NextGenerationEU: Positive preliminary assessment of Estonia’s request for a €286 million disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

The European Commission has today endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Estonia’s payment request for €286 million of grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. The request combines two instalments of €143 million each.

On 30 June 2023, Estonia submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the 28 milestones and 1 target selected in the  Council Implementing Decision for the first payment request, which included both the first and second instalment. These instalments cover reforms and investments related to energy, green and digital transition, labour market, health and long-term care, green skills, innovation and transport, as well as Estonia’s audit and control system for the implementation of the RRF.

With their request, the Estonian authorities provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the fulfilment of the 28 milestones and 1 target. The Commission has thoroughly assessed this information before presenting its positive preliminary assessment of the payment request.

The Estonian modified national recovery and resilience plan, together with the REPowerEU chapter, includes a wide range of investment and reform measures in seven thematic components. The plan will be supported by €953 million in grants, 13% of which (€126 million) was disbursed to Estonia in pre-financing on 17 December 2021.

Payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Member States implementing the investments and reforms outlined in their respective recovery and resilience plans.

Next steps

The Commission has now sent its positive preliminary assessment of Estonia’s fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC’s opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, in accordance with the examination procedure, through a comitology committee. Following the adoption of the decision by the Commission, the disbursement to Estonia can take place.

The Commission will assess further payment requests by Estonia based on the fulfilment of the milestones and targets outlined in the Council Implementing Decision, reflecting progress on the implementation of the investments and reforms.

The amounts disbursed to the Member States are published in the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard, which shows progress of the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans.

Members of the College said

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Good news for Estonia today: the Commission examined the first set of reforms and investments it has carried out under its recovery and resilience plan, and concluded that the conditions are met to pay €286 million to Estonia. Member States will now have to confirm our assessment. Progress is concrete: Estonia has been greening its energy sector and boosting its workforce’s digital skills. Estonia has also taken steps to improve access to healthcare in rural areas and to strengthen businesses’ global competitiveness. We will continue to support Estonia on the implementation of the plan. Well done, hästi tehtud!”