Prague – In 2023, the funding allocated for directly managed EU programs in the Czech Republic decreased by approximately 600 million crowns (23.9 million euros), bringing the total to 10.8 billion CZK (428.6 million euros). These programs, which are overseen directly by the European Commission, attract applicants from across the European Union. Notable examples of such programs include Erasmus+, the largest European education initiative, and Horizon Europe, a prominent research program. This information is detailed in a report that will be reviewed by the government on Wednesday. It’s important to note that the figures reflect binding agreements rather than actual expenditures.
The report indicates that the Czech Republic faces challenges in accessing funds from these directly managed programs, primarily due to the intricate administrative processes involved in project preparation, intense competition among applicants, and a lack of administrative resources. Notably, the country has had relative success with the Erasmus+ program and the European Solidarity Corps, both of which aim to engage young people in beneficial public projects.
In the previous year, the Czech Republic secured 2.4 billion crowns (93.5 million euros) in support for Erasmus+, marking an increase of nearly 300 million crowns compared to 2022. Conversely, funding for the European Solidarity Corps amounted to 83 million crowns (3.3 million euros), which represents a decrease of 10 million crowns year-on-year. The administration of these programs is handled by national agencies, with the House of Foreign Cooperation managing Erasmus+.
Moreover, the Czech Republic has successfully tapped into the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund to bolster immigration support. The country received binding commitments of nearly 1.4 billion CZK (about 55 million euros) for projects under this fund in 2022. This surge in funding coincided with the onset of the war in Ukraine, which led to a significant influx of Ukrainian refugees into the Czech Republic. In contrast, only 14.7 million CZK (583,000 euros) were allocated to this fund in the prior year.
Furthermore, the Czech Republic has actively drawn from the Connecting Europe Facility, a program focused on enhancing transport infrastructure. In 2023, the country secured support for transport projects amounting to 9.8 billion CZK (390 million euros), which is an increase of one billion crowns compared to the previous year. The report also highlights that the Czech Republic has made progress in securing funds from the LIFE program, aimed at promoting a sustainable economy reliant on renewable energy sources, as well as from the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program and the Creative Europe program which supports cultural initiatives. (January 7)
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