Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: technical assistance
The European Parliament adopted by 532 votes to 64, with 62 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 for Displaced Workers at the initiative of the Commission (EGF/2026/000 TA 2026 - Technical assistance).
Parliament approved the decision to mobilise, within the Union's general budget for 2026, an amount of EUR 210 000 in commitment and payment appropriations from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for displaced workers.
Regulation (EU) 2021/691 provides that a maximum of 1.5 % of the annual maximum amount of the EGF may be used each year for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission. This assistance is necessary to fulfil obligations relating to the implementation of the EGF, in particular concerning monitoring and data gathering as well as communication activities and those enhancing the EGF’s visibility.
In its resolution, Parliament, while agreeing with the mobilisation of EUR 210 000, it stressed that technical assistance expenditure should remain proportionate, efficient and focused on activities that demonstrably improve access to support for displaced workers and the overall effectiveness of the EGF. It noted that the Commission will use the available budget under the administrative support for holding meetings of the Expert Group of Contact Persons of the EGF (two members from each Member State) and one seminar with the participation of the implementing bodies of the EGF and social partners in order to promote networking among Member States. It called on the Commission to continue to invite Parliament systematically to these meetings and seminars, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Framework Agreement on relations between Parliament and the Commission.
The resolution underlined the need to further strengthen the general awareness and the visibility of the EGF and welcomed in this context the maintenance of the dedicated website for the EGF. Members highlighted the need to further simplify the EGF application procedure and to continue reducing administrative burdens and shorten the time between application and the delivery of support to beneficiaries while ensuring full transparency and budgetary scrutiny of the European Parliament as one arm of the budgetary authority.
The EGF should continue to prioritise training and reskilling measures for displaced workers, offering training pathways and qualifications that facilitate their reintegration into the labour market.
Lastly, expenditure financed under technical assistance should be subject to rigorous monitoring and regular evaluation in order to ensure sound financial management, cost-effectiveness and tangible added value for Member States and beneficiaries. The Commission should provide detailed information on the use of technical assistance resources and on the concrete outcomes achieved through the activities financed.