The European Commission supports national and regional authorities managing EU funds to strengthen their State aid competencies. The correct application of State aid rules can be challenging but is essential for the functioning of the Single Market, for avoiding irregularities and financial corrections and, ultimately, for quality investments.
The European Commission has modernised the State aid rules by making them less bureaucratic and more transparent. However, the changes place greater responsibility on Member States for designing and implementing state aid measures. This requires particular attention and continuous effort in increasing awareness.
Furthermore, state aid is covered amongst the horizontal enabling conditions that Member States need to fulfil under the Common Provisions Regulation 2021-2027. The correct application of these conditions would ensure the effective and efficient use of Union support, including the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
To support Member States and strengthen their administrative capacity in the field of state aid, DG Regional and Urban Policy and DG Competition have developed a joint State aid Action Plan 2023-2027.
The Plan identifies various actions to build up State aid knowledge and expertise of national, regional and local authorities involved in the implementation of the Funds, as well as dissemination of relevant good practices.
Support available for Member States:
These trainings are provided to participants from ERDF, CF, JTF and ESF Managing Authorities, Intermediate Bodies and Audit Authorities. Training material and video recording of the courses are available online for those who are not able to attend.
Peer 2 Peer facilitates exchanges, including exchanges on state aid matters, between the national and regional bodies that manage and administer funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),the Cohesion Fund, and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
The REGIO community of practitioners on State aid is a network of State aid practitioners from different Member States who are involved in managing EU funding under the ERDF, the Cohesion fund, and the Cohesion Fund, and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The community members discuss shared state aid issues and learn from each other's experience.
