New guidance from the European Commission shows how state aid rules allow EU member states to provide social support and social investment.
This guidance assists member states in designing State aid measures for social support and social investment, as set out in the Clean Industrial Deal. It brings together for the first time available information on State aid for social support and social investments. It presents key state aid instruments and measures that allow national authorities to support social objectives, including: aid for Services of general economic interest to finance public service obligations entrusted to one or more service providers; aid for employing workers with disadvantages or disabilities, training aid and knowledge measures benefitting employees; support to households for energy efficiency measures; and selected measures with social benefit, including aid to SMEs and startups.
The guidance provides general information on public support measures that do not constitute state aid and explains what types of state aid are allowed under EU rules. It is a ‘living tool’ and will be updated when state aid rules change. This will be done, for example, when the Commission adopts an updated General Block Exemption Regulation.
Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera said: “The guidance published today shows the vast options that national authorities can consider for supporting diverse social objectives under EU State aid rules. Our guidance also shows possibilities for State aid that national authorities can implement directly, without any involvement of the Commission. It will facilitate public financing reaching swiftly those who are in need.”
A press release is available online.
