#ficompass2021 Advancing financial instruments in the next programming period

fi-compass launched a dedicated webpage, which provides easy access to the resources relating to the implementation of financial instruments in the 2021-2027 programming period.

The #ficompass2021 webpage has been designed to be a one stop shop for 2021-2027 resources, including links to relevant regulations and fi-compass publications, including several important market studies in sectors including SMEs, energy efficiency, agriculture and agri-food and crowdfunding.

The European Commission has highlighted that financial instruments (including in combination with grants) will be an increasingly important tool to support investment under the 2021-2027 Multiannual financial framework (MFF), which has been boosted by the Next Generation EU recovery fund.

Financial instruments financed by ERDF and ESF + shared management resources will support investment in jobs and growth through support for research and innovation, digital transition, the European Green Deal, integrated and sustainable development and the promotion of social rights.

EAFRD and EMFF investments through financial instruments will be used to strengthen the resilience of the agri-food and fisheries sectors and provide the necessary scope for crisis management.

In order to enable Member States to mobilise their resources as quickly as possible, fi-compass has published a number of market studies in relation to key priority sectors for Cohesion policy. These studies are now presented, together with other relevant resources on the new fi-compass webpage entitled #ficompass2021 – One stop shop for 2021 resources.

Some of the key market studies featured on the #ficompass2021 webpage include:

• Energy Efficiency
  A newly published comprehensive study of the market failure in financing Energy Efficiency in the European Union, including a more in-depth study of 10 key Member States.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food
  Detailed analysis of the investment needs and market failure in the agriculture and agri-food sector for all 27 Member States.
• SME financing
  Including a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the market failures for loan and equity financing in each Member State.
• Social financing
  A factsheet entitled Supporting the development of Social Finance Ecosystems in Member States under ESF considers the experience in Portugal where a successful grant/financial instrument programme of investment has been established.
• Growth sectors
  The fi-compass Stocktaking study on financial instruments by sectors considers the potential for financial instruments to be used at greater volumes to support investment in sectors such as Research, Development and Innovation, Renewable Energy, the Environment and Urban Development and Transport.

The publication of these and other resources available on the #ficompass2021 webpage will provide inspiration and guidance to Member States seeking to explore the use of financial instruments in the 2021-2027 programming period. Importantly, the data and analysis in the reports will also provide Member States with a robust evidence base for the development of their ex-ante assessment into the proposed use of financial instruments.