Accelerating implementation of Strategic Projects
1. The Commission shall carry out activities, where appropriate in cooperation with Member States, to accelerate and crowd-in private investments in Strategic Projects. Such activities may, without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 TFEU, include providing and coordinating support to Strategic Projects that face difficulties in accessing finance.
2. The Member State whose territory is concerned by a Strategic Project shall take measures to facilitate its timely and effective implementation. Those measures may include assistance to:
(a)
ensure compliance with applicable administrative and reporting obligations;
(b)
further increase the ability of project promoters to ensure the meaningful involvement and active participation of the communities affected by the Strategic Project.
Coordination of financing
1. The standing subgroup established pursuant to Article 36(8), point (a) shall, at the request of a project promoter of a Strategic Project, discuss and provide advice on how the financing of its project can be completed, taking into account the funding already secured and considering at least the following elements:
(a)
additional private sources of financing;
(b)
support through resources from the European Investment Bank Group or other international financial institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development;
(c)
existing Member State instruments and programmes, including from export credit agencies, national promotional banks and institutions;
(d)
relevant Union funding and financing programmes, with a particular focus on the Global Gateway Initiative for Strategic Projects in third countries or in OCTs.
2. By 24 May 2026, the Commission shall, on the basis of the advice of the standing subgroup referred to in Article 36(8), point (a), submit a report to the Board describing obstacles to accessing finance for Strategic Projects and recommendations to facilitate such access.
Facilitating offtake agreements
1. The Commission shall set up a system to facilitate the conclusion of offtake agreements related to Strategic Projects, in accordance with competition rules.
2. The system referred to in paragraph 1 shall allow potential offtakers to make bids indicating:
(a)
the volume and quality of strategic raw materials they intend to purchase;
(b)
the intended price or price range;
(c)
the intended duration of the offtake agreement.
3. The system referred to in paragraph 1 shall allow project promoters of Strategic Projects to make offers indicating:
(a)
the volume and quality of strategic raw materials for which they are seeking to conclude off-take agreements;
(b)
the intended price or price range at which they are willing to sell;
(c)
the intended duration of the offtake agreement.
4. On the basis of the bids and offers received pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3, the Commission shall bring project promoters of Strategic Projects in contact with potential offtakers relevant for their project.
Online accessibility of administrative information
1. Member States shall provide the following information on administrative processes relevant to critical raw material projects online, and in a centralised and easily accessible manner:
(a)
the information referred to in Article 9(2);
(b)
the permit-granting process and related administrative processes required for obtaining the relevant permits;
(c)
financing and investment services;
(d)
funding possibilities at Union or Member State level;
(e)
business support services, including but not limited to corporate tax declaration, local tax laws or labour law.
2. The Commission shall, in a centralised and easily accessible manner, provide online information on administrative processes relevant to the recognition of Strategic Projects and on the benefits of such recognition.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
