10. Personalised services include outplacement, skills certification, training, support for business creation, a contribution to business start-up of up to EUR 15 000, and incentives and allowances.
  11. Belgium shall ensure the visibility of Union funding, and thorough final evaluations and appropriate monitoring and control of EGF funding are called for.
  12. Belgium started providing personalised services on 1 September 2025 and incurring administrative expenditure on 9 April 2025; the eligibility period runs until 24 months and 31 months after the entry into force of the financing decision.

Who is affected

  • Belgium: receives a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460 from the EGF.
  • 1 010 displaced workers in Wallonia: targeted beneficiaries of personalised services.
  • Cora SA and one supplier: source of the 1 257 displacements.
  • Le Forem and Région Wallonne: provide national pre-financing and co-funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 3 821 460: financial contribution from the EGF.
  • 85 %: share of the total cost covered by the EGF contribution.
  • EUR 4 495 836: total cost of the proposed actions.
  • EUR 4 441 774: expenditure for personalised services.
  • EUR 54 062: expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities.
  • EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices): maximum annual amount of the EGF.
  • EUR 15 000: maximum contribution to business start-up.
  • EUR 2 per hour: job-search allowance for effective participation in job-search activities.