Prague – The European Union has allocated 75 percent of the subsidies for the Czech Republic for the 2021 to 2027 period. Out of the total 512.4 billion crowns, 384 billion crowns are earmarked for specific projects, but only 172 billion crowns have been disbursed to date. The Czech Republic has requested reimbursement of 131 billion crowns from the European Commission, as announced by the Ministry of Regional Development (MMR) in a recent press release.
The ministry reports that it has adhered to the spending limit established by the n+3 rule, which mandates that funds allocated for a given year must be utilized within the subsequent three calendar years. As the spending limit has been met, the MMR asserts that there is no risk of the Czech Republic having to return any funds to the EU budget.
“We are effectively funding regional development projects throughout the Czech Republic. The data indicate that the system is functioning well. We are complying with European spending limits without issue, and thus, we will not be returning funds to Brussels,” stated Minister for Regional Development Zuzana Mrázová (ANO).
European funds have supported various initiatives, including the Salvage project at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute in Brno, which aims to enhance cancer disease prevention using innovative technologies and methodologies. EU funds have allocated a total of 488 million crowns for connecting research with clinical practice. Additionally, the municipalities of Rapotín, Petrov nad Desnou, and Vikýřovice in the Šumperk region have utilized European funding, in partnership with the Morava River Basin Authority, to implement flood control measures on the Desná River, with 322 million crowns contributing to the development of an oxbow lake, pools, and floodplain parks.
According to a report from the MMR published last spring regarding the risks and strategies for implementing EU funds, the Czech Republic needs to expedite the drawing of European subsidies from certain operational programs by 2025. Failing to do so may result in the loss of allocated funds. This concern primarily pertains to the Just Transition operational program, aimed at improving conditions in regions heavily reliant on coal mining. Delays in drawing from this program could mean a potential loss of between one and four billion crowns. (16 January)
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