Solidarity Fund of the European Union
The European Union Solidarity Fund provides financial assistance following major natural disasters and, since 2020, also in the event of large-scale public health emergencies. Applications must be submitted by national authorities within 12 weeks of the initial damage.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Solidarity Fund is intended to provide grants for immediate measures in the event of large-scale natural disasters, regional natural disasters at the NUTS-2 level, as well as major public health emergencies. It supports the reconstruction of destroyed public infrastructures (energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications, transport, health, education), the provision of emergency shelters and relief services, the protection of cultural heritage, the cleanup of affected areas, and measures for the prevention, monitoring, or control of serious health risks.
Eligible expenses
- Reconstruction of public infrastructures in the areas of energy supply, water/sewage, telecommunications, transport, health, education
- Provision of emergency shelters and financing of aid and rescue services
- Securing protective facilities and measures to safeguard cultural heritage
- Cleaning of affected areas and natural spaces
- Prevention, monitoring, and control of the spread of diseases
Non-eligible expenses
- Long-term reconstruction of infrastructure and economy
- Compensation for private losses
- Insurable damages
- Investments in preventive measures
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Member state of the European Union or accession country
- Application by the competent national authority
- Damage threshold for major disaster: at least 0.6% of GNI or €3 billion (2011 prices)
- Damage threshold for regional disaster: more than 1.5% of regional GDP at NUTS-2 level (1% for outermost regions)
- Damage threshold for health emergency: at least 0.3% of GNI or €1.5 billion (2011 prices)
Documents required for application
- Cover letter from the competent national authority
- Completed application form
- Proof of date of first damages
- Damage reports and financial proof of damages
- Agreement with the European Commission
Description
The European Union Solidarity Fund supports competent national authorities in EU Member States and accession countries with non-repayable grants to manage severe natural disasters at the national level (damage threshold: ≥ 0.6% of GNI or €3 billion) as well as at the NUTS-2 level (damage threshold: > 1.5% of regional GDP, 1% for outermost regions). Since 2020, the Fund also applies to major public health emergencies (damage threshold: ≥ 0.3% of GNI or €1.5 billion). Funding is granted for earmarked immediate measures to restore public infrastructures (energy, water/sewage, telecommunications, transport, health, education), finance emergency shelters and rescue services, secure protective measures for cultural heritage, clean affected areas, or minimize health risks through prevention, monitoring, and control.
Applications must be submitted by national authorities to the European Commission within 12 weeks of the first damage occurrence. The project duration is limited to 18 months, and funds are available up to an annual ceiling of €500 million (2011 prices). Only immediate and emergency measures are eligible; private property damage, insurable damages, and longer-term infrastructure and economic recovery projects are excluded. The application must include, among other documents, an official letter, damage evidence, and an agreement with the Commission. Thus, the Fund provides rapid financial support to address the immediate consequences of disasters or major health crises and to enable swift restoration of public services.