Commission Implementing Decision on the financing of the Public Sector Loan Facility and the adoption of the multiannual work programme for the period 2026-2027

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union[1] (‘the Financial Regulation’), and in particular Article 110(1) thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1229 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 July 2021 on the public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism (‘the programme’)[2], and in particular Article 14 thereof

(1)       In order to ensure the implementation of the programme, it is necessary to adopt a multiannual financing decision, which is to constitute the multiannual work programme, for the period 2026-2027 in accordance with Article 110(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 (‘the Financial Regulation’).

(2)       The envisaged assistance is to comply with the conditions and procedures set out by the restrictive measures[1] adopted pursuant to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(3)       It is necessary to allow for the payment of interest due for late payment on the basis of Article 116(5) of the Financial Regulation.

(4)       In order to allow for flexibility in the implementation of the work programme, it is appropriate to determine the changes, which should not be considered substantial for the purposes of Article 110(5) of the Financial Regulation.

(5)       The activities should contribute to climate, biodiversity and gender-equality mainstreaming in line with the Commission Communication ‘The European Green Deal’[2] and the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources.

(6)       Pursuant to Article 62(1), first subparagraph, point (c), of the Financial Regulation, indirect management is to be used for the implementation of advisory support as specified in the work programme.

(7)       The Commission is to ensure a level of protection of the financial interests of the Union with regard to persons and entities entrusted with the implementation of Union funds by indirect management as provided for in Article 157(3) of the Financial Regulation. To that end, and before a contribution agreement can be signed, such persons and entities are to be subject to an assessment of their systems and procedures in accordance with Article 157(4) of the Financial Regulation and, if necessary, to appropriate supervisory measures in accordance with Article 157(5) of the Financial Regulation.

(8)       The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 115(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060,