Guidance on State aid in European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds Financial instruments in the 2014-2020 programming period
Compliance with State aid rules is of utmost importance for preserving a functioning internal market. It is the application of State aid rules which encourages economic efficiency and avoids that public support unduly distorts competition which would be to the detriment of the Union as a whole. State aid is an essential instrument for creating and maintaining a level playing field for all companies. It is therefore necessary that Member States ensure compliance with State aid rules when Member States give aid through financial instruments (co-)financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds.
The purpose of this Staff Working Document is to facilitate the application of State aid rules in the field of financial instruments and to point to different possibilities of achieving State aid compliance.