Report on the activities of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in 2012

Summary:

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was set up by Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 to show solidarity with, and provide support to, workers made redundant as a consequence of major structural changes in world trade patterns. It was designed as a means of reconciling the overall long-term benefits of open trade in terms of growth and employment with the short-term adverse effects which globalisation may have, particularly on the employment of the most vulnerable and lowest-skilled workers. The EGF co-finances active labour market policy measures organised by the Member States to help the redundant workers re-position themselves on the labour market and find new jobs.

Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 requires the Commission to send to the European Parliament and to the Council each year a quantitative and qualitative report on the activities of the EGF in the previous year. The report should focus mainly on the results achieved by the EGF and should, in particular, contain information relating to applications submitted, decisions adopted and actions funded, including their complementarity with actions funded by the Structural Funds, in particular the European Social Fund (ESF), and the winding-up of financial contributions made. It should also document requests that were refused owing to a lack of sufficient appropriations or to non-eligibility.