The European Commission approved this Tuesday a series of 151 reform projects in the 27 Member States, including 18 in Portugal, for funding in 2023, under the Technical Assistance Instrument (IAT), with a budget of €115 million.
According to a community executive statement, the IAT should support all member states “in the preparation, design and implementation of up to 326 innovative reforms by 2023”, building on the success of the previous Structural Reform Support Programme.
Projects eligible for IAT support in Portugal include the sectors of public administration, the financial sector, education systems, social services, support for vulnerable children and ecological transition.
Speaking at a press conference, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, stressed that “In 2023, the IAT will be essential to contribute to a competitive zero-net-emissions economy, strengthen the skills and capacity of public administrations, and revitalize communities in on a regional and local level.
The technical assistance instrument is the EU program – included in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – which makes specific technical expertise available to Member States to design and implement reforms.
Aid is granted on demand and does not require co-financing from the 27 and is presented by Brussels as “an important pillar of the EU initiative to help Member States mitigate the economic and social consequences of the crisis caused by the Covid-19.” .
For example, support can take the form of strategic and legal advice, studies, training and field visits by experts, covering every stage of the reform process, from preparation and design to reform development and implementation.
For its seven-year validity, the IAT has a budget of 864 million euros.
Source: DN
