First disbursements comprise €2.2 billion to Portugal, €770 million to Belgium and €12.1m to Luxembourg
The European Commission has doled out the first batch of payments for national reform and investment actions under the EU’s €750 billion Covid-19 recovery fund, Next Generation EU, some of which is being invested in R&D and education initiatives.
On 3 August the Commission said it had paid €2.2 billion to Portugal, €770 million to Belgium and €12.1m to Luxembourg in the form of “pre-financing”, which is meant to help these countries implement plans for their share of the fund.
The money makes up a small portion of the countries’ total funding, with the rest contingent on milestones agreed with the Commission. Portugal should receive a total of €16.6bn, Belgium €5.9bn and Luxembourg €93.4m. The funding is based on factors including countries’ populations and GDPs.
Portugal’s plan includes €130m to upgrade science facilities in secondary schools and universities in order to raise enrolment rates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) courses, with a particular focus on promoting gender equality and countering stereotypes in career choices.
Belgium’s plan similarly allocates €480 million to create a more inclusive education system with improved digital and Stem skills, while Luxembourg will invest in a national test laboratory to support research in quantum communication, according to its plan.
A Commission spokesperson told Research Professional News it intends to transfer money to more countries in August “as member states complete their relevant national procedures that allow them to finalise financing and loan agreements”.