State aid: Commission approves €13 million Danish scheme to support large events suppliers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €13 million Danish scheme to support large events suppliers affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Danish government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The public support will be open to suppliers of large events with at least 350 expected attendees that faced a decline in turnover over 2021. The measure aims at mitigating the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing and at addressing part of the losses they incurred due to the inability to sign contracts with organisers of large events, scheduled to take place between May and September 2021, because of the risk of cancellation linked to the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Danish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000 per company active in the primary production of agriculture products, €270,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector, and €1.8 million per company active in other sectors; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.64159 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.