MEPs want to ensure sufficient funding for Connecting Europe’s future

Connecting Europe Facility The proposal to renew the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) between 2021 and 2027 to ensure continued development of trans-European transport, energy and telecom networks was approved by 434 votes to 134 against, and 37 abstentions. A total budget of €43.85 billion in constant (2018) prices should be reserved for the Connecting Europe Facility, of which €33.51 billion will go to transport projects, €7.68 billion will fund energy network projects and €2.66 billion will be reserved for digital network development. For more details on the vote on the Connecting Europe Facility, read the full press release here. A €11.5 billion European Defence Fund The proposal for the European Defence Fund for 2021-2027 financing to foster innovation was approved by 337 votes to 178 against, and 109 abstentions. MEPs approved the proposal to allocate €11.5 billion in 2018 prices (€13 billion in current prices) to the EU Defence Fund for 2021-2027, aiming for a more ‘European’ approach to defence. MEPs agreed that it will provide €3.62 billion in 2018 prices (€4.1 billion in current prices) to directly finance competitive and collaborative research projects, in particular through grants. Beyond the research phase, €7.84 billion in 2018 prices (€8.9 billion in current prices) will be available to complement member states’ investment by co-financing the costs for prototype development and the ensuing certification and testing requirements. For more details on the vote on the European Defence Fund, read the full press release here. Financing Horizon Europe research programme The proposal for the 2021-2027 Horizon Europe rules for participation and desemination was approved by 548 votes to 70 against, and 49 abstentions. The proposal for the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe was approved by 569 votes to 74 against, and 20 abstentions Parliament asked for an additional €36.5 billion (compared to the European Commission’s proposal) to be added to the programme budget, bringing the total to €120 billion in 2018 prices (€135.25 billion in current prices). The Parliament wants to prioritise programmes that include women, SMEs or participants from lower-performing EU countries when deciding on two equally strong applications. For more details on the Horizon Europe programme, read the full press release here Financing green objectives through the LIFE programme The proposal for the LIFE programme for 2021-2027 financing of environmental and climate objectives was approved by 580 votes to 41 against, and 45 abstentions. MEPs propose to double funding for the LIFE programme compared to the last 7-year period. The total financial envelope foreseen is €6.44 billion in 2018 prices (€7.27 billion euros in current prices compared to the Commission’s proposal of €5.45 billion). The EU programme for the environment and climate action will contribute to mainstreaming climate action and to reaching an overall target of at least 25% of the EU’s budget expenditure supporting climate objectives over the 2021-2027 period.