Source: European Parliament
1. In January 2025 , the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund[1]. The Commission’s assessment confirmed that the application is eligible and an advance of EUR 100 million to help kick-start recovery operations has been paid[2]. Next, it will determine the amount of the assistance, within the limits of the available financial resources, and submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for approval which takes at least 6 weeks.
2. In December 2024, the Commission-proposed amendment to the European Regional Development Fund/Cohesion Fund Regulation and the European Social Fund+ Regulation (Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE))[3] was adopted, which allows national, regional and local authorities to quickly mobilise Cohesion Policy funds to respond to disasters. RESTORE funds disaster reconstruction, prevention and the mitigation of socioeconomic impacts[4]. The Commission is yet to receive a request from Spain to redirect funds.
3. The European Climate Law[5] mandates Member States to ensure progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Member States are required to adopt and implement national adaptation strategies and plans and consider the particular vulnerability of relevant sectors.
The Commission also announced[6] a European Climate Adaptation Plan to further support Member States in preparedness and resilience planning. The Commission will also ensure that all relevant EU programmes contribute to climate resilience[7]. For instance, Member States are encouraged to reprogram their Cohesion Policy programmes towards climate adaptation, particularly in high-risk regions.
- [1] 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).
- [2] The EU Solidarity Fund may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage.
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403236
- [4] Measures under the RESTORE priorities will benefit from an increased maximum co-financing rate of 95%, along with an additional pre-financing rate of 25%.
- [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (′European Climate Law′) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, pp. 1-17).
- [6] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
- [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024DC0091