Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: application EGF/2025/009 BE/Soliver - Belgium
The European Parliament adopted by 602 votes to 47, with 11 abstentions, a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in respect of workers’ displacements in Soliver NV in Belgium - EGF/2025/009 BE/Soliver.
As a reminder, the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 22 December 2025 and following the receipt of additional information, the Commission finalised its assessment, almost one month ahead of the deadline, on 30 April 2026 and notified it to Parliament on the same day.
Parliament approved the proposal for a decision to mobilise the EGF to provide a financial contribution of EUR 2 132 535 in commitment and payment appropriations from the EU budget for the financial year 2026, in response to the request submitted by Belgium following 803 redundancies in Soliver (manufacturer of high-tech automotive glass).
The contribution represents 85% of the total cost of EUR 2 508 865, comprising expenditure for personalised services of EUR 2 412 465 and expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities of EUR 96 400.
Events leading to redundancies
Soliver, a manufacturer of glass products for construction and the automotive sector, shifted its focus to exclusively high-tech automotive glass after its acquisition by American Glass Products Holding (AGP) in 2018. The company began experiencing difficulties mainly linked to a downturn in the automotive sector, stemming from delayed production of car models its products were intended for, and which ultimately resulted in severe reduction of profitability and cumulated in bankruptcy.
Beneficiaries
The application relates to 803 targeted beneficiaries, made redundant in the company Soliver. The resolution regretted that the rise in bankruptcies over the past few years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in the region of Flanders. The older workers in this region face greater barriers to re-entering the labour market. Therefore, Parliament called on the Belgian authorities to provide specific support tailored to help workers further develop necessary skills to find new quality jobs.
Personalised services
The personalised services to be provided to workers include the following measures: (i) task force of experienced consultants and account managers; (ii) providing personalised advisory services; (iii) outplacement services providing individual guidance; (iv) assistance in finding a job; (v) reinforced job-search assistance; (vi) training and re-training; (vii) participation at job fairs.
Belgium started providing both personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries and incurring administrative expenditure to implement the EGF on 11 June 2025 and the period of eligibility for a financial contribution from the EGF will therefore be from that date until 24 months and until 31 months after the date of the entry into force of the financing decision, respectively.
Lastly, Parliament noted that the Belgian authorities provided assurance that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in the access to the proposed actions and their implementation, and that any double financing will be prevented. Assistance from the EGF must not replace actions that are the responsibility of public authorities or companies under national law or collective agreements.