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OPINION ((COM(2025)0164 – C100064/2025 – (2025/0085(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges

SEDE-AD-774452

Committee on Security and Defence · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet

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The Committee on Security and Defence proposes amendments to the ESF+ regulation to support defence industry skills, cybersecurity, and regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.

Committee position. The Committee on Security and Defence proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, focusing on increasing support for defence-related skills and regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.

Key points

  1. Increases 2026 one-off pre-financing to 4.5% of total ESF+ support, and to 9.5% for programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine, with conditions.
  2. Lowers the required reallocation threshold for additional pre-financing from 15% to 5% of programme resources to dedicated priorities.
  3. Extends eligibility, reimbursement, and decommitment deadline to 31 December 2030 for programmes reallocating at least 5% to dedicated priorities.
  4. Requires Member States to work closely with social partners when reprogramming and respect working conditions under ILO conventions, Union and national law, and collective agreements.
  5. Sets maximum co-financing rate at 100% for priorities in programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine, under conditions.
  6. Expands support to include cybersecurity, civil defence, and preparedness skills, and promotes recognition of military-acquired skills.
  7. Increases exceptional one-off pre-financing for dedicated priorities from 30% to 35% of the allocation.
  8. Requires funds allocated to dedicated priorities to contribute to addressing critical capability gaps set out in the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030.

Who is affected

  • Member states with programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine benefit from higher pre-financing and co-financing rates.
  • Defence industry and cybersecurity sectors gain support for skills development and related actions.
  • Social partners are involved in reprogramming decisions.

Figures and deadlines

  • 4.5% of total ESF+ support as additional one-off pre-financing in 2026.
  • 9.5% pre-financing for programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
  • Reallocation threshold of at least 5% of financial resources.
  • Deadline of 31 December 2030 for eligibility, reimbursement, and decommitment.
  • 100% maximum co-financing rate for priorities in programmes covering NUTS2 regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.
  • 35% exceptional one-off pre-financing for dedicated priorities.