EU Redirecting Significant Funds to Help Ukrainian Refugees

The Council of the European Union has adopted legislative amendments making it possible for member states to redirect resources from cohesion policy funds and the Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD) to assist Ukrainian refugees.

“The swift amendment of the legislation on EU funds is a clear statement of the EU’s continued solidarity with the refugees from Ukraine and with the member states hosting them, in particular those sharing borders with Ukraine,” reads the statement by the Council of EU.

As noted, the adopted decision is an important step in ensuring member states have sufficient resources to meet the growing needs for housing, education, and healthcare.

The changes include exceptional flexibility to transfer resources between programmes financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund to address the inflow of refugees.

It is estimated that about €17 billion will be allocated to help those escaping the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

Bohdan Marusyak