on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF/2020/000 TA 2020 - Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission)

1.The contribution will be used for expenditure mentioned in Article 11(1) and (4) as well as Article 12(2), (3) and (4) of the EGF Regulation, as detailed hereunder.

In accordance with Article 11(1) of the EGF Regulation, a maximum of 0,5 % of the annual maximum amount of the EGF may be made available each year for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission.

The rules applicable to financial contributions from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) are laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2014-2020) and repealing Regulation (EC) 1927/2006 (the ‘EGF Regulation’).

·The Expert Group of Contact Persons of the EGF, with two members from each Member State, will be holding its two regular meetings (second half of 2020 and first half of 2021).

·In order to promote networking among the Member States, the Commission will organise two seminars with the participation of EGF implementing bodies and social partners. These will be scheduled to possibly take place around the same dates as the Expert Group meetings. The seminars will focus on the EGF ex-post evaluation and on the implementation of the post-2020 EGF Regulation.

·Information activities. The web site on the EGF, which the Commission has set up within its Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion area, and which it is maintaining as required under Article 12(2) of the EGF Regulation, will be regularly updated and expanded, with each new element also being translated into all EU languages. General awareness of the EGF will be increased and its visibility promoted. The EGF will be covered in various Commission publications and audio-visual activities as provided for in Article 11(4) of the EGF Regulation.

3.Technical support:

·Maintenance and updating of an electronic data exchange system. The Commission is continuing its work on standardised procedures for EGF applications and management, using the functionalities of the Shared Fund Management Common System (SFC), into which the EGF is being integrated. This allows applications under the EGF Regulation to be simplified, their processing to be speeded up and reports to be more easily extracted for varying needs. The SFC interface is also facilitating the EGF financial operations.

·Development of the post-2020 interface in SFC which will require additional funds for creation of new functionalities and adjustments to possible changes in the post-2020 EGF Regulation.

·Monitoring and data gathering. The Commission will collect data on applications received, paid and wound up, and measures proposed and implemented. This data will be made available on the web site and compiled in appropriate form for the Biennial Reports of 2021.

Financing

4.The maximum annual budget available for the EGF in 2020 is EUR 150 million in 2011 prices (EUR 179 264 000 in 2020 prices), as laid down in Article 12 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020.

5.Article 11(1) of the EGF Regulation states that 0,5 % of this amount can be made available for technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission. Currently, the entire amount for 2020 remains available; nothing has yet been allocated to technical assistance. The proposed amount corresponds to 0,19% of the maximum annual budget available for the EGF in 2020.

6.The proposed decision to mobilise the EGF will be taken jointly by the European Parliament and the Council, as laid down in point 13 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.

Related acts

7.At the same time as it presents this proposal for a decision to mobilise the EGF, the Commission will present to the European Parliament and to the Council a proposal for a transfer to the relevant budgetary line for the amount of EUR 345 000.

Source of payment appropriations

8.Appropriations from the EGF budget line will be used to cover the amount of EUR 345 000 needed for technical assistance.

Proposal for a