The European Union (EU) Commission has given a unified nod to a funding request of an approximate €122.3 million from Estonia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, a vital part of NextGenerationEU.
The dedicated endorsement follows a cautious review of Estonia’s payment request, submitted on the 18th of December 2023, and recognition of the Baltic nation’s successful attainment of the 15 milestones and 3 targets stipulated in the Council Implementing Decision for the third installment.
This request encompasses vital strides towards executing 11 reforms and six investments. These steps are anticipated to usher a positive transformation for both the nation’s citizens and business domain, primarily in digitalization, sustainable mobility, clean energy, energy efficiency, healthcare, long-term care, and social protection sectors.
Among the many flagship provisions, two fundamental sectors that have seen a massive push are the digitalization of public services and Estonia’s green transition.
Digital services in Estonia are witnessing an impressive metamorphosis. With reduced administrative burden, citizens and businesses will experience enhanced access to digital public services. In addition to the digital registration of marriage, this funding request also introduces a variety of digital services marking the birth of a child. The IT underpinning these e-Government services has been substantially upgraded, ensuring better efficacy and reliability for its users.
Likewise, Estonia’s green transition has received considerable backing in this funding request. Specifically, the allocation for the installation and trial of hydrogen value chains, from production to consumption, will decidedly energize Estonia’s green transition. This will provide the energy-intensive industries such as transport and chemicals a much-needed boost by ensuring increased production and supply of renewable, clean energy. With the implementation of hydrogen technologies, Estonia can take significant strides towards the production and storage of clean energy, fostering a greener and sustainable nation.
The Commission has now conveyed its initial assessment of Estonia’s accomplishment of the milestones and targets to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC). The EFC now has four weeks to share its opinion. Following the EFC’s opinion and the adoption of a payment decision by the Commission, the payment to Estonia is expected to occur.
